34 days after it began my Cactus League marathon is over. I bought a new car just before Spring Training began. As of today I've driven more than 3000 miles to games in the Valley Of The Sun. It was a fantastic journey.

Be careful and aware of the new regulation put in place today by MLB. If a player has a concussion, they will automatically be placed on a 7 day disabled list. It will give the player time to heal as well as give the team time to assess the situation. I'm sure there will some diagnosis and evaluation hiccups along the way.

I saw Aroldis Chapman pitch to two batters in the 8th inning today. He came in and worked out of the stretch. He didn't hit above 87 on the radar gun. He was much less animated than usual and he seemed to be slowing down his motion while keeping that power arm in check. He was smoked for 5 earned runs on 4 hits facing 5 batters March 26th against San Francisco. I still believe in Chapman but I wonder why he didn't cut loose today????

Alexi Ogando will be the 5th starter for the Rangers. They were probably smart to stretch him out this spring because they've certainly faced their share of injuries with their rotation. I like Ogando as a set-up reliever and I wish he would have stayed in that role this year. I'm sure he'll return there after the starters return to health.

Russell Branyan hit a big home run against Rangers lefty Matt Harrison. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it's a big accomplishment for Branyan who usually sees more right- handed pitching. I know lots of people who tell me they are picking up Branyan because of his power at Chase Field. I agree.

My witty friend told me yesterday he felt Brandon Belt had a "loop in his swing." I told him to go away and never come back.

The Indians traded Jayson Nix, a 40 man roster player to Toronto. That will help make room for Travis Buck, Jack Hannahan and Adam Everett, all non-roster players who made the club. Trevor Crowe goes on the 60 day disabled list.

The Chicago Cubs kicked the ball around most of the spring. I saw the game where Carlos Silva blew up at Aramis Ramirez. Yesterday, the same situation could have taken place between Carlos Zambrano and most of his defense. The worst offenders were Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney. Zambrano stood on the mound and stared at his infielders. I'm sure he was repeating his mantra from Anger Management Class so his cork wouldn't blow. I kinda felt badly for him.

A home run off the bat of Carlos Pena got out of the park so quickly it was shocking. In an at-bat later in the game he put the same swing on a line drive down the 1B line for a double. I'm still not a believer, but I can see how the Cubs feel he will help. Especially since they have very few hitting options.

I'm not really prepared to take a chance on Jake Peavy for any of my fantasy pitching staffs. If he were to be available way down in the draft I might consider it and then pass. I just don't like pitchers with nagging arm problems. It's been lingering for a while now and it's time for me to keep him off my lists. I think he may be in and out all year. Watch-he'll have a great year and I will have missed on him.

I'm looking for Alexi Ramirez to have a very big 2011. Ditto for Alcides Escobar. Remember the name Eduardo Escobar. He's a top flight SS in the White Sox system. I'm looking for them to start giving him minor league playing time at 2B as well as SS. He's got an advanced glove and a very solid arm from the hole. He ended last season at AA and I look for big things to come from him.

I've seen Chris Davis play lots of 3B this spring for Texas. He looks adequate at the position. It's time for the Rangers to give him some extended time or trade him to a club like Colorado where he can really flourish. The Rockies would be a great place for him to learn from a guy like Todd Helton who he could spell at 1B.

The Royals rotation is the part of their club that will keep them fighting it out with the Indians for last place in the Central. They have some very solid position players with Kila at 1B, Alcides at SS, Aviles at 3B, Gordon and Cabrera in the OF and Billy Butler as the DH. Not bad. We should see Lorenzo Cain back with the big league club before too long. I'm not a Chris Getz fan at 2B. And Jeff Francoeur in right? I'm not a fan there either. However, the rotation should look totally different by September when the rookies arrive with other position reinforcements. That's when the Royals take off.

Tim Lincecum looked in mid-season form when I saw him the other night. I don't know how he does it with that motion, but he does. He didn't throw as many heaters in the game I saw, but man his breaking stuff and off-speed pitchers were right on the money.

The Spring Training media guide said the Padres had "37 New Padres in 2011." How can they keep it all straight? 20 players were gone from last season's club. Talk about transition. Of course, not all are roster players, but still. I'm really impressed with Anthony Rizzo.

Mat Latos' injury doesn't sound very serious. However, any injury to a pitcher could turn into something more than meets the eye if the pitcher starts compensating for the injury and ruins another part of his body. Watch it carefully. I think he'll be fine. At least I hope so.

Scouts I've talked to still say they think Chase Utley is out for a longgggggggggggggggg time. Buyer beware. What troubles me is that nobody is saying anything for sure. What's a fella supposed to do when Utley's name comes up at the draft? I'll tell you what I did. I kept my mouth shut and my finger away from the computer keys. I want no part, but that's just me.

I still think the Giants will go hunting for a SS before too long. A few ground balls that should have been reached but weren't by #10 and the pitchers will be all over management to correct the problem. No Juan Uribe. No Edgar Renteria. Not that either was such a great SS, but they could get to balls in the hole and balls close to 2B. Not so with Miguel Tejada.

What I had once thought was an outstanding 2011 pitching staff for Oakland has suddenly changed with some injuries. I still like their chances and I think their hitting is much improved. I'm just not sure Trevor Cahill is ready for a role as an ace. But he's a very good pitcher.

Tyson Ross didn't get the 5th starter's job in Oakland, but keep your eye on him. He's going to make some noise sooner than later. Especially if Brandon McCarthy scuffles. I hope McCarthy has a good season. Remember he was the greatest thing since Jack McDowell when he came up with the White Sox. Doesn't that seem like ages ago? It was.

Don't look now but Mark Prior is pitching very well in Yankees camp. That's Mark Prior. The Mark Prior we all knew and loved back then in the Wrigley Field Days. You know, the days when Mark Prior was introduced to Dusty Baker. And Dusty Baker also met Kerry Wood at about the same time. And the three imploded together. Maybe they'll all live happily ever after.

Justin Masterson's arm action is so stiff I am amazed he hasn't blown out big time by now! He belongs in the pen and not in the starting rotation. He is way, way too inconsistent for my tastes. Good outing, bad outing, bad outing, bad outing, good outing. Get my drift? I've drifted away from him long ago.

Once again the Mariners have told Matt Tuiasosopo to go away. He can do that because he has a ton of their bonus money to help comfort him.
He hit .252 at AAA Tacoma and .173 at Seattle last season. Maybe he'll get hot and get another look. I'll look elsewhere, thank you.

I hope Franklin Gutierrez is able to play when the bell rings. He's one fine CF and the Seattle defense is much better with him in the lineup. They have a very, very good defense as is, but Gutierrez makes it much better. Not too many better than Ichiro and Gutierrez in right and center.

I have to say that my favorite place for lunch during Spring Training remains Sweet Tomatoes. I don't know if you have them in your area. It's a chain salad/soup place with fresh food at good prices. If you're in Phoenix, try it. If you're like me, you'll find a way to make something very healthy like a salad bar very unhealthy by the choices you make. Do you think I'd go there if I was eating lettuce and broccoli? No way.

Thanks for your great comments during my Spring Training Series. I'll be doing my regular column this week on Michael Pineda of the Mariners. Stop there and say hello. Next week I'll start my blog on the regular season. Have a great week and remember that Thursday it all counts!