MLB

Much to the dismay of the New York Yankees' brass, Alex Rodriguez is back.

With the 39-year-old set to return to the diamond for the first time since 2013, the crucial question entering the season is just where exactly he fits into the plans in the Bronx.

While the Toronto Blue Jays spent the offseason overhauling several positions on the roster, the team decided not to pursue a veteran second baseman. Considering that Toronto’s second basemen batted a combined .247/.295/.340 with just a .634 OPS during the 2014 season, the team’s decision seemed even more puzzling.

Pitcher Pat Venditte is competing for a spot with the Oakland Athletics this spring, and there is something that could certainly give him an edge over some other relievers.

Venditte is a switch-pitcher. That's right, he can pitch with both his left and right hands. 

Spring training has officially kicked off for the majority of MLB teams, and they are all excited to see what players of theirs will step up and put them above preseason expectations.

For the Baltimore Orioles, not much talent was brought in this offseason, which means they will have to hope for several of their younger guys to take the next step in reaching their individual potentials.

For the first time in a very long time, the Chicago Cubs seem ready to compete for the playoffs. A lot of that has to do with their improved roster in every area of the team. While making the playoffs will still be a tough task in 2015, this current Cubs team has the talent to get it done.

Rob Manfred, man of action.

OK, so his first actions as new commissioner aren't exactly blockbusters. Just like the pitchers reporting to camps this weekend, he's still limbering up. But in acting to move the game along, he's striking all the right notes.

Managers no longer will be required to amble out to chat with umpires, stalling, while the decision is made whether or not to challenge a call and request instant replay. They can make that call from the comfort of their very own dugout.

Major League Baseball announced a series of initiatives it will implement during the 2015 season with hope of improving the pace of games.

MLB Public Relations passed along the complete list of updated standards:

The first point is a major one. Over the years it's become common for batters to step out of the box and go through an elaborate routine between pitches. The same goes for pitchers who step off the rubber to reset.

In 2014, the Cleveland Indians saw a number of breakout performances en route to a decent but disappointing finish to the season.

Players like Michael Brantley, Corey Kluber, Cody Allen and Lonnie Chisenhall all took steps forward and helped lead the Indians to their 85-77 record. Here in 2015, the team is looking like a division-title contender, and it'll need those same players to keep up their performance while also relying on a new crop of breakout players in order to fulfill its goals for the year.

As we say hello to spring training, we say goodbye to something else: the Major League Baseball offseason.

As fun as it always is to welcome the start of a new season, I suspect we're going to miss this particular winter. It was more action-packed than the climax of a Marvel movie, complete with huge signings, big trades and even a coronation...of sorts. 

Baseball season is finally underway, and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee has already run out of answers for the media.

Following the pitchers and catchers' first workout of the season, Lee used a Magic 8 Ball to field questions from reporters.