MLB

Michael Bourn could be headed back to the disabled list after starting the season there. His repaired left hamstring is acting up again, a big problem so closely after surgery.

Missing any time is frustrating to Matt Cain, but the San Francisco Giants are making good use of a little understood MLB rule in order to minimize that lost time. Cain's finger laceration will only cost the minimum time due to the Giants' use of the "retroactive" provision of the disabled list rules.

Baseball's rumor mill is just beginning to spin as we enter the second month of the 2014 season, and with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline only a blip on the horizon at the moment, more rumors will sprout up with each passing day.

Over the next 12 weeks, injuries to key contributors, prospects bursting onto the scene and teams near the bottom of the standings all but throwing in the towel will dictate which squads truly are buyers and sellers—but it's never too early to take a look at which role each team projects to occupy.

What follows is my take on the 25 most important players for the 2014 MLB season. Each of these guys made my list for a different reason, and there's no doubt that your list of 25 likely differs greatly from mine, but I've attempted to explain my reason for each choice as best I can.

A player could earn the distinction of being one of the 25 most important players in 2014 for one of the following reasons:

The Reds took a bite out of a 7.5-game deficit by taking three of four from the first-place Brewers. Last week, we witnessed a healthy shot of offense while getting the same consistent pitching we've come to expect from this team. Here are the top 10 Reds from last week:

1. Johnny Cueto (last week No.1)

The Atlanta Braves encountered ups and downs over the first month of the season and have now seen their division lead disappear in the National League East.

The Braves didn't finish the month how they'd hoped, as they were swept by both the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants.

The current seven-game losing streak is the longest slide for the team since an eight-game skid in 2012.

Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano received a chilly reception during his recent return to Yankee Stadium, but comments courtesy of a New York Yankees legend and former teammate may sting even more. 

Future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera's new book, "The Closer," is set to hit shelves on Tuesday, and among the biggest revelations involved is his contention that Cano doesn't quite measure up to Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Many of the Texas Rangers’ Top 10 Prospects continue to shine with their respective minor league affiliations now that the season has hit May.

We're now more than a month into the major league season and despite their struggles, the Baltimore Orioles currently hold a 15-14 record and are tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East.

If you are a fan of power pitching and strikeout artists, it's never been a better time to watch the game of baseball evolve. Heading into play on May 5, 26 starting pitchers were averaging at least one strikeout per inning.