Under-the-radar Andy Dirks (DH, DET) has taken advantage of his early opportunities in Motown. Can he continue to make an impact? We also take a look at some ailing pitchers in LAA and MIN, some scuffling OF in CIN, and a few significant injury updates.

It's way too early to look at current performance. We'll look at playing time instead.

There is never a good time to suffer an injury to a starting pitcher because of the lack of replacement options, but early in the season you do have a few more choices. Thus getting the jump on the potential injury situation is important. Here is a look at a handful of starters and their early season struggles. Are they struggling early on due to some sort of hidden injury or just early season rust?

[FREE] Despite all the flashing red lights and warning sirens, it's tough not to notice that Omar Infante already has a bunch of home runs.

CLE has signed free agent Johnny Damon (DH/OF, CLE) in an effort to boost its struggling offense. CLE's .176 BA and .617 OPS rank last in the AL through the season's first week. While qualifying initially only at DH in most formats, Damon is likely to become CLE's primary LF and leadoff hitter, though incumbent LF Shelley Duncan is likely to find AB vs. RHP at any of LF, 1B or DH.

Now that the dust has settled on spring training and 25-man rosters have been finalized, we can get a clearer picture of the likely candidates for the 2012 AL and NL Rookie of the Year Awards. While there are plenty of high-profile prospects expected to be the early pace-setters, the rookie of the year field is notoriously difficult to handicap.

[FREE] BaseballHQ.com Keepers columnist and team analyst Jock Thompson talks about in-season roster management, and west coast teams, particularly the Angels, Dodgers and Padres, the teams he covers for the site. Also the usual great analysis and commentary from BHQ experts. Runs 1:10:30

Miguel Olivo (C, SEA) was back behind the plate on Thursday, a day after taking his first rest of the season on Wednesday, yielding to Jesus Montero (C/DH, SEA). The Mariners got a good night out of John Jaso (C, SEA) on Wednesday, who served as the DH and got two hits in four AB. With both Montero, 22, and Jaso, 28, one wonders if Olivo's playing time could be at risk as we get further into the season.

In this week's column for USA Today, I questioned whether—despite all the warnings—fantasy leaguers might still be taking spring training statistics too seriously.

Opening with three kings: Oakland to face Felix Hernandez for a third time already when they play Seattle on Friday.

[FREE] Dustin Moseley's (RHP, SD) MRI on his sore shoulder came back much worse than expected, and with Tim Stauffer (RHP, SD) still on DL, the Padres have been forced to change their rotation for their final game in Arizona and their upcoming series with the Dodgers. Moseley's MRI showed "extensive damage," and while no timetable has been set for his return, it is clear that he's likely to miss far more than the minimum 15 DL days.