Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is determined to prove to his critics that he can hit without Manny Ramirez in the same lineup. "People need to realize that having Manny behind me, I still led the league (in 2006 and 2007) in walks," Ortiz said. "So it wasn't like the pitchers were like, 'Here, (hit it).' Two years, I led the league in walks, with Manny behind me. Manny was injured a whole bunch of times and I still hit without him. So now, because I injured my hand and I came back and I had a tough year, they're going to point at it? That tells you a lot. I hit without Manny before, didn't I? They pitched me tough with Manny (in the lineup), didn't they? So why should I worry about what they say?" Ortiz also said on Monday that his hand is fully healed. "My hand is pain-free," he said. "It's a huge difference. (Last season), I was wondering if I could swing at pitches inside, outside, low fastball, high fastball and thinking about how I was going to feel afterward. I don't have to worry anymore."

Cleveland pitcher Juan Lara will be back in a minor league uniform this week after he was nearly killed in a car crash in November of 2007. His car had stopped at a traffic light when it was hit by a speeding motorcycle in his native Dominican Republic. Lara was left with severe brain trauma, a fractured spine, two broken ribs, a broken arm and punctured lung.

Chan Ho Park and J.A. Happ are still battling for the final spot in the pitching rotation of the Phillies. "We haven't made up our mind yet," manager Charlie Manuel said. There have been hints that Philadelphia is leaning towards Happ, especially since they were impressed with Park as a reliever in Los Angeles last season. However, Park has a different outlook. "I'm expecting their decision to make me as the starter," said Park. "That's my goal. That's why I signed with this team."

The Rangers still aren't sure what to do with outfielder Andruw Jones, who is battling veteran Frank Catalanotto for the team's last open roster spot. "It's a tough one to call," said manager Ron Washington.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel confirmed on Monday that Livan Hernandez will be the team's fifth starter, effectively closing the door on Pedro Martinez's return. "I'm not going to be perfect," Hernandez said. "I'm not going to throw a no-hitter every time I go on the mound. The only thing I have is to give 100%. I'm a winner, and I like to win. I like the competition. And I like to pitch in big games."

Phillies ace Cole Hamels is expected to make his season debut on April 10th against the Rockies, after being pushed back from his Opening Day start. Hamels hasn't had a recurrence of elbow stiffness lately. "I definitely think I'll be ready [for the fourth game on the schedule]," he said. His final tuneup before the regular season will come on Saturday against the Rays at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. "That exhibition game will be a big start for me and really prepare me for the season," he said. "That will really get me ready, going out and competing at the big-league level and starting off the season right."

In a surprise move, the Tigers released slugger Gary Sheffield, who has 499 career home runs, on Tuesday morning. Sheffield said he was told by manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski that Detroit wanted to go with a more versatile lineup. "I never really thought about it, to be honest with you," Sheffield said, admitting that the move took him by surprise.

The Reds sent outfielder Jacque Jones, 33, to the minors on Monday. Jones signed with the Reds on Feb. 5, but he wasn't able to win a reserve role with the team.

A Major League scout working at the Cactus League raves about hard-throwing Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, whom he saw in Mexico City. The scout called him "one of the best I've ever seen," citing Chapman's makeup and command of the English language as strengths.

Andy Pettitte believes this is the best five-man rotation he has been a part of during his many years with the Yankees. "Yeah, definitely. Obviously, with CC [Sabathia] and A.J. [Burnett], it's looking like a rotation that's a huge improvement over last year. If we all stay healthy and our bullpen stays healthy, we look strong on paper, but you have to play the games," Pettitte said. "Boston is so strong. Tampa is so strong. Baltimore is getting better. It's a tough division."