Baseball

Roughly two weeks of spring training games are in the book as we push ever closer to Opening Day and the start of the 2014 MLB season.

Spring training results have to be taken with a grain of salt, as it's as much a time for players to shake off the rust and work on specific things as it is a competitive atmosphere. Still, there are stats at our disposal, so we'll dive into them and analyze.

The New York Mets will be without ace Matt Harvey in 2014 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Luckily, the team still has a host of promising young arms to look forward to in right-handers Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero.

The Toronto Blue Jays might still be in the mix for free-agent pitcher Ervin Santana, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal via Twitter.

Rosenthal reports that Santana has abruptly changed his free-agency strategy following a split with agent Bean Stringfellow of Performance Sports and is now interested in signing a one-year “pillow contract” as soon as possible.

There was no television or radio coverage, but we know for certain that New York Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda made his 2014 debut on Friday night against the Detroit Tigers.

We also know this: It went well.

Like, really well.

Former 2008 World Series MVP and Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels has been sidelined with shoulder tendonitis, putting him behind schedule in getting ready for the 2014 MLB season.

Somebody recently asked Albert Pujols if he was motivated to put up numbers like those of fellow Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout. Pujols didn't take kindly to that and was still stewing about it in a more recent interview this week.

During the Los Angeles Dodgers' amazing 62-28 run to finish the 2013 regular season, it's no surprise that the team's top two starting pitchers—Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-jin Ryu—completely dominated. 

The eventual Cy Young award winner, Kershaw went 11-4 with a 1.61 ERA in 17 starts while holding opposing hitters to a .503 OPS. Greinke went 12-2 in 19 starts while holding opposing hitters to a .589 OPS.

Coming into spring training this MLB season, the Chicago Cubs have some decisions to make regarding roster spots. They also have some decisions to make regarding where to start their young prospects when the season begins. Many of those decisions will be made based on performances in spring training and so far, the Cubs have gotten strong performances from a handful of players. While many players have played well, five have shined brighter than the rest.

As if the New York Yankees' middle infield situation wasn't difficult enough to figure out, Yangervis Solarte has plans to make it even harder.

The Kansas City Royals and Luke Hochevar were dealt a significant blow earlier in the week when it was reported by Dick Kaegel of MLB.com that the right-hander would miss time with a sprained pitching elbow.