Under-the-radar Andy Dirks (DH, DET) has taken advantage of his early opportunities in Motown. Can he continue to make an impact? We also take a look at some ailing pitchers in LAA and MIN, some scuffling OF in CIN, and a few significant injury updates.

There is never a good time to suffer an injury to a starting pitcher because of the lack of replacement options, but early in the season you do have a few more choices. Thus getting the jump on the potential injury situation is important. Here is a look at a handful of starters and their early season struggles. Are they struggling early on due to some sort of hidden injury or just early season rust?

CLE has signed free agent Johnny Damon (DH/OF, CLE) in an effort to boost its struggling offense. CLE's .176 BA and .617 OPS rank last in the AL through the season's first week. While qualifying initially only at DH in most formats, Damon is likely to become CLE's primary LF and leadoff hitter, though incumbent LF Shelley Duncan is likely to find AB vs. RHP at any of LF, 1B or DH.

Miguel Olivo (C, SEA) was back behind the plate on Thursday, a day after taking his first rest of the season on Wednesday, yielding to Jesus Montero (C/DH, SEA). The Mariners got a good night out of John Jaso (C, SEA) on Wednesday, who served as the DH and got two hits in four AB. With both Montero, 22, and Jaso, 28, one wonders if Olivo's playing time could be at risk as we get further into the season.

Opening with three kings: Oakland to face Felix Hernandez for a third time already when they play Seattle on Friday.

[FREE] Dustin Moseley's (RHP, SD) MRI on his sore shoulder came back much worse than expected, and with Tim Stauffer (RHP, SD) still on DL, the Padres have been forced to change their rotation for their final game in Arizona and their upcoming series with the Dodgers. Moseley's MRI showed "extensive damage," and while no timetable has been set for his return, it is clear that he's likely to miss far more than the minimum 15 DL days.

This NL Weekend Series Matchup column previews seven three-game series and one four-game set.

David Wright was initially listed in the April 10 lineup, but was later scratched due to a swollen pinkie. Results of the x-rays aren't yet known, but the swollen finger is currently making it difficult for him to swing the bat. Ronny Cedeno, who had made just three previous starts at third base in his career, took Wright's spot in the lineup, and would be among the candidates to see increased playing time should Wright miss any additional time.

Michael Saunders has another MLB starting shot only because of Franklin Gutierrez' injury. But their recent performances suggest that questions may remain after Gutierrez returns in a few weeks ...

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.

This NL Series Matchups column previews eight different NL series, all beginning on Monday and wrapping up by Thursday.