MLB

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker is scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Monday after experiencing tightness in his forearm.

The San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser was the first to report:

Comcast SportsNet California's Joe Stiglich also reports that Parker could possibly miss the start of the regular season this spring as a result:

When the Baltimore Orioles traded Danny Valencia to the Kansas City Royals for David Lough this offseason, they were hoping they were acquiring a high-energy player who could help fill the void in left field created by Nate McLouth's departure. 

So far this spring, it appears they got exactly what they hoped for. 

When the New York Yankees take the field in Panama for an exhibition series in Mariano Rivera's native country, the shadow of their former closer will hang over a bullpen that's expected to replace him during the 2014 MLB season.

The New York Mets sent down a number of their top prospects earlier this week, but many made an impression that should excite fans moving forward.

Spring training is an exhausting experience for everyone involved. Fans want the season to start. Players and coaches want to avoid injuries, though they always happen at the most inopportune times. 

Sometimes, though, there are valuable lessons that we can take away from these exhibition games. It's best not to read too much into every pitch, but looking at a new pitch that has been added or a change in swing/approach can help surmise that good things are going to happen. 

Breakout Performances from the Dodgers' First Two Weeks of Spring Training

The Los Angeles Dodgers are among the favorites to win the World Series in 2014 after reaching the National League Championship Series last year. The lofty expectations are fueled by the return of well-established—and well paid—stars such as Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez.

In the top of the sixth, in a game that means absolutely little in the grand scheme of things, something rather wonderful happened. 

Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis got hit by a pitch from Kansas City Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie during Thursday's spring training matchup in Arizona. Can you locate the spot where Kipnis got hit?

Whoever can find where I got hit today, wins a prize! #fruitloop #dontrubit pic.twitter.com/I9PzEWt1v8

The Atlanta Braves could lose another starting pitcher to a second Tommy John surgery as Brandon Beachy is now scheduled to undergo further evaluation on his elbow. Kris Medlen is facing the same diagnosis as the duo gets prepared to visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution passed along word of the latest potential setback for a Braves rotation that was among the best in baseball last season:

Whether it's Josh Reddick returning to form or Michael Taylor desperately trying to prove himself, the Oakland A's are witnessing a variety of breakout performances that are making key decisions more difficult.