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Anthony Castrovince has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2004.
 | The good news is that the Indians have better reason to feel comfortable about the state of their starting-pitching depth now than they did going into the season. The bad news is they already have pretty ample reason to consider dipping into it.
More» Salazar whiffs 10 in just 3 2/3 innings |
 | There is little doubt that proper pitch-framing can impact the outcome of an at-bat. And there is equally little doubt that some advanced mathematical minds are doing great work in compiling data illustrating that impact. But the practice is still viewed as an art that's tough to tabulate.
More» Scherzer's scoreless outing in '14 debut |
 | Now that he's about to take the mound for his next start, let's stop discussing the "pine" in Pineda and talk about Michael Pineda himself. Because if his early April output is any indication, he just might be -- all pine tar drama aside -- one of the best stories in baseball this season. And the Yankees, frankly, might need him to be.
More» Pineda strikes out seven in Stadium debut |
 | Jackie Robinson's Negro League experience often gets overlooked when we reflect on his baseball career, as we do here on the 67th anniversary of his Major League debut.
More» Jackie Robinson |
 | Baseball never ceases to surprise us. And while many of the surprises early in 2014 have been of the injury variety, some unexpected positives have played out, too. Here are 10 of the most pleasant surprises from the season's first two weeks.
More» Utley hits a go-ahead homer in the 8th |
 | Instant replay has shined new light on bench coaches' responsibilities, which adds to the unheralded-but-essential role of the managers' right-hand men.
More»Bowa on replay expansion in 2014 |
 | As Rays pitcher Matt Moore contemplates what to do about his torn ulnar collateral ligament, an injury likely to make him the 13th pitcher on a Major League roster to receive Tommy John surgery since the start of Spring Training, the unfortunate truth is that today's pitchers are little more than guinea pigs in an industry that, in spite of good data and better intentions, has not done a thing to decrease the number of DL days.
More»Impact of Matt Moore's injury on the Rays' rotation |
 | Following a breakout season in 2012, Chase Headley's production fell off last season due to injuries. Now in the final season of his contract, the third baseman and the Padres have started slowly, fueling speculation Headley could be dealt at the Trade Deadline.
More» Headley dives, throws out runner at first |
 | The final flurry of Opening Day settings across Major League Baseball have arrived, with the Giants, Phillies, Braves and Mariners all scheduled to play their long-awaited home openers today. What better time to react -- or overreact? -- to the first earnest week of action?
More»Trumbo hits four homers in four games |
 | In Max Scherzer, James Shields and Justin Masterson, we have three ace-type arms from the American League Central's three most likely contenders, each trying to lead his team to the Promised Land while simultaneously trying to lead himself to a major paycheck.
More» Scherzer's scoreless outing in '14 debut |
 | Through extensions, the Indians are working hard to maintain the positive atmosphere that was built rapidly last season.
More»Kipnis, Indians agree on six-year extension |
 | Through Thursday's games, saves had been converted at just a 54.3 percent (25-for-46) clip. This may be caused by the shift in surroundings from Spring Training, where closers were not asked to finish games in save situations.
More» Axford notches the save in the 9th |
 | Mother Nature impeded plans for Yordano Ventura's 2014 unveiling. But soon enough fans will get a real look at the 22-year-old on whom the Royals are hanging a significant portion of their AL Central hopes.
More» Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals |
 | The Indians approach the 20th anniversary of Progressive Field knowing it will need support -- both in county funding and internal creativity -- to maintain its glow.
More»The new Collection Auto Club at Progressive Field |
 | In the wake of a 2-1, 10-inning walk-off win against the Royals on Wednesday -- in a game in which Tigers manager Brad Ausmus went 2-for-2 in the challenge department, with the second playing a particularly big role in the result -- there were certainly no complaints about the system's efficacy or Ausmus' ability to navigate it.
More» Safe call overturned in 10th after challenge |
 | There are a number of notable examples of untested options in prominent spots that could go a long way toward determining the direction those teams take this season. Those are the guys we seek to identify here on the All-Breakout Team for 2014.
More» Rendon's big shot scores three |
 | We've expended much air and ink talking about how impressively replete with talented youth these defending National League champion Cardinals are. But if any reminders were needed about the central tenets that make the Cards click, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina did their parts to provide them in the Cards' 1-0 win over the Reds on Opening Day.
More» Wainwright fans nine over seven innings |
 | There's no telling whether Grady Sizemore can help the Red Sox later, but he can help them now, and the team has to ride that notion for all it's worth.
More» Sizemore blasts a two-run shot to right |
 | After several years in which the Tigers were the presumptive favorite, the AL Central no longer lends itself to assumptions, thanks to the-up-and-coming Indians and Royals, both hot on Detroit's heels.
More» Hunter discusses spring, Tigers teammates |
 | Twenty years after Michael Jordan's decision to leave the NBA -- at the utmost peak of his powers as a magnetic talent on pace to collect a ring for every finger -- in order pursue a short-lived career in professional baseball remains a source of fascination, curiosity and, in some corners, suspicion.
More»Bob Costas talks with Francona about managing Jordan |
