As expected, Mike Aviles was named the starting shortstop in Boston to begin the season. His main assets are his contact rate (86 percent career) and his speed. Aviles has stolen 14 bases each of the past two years, and did so in just 286 at-bats last year. A consistently low walk rate makes getting on base a struggle, though, which could eventually cut into his playing time somewhat. At this point, though, that doesn't seem to be a major concern, as manager Bobby Valentine is thinking of using Aviles in the leadoff spot.

Both Pedro Alvarez and Lonnie Chisenhall entered March as their teams’ Opening Day 3B favorites, but their spring performances haven’t cooperated. Thames wins TOR’s LF job, and more observations as April approaches …

Minnesota OF Josh Willingham will be shifted from right to left field, where he has played most often during his career, manager Ron Gardenhire announced March 25. The fallout from the move may impact the playing time of some of Willingham's OF colleagues.

Chris Johnson has reclaimed the Astros' third-base job while trying to make sense of his Jekyll and Hyde 2010 and 2011. We also take a look at developments in the Angels' and Rangers' rotations and some injury updates for prominent hurlers.

Joakim Soria (RHP, KC) is headed for season-ending Tommy John surgery, due to the right elbow ligament damage cited by BaseballHQ.com analyst Jock Thompson in his detailed March 20 PTT coverage. KC has yet to reveal Soria's replacement as closer. The situation could be fluid, as KC's bullpen is deep in replacement candidates, headed by Greg Holland (RHP, KC) and Jonathon Broxton (RHP, KC).

Despite a March that might suggest otherwise, the Cubs insisted this week that Bryan LaHair (1B, CHC) is the best choice to open the season as their starting first baseman. Mirroring comments made when Anthony Rizzo (1B, CHC) was acquired this offseason from the Padres, GM Jed Hoyer stated that LaHair will be in lineup against the Nationals on April 5, and Rizzo will be at Triple-A Iowa. The performance of both players this spring have tested Hoyer's resolve: LaHair is 7-for-37 with one extra-base hit and 14 strikeouts; Rizzo is 12-for-32 with 2 HR.

Daniel Bard (RHP, BOS) has struggled in spring training, with a 7.11 ERA, ten walks, and only six strikeouts in 12.2 IP. Word out of Boston is that the Red Sox may abandon their plan to move Bard to the rotation and return him to the pen. If that happens, it seems likely that Felix Doubront (LHP, BOS) and Alfredo Aceves (RHP, BOS) would claim the final two rotation spots.

After taking a bad hop ground ball off of his face, Miguel Cabrera (1B/3B, DET) received eight stitches and was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the orbital floor in his right eye. He will not take part in any baseball activities for a week, at which point he will be re-evaluated. He is currently expected to be ready for Opening Day, but it is certainly a situation worth monitoring, and may complicate things a bit for those with drafts in the next few days.

In spite of his power outage, defensive inadequacies, and miserable spring, the Angels are publicly upbeat about Bobby Abreu. But on the eve of Kendry Morales' spring debut, how long does this last? Plus injury news on Soria, Utley and more ...

Manager Bob Melvin is about to name an A's closer, but it won't be Joey Devine -- at least for now. Also notes on Carlos Quentin's vacated playing time and the ongoing WAS OF/1B issues ...

Devin Mesoraco (C, CIN) is considered a top catching prospect by most minor-league scouts. Ryan Hanigan (C, CIN) hits league-average with little power, but provides experience and consistent production. Who will win the fight for playing time?