The A's injury situation began to look up toward the end of the spring, with often injured 3B Eric Chavez and 2B Mark Ellis close to ready to go to start the season. 

If one spring training game is any indication, there will be no World Baseball Classic hangover for Jake Peavy this time. 

Mark down Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, 35, as an early candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. 

Mark down Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, 35, as an early candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. 

Mark down Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, 35, as an early candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. 

Justin Duchscherer will have arthroscopic elbow surgery next week, likely causing the Oakland Athletics' two-time All-Star to miss at least the first month of the season. 

Justin Duchscherer will have arthroscopic elbow surgery next week, likely causing the Oakland Athletics two-time All-Star to miss at least the first month of the season. 

Justin Duchscherer will have arthroscopic elbow surgery next week, likely causing the Oakland Athletics two-time All-Star to miss at least the first month of the season. 

Justin Duchscherer will have arthroscopic elbow surgery next week, likely causing the Oakland Athletics two-time All-Star to miss at least the first month of the season. 

The Oakland Athletics added depth at catcher, acquiring Curtis Thigpen from the Toronto Blue Jays and signing Eric Munson to a minor league contract. 

The Oakland Athletics added depth at catcher, acquiring Curtis Thigpen from the Toronto Blue Jays and signing Eric Munson to a minor league contract. 

The role of the CBC in the world of sports has always been a murky one. 

Oakland's bullpen appears to be set, although neither of the team's two closers has been on the mound for the A's recently. 

--Bob Geren received a one-year contract extension on March 24, with the club receiving an option for 2011. 

Oakland has an interest mix of young (notably the rotation and much of the bullpen) and old, including free agent acquisition Jason Giambi, who won an MVP award while with the A's in 2000.