What began as faint rumblings that we initially passed off as "spring-training noise" has proven to be anything but: The man getting the ball in the ninth inning for the White Sox—at least initially—would seem to be the least-skilled and least-experienced of all the candidates.

On Opening Day 2012, Andres Torres (OF, NYM) re-aggravated a calf injury forcing him to the DL. The Mets called up 24 year-old prospect Kirk Nieuwenhuis to fill that roster spot, hoping he can provide quality starts in CF. He will have his opportunity to prove his value in the coming weeks...will he be able to earn playing time over Scott Hairston (OF, NYM) and even Torres upon his return?

Season-opening DL stints are affecting starting rotations and early-season lineups. Scott Baker (RHP, MIN), Tim Stauffer (RHP, SD) and Jed Lowrie (SS, HOU) are among those who began the season on the DL.

New manager Robin Ventura announced that his 2012 lineup would include Brent Morel (3B, CHW) batting second and A.J. Pierzynski (C, CHW) in the five-hole. While Morel showed improved contact skills (86%) in 2011, the extra plate appearances may not result in much added production.

Brad Brach is a surprise cut as SD pares down for Opening Day. Pre-season sleeper Everth Cabrera's demotion is less of a shock, but don't sleep on Jesus Guzman. Boston's new closer and more ...

Kyle Farnsworth (RHP, TAM) was scheduled to see a doctor about his ailing elbow April 4, which obviously puts his availability for Opening Day very much in doubt. While nothing is official yet, all reports and signs are suggesting that the Rays will be looking for someone else to handle ninth inning duties to begin the year. Joel Peralta (RHP, TAM), who saved six games last season, including four in September while Farnsworth was sidelined, appears to be the most logical candidate.

Frank Francisco (RHP, NYM) has been his team's favorite to close for the past two seasons, only to lose the job early due to health and / or performance issues. Is it happening again?

The Red Sox have finally determined who will open the season as the fourth and fifth members of their rotation. But fear not for the fantasy value of one of the runners-up, who may become the source of some early season saves.

The Orioles placed Alfredo Simon (RHP, BAL) on waivers Saturday, clearing up some questionmarks about the team's starting rotation, while also freeing up space on BAL's 40-man roster for additional offense. Simon compiled pedestrian stats in 16 starts for the Orioles in 2011 with a 6.6 Dom and 3.1 Ctl. However, his xERA (4.18) and slight uptick in Cmd from 2010 to 2011 (1.7 to 2.1) provides hints of usefulness.

Manager Joe Girardi's recent remarks that the loser in the starting rotation competition is not guaranteed a bullpen spot merely added fuel to recent media speculation that off-season acquisition Michael Pineda (RHP, NYY) might begin the season in Triple-A. While Pineda's 2011 skills clearly rank him as one of NYY's top rotation options, he reported to spring training camp overweight and has shown less velocity than during his rookie season with SEA.

Along with the regular season's first real game comes the regular season's first injury. Mike Carp (OF/1B, SEA) sprained his shoulder in Wednesday's opener in Japan. It was enough to send Carp to the DL. Carp 's surprising 2011 MLB production in his first extended look (290 AB) was due in part to high hit and hr/f rates (35%, 18%). Still, he had won the LF job in spring training and at 25 and with some pop (12 HR, 136 PX in 2011) he held, and still holds, some promise.