First pitch: Emptying out the spring training notebook on Cubs, Dodgers and more

MLB news: Spring training injury concerns and next steps

While it may be early in spring training, there are still plenty of injury concerns across MLB teams. That includes in Chicago where Seiya Suzuki’s oblique may cause the Cubs to look at options outside of camp to fill the role, as Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer teased last week.

The Texas Rangers may be getting some good news when it comes to Jacob deGrom and his hopes to be ready for Opening Day. Texas manager Bruce Bochy said that deGrom is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Wednesday and, if all goes well, that could set him up to see action in a spring training game soon.

Colorado is very likely shifting Ryan McMahon from third base to second base with Brendan Rodgers likely done for the season with a shoulder injury. In previous seasons, McMahon took over for DJ LeMahieu at second base in Colorado when LeMaheiu signed with the Yankees, then moved to the hot corner when Colorado traded Nolan Arenado to St. Louis.

The Chicago White Sox are expecting Aaron Bummer to be ready for Opening Day. The southpaw has been slowed by shoulder/lat issues and has yet to throw in a spring training game, but there is still belief he will be a part of the bullpen when Chicago opens the season on the road against the defending World Champion Houston Astros on March 30.