Silky deliveries

Angels' Lackey sidelined until mid-may with strained triceps:

Though Seattle will open the season with a far superior rotation of Erik Bedard, Felix Hernandez, Carlos Silva, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista, Manager Mike Scioscia doesn't think the loss of Lackey and Escobar will put a huge dent in the Angels' division hopes.

"Those two guys are important to us, but even without them, we'll have a rotation that can give us a chance to win every night and a bullpen that can hold leads," Scioscia said.

Jays' Ryan impressive in his first outing of spring:

"It was good, you know, finally getting out there, anxious and nervous and not really knowing what to expect.

"We didn't hold anything back," he added, meaning he and catcher Rod Barajas. "I threw what he called. I told him, 'I don't know you and you don't know me. Let's just kind of feel our way through this."

Padres' Prior pleased with progress:

“I am able to get on top of the ball,” said the right-hander, who won't be available to the Padres before May or June. “I am able to throw the ball down and away.”

The surgeon's work is enabling Prior to throw with proper form, to repeat the same release point that he had before injuries led to compensation issues and degraded his silky delivery.

Sox' Hansen pitched an inning without allowing a run (or three):

"No, I don't know how I did it either," said Hansen. "I threw the ball over the plate and the hitters, they didn't hit it. It's really astounding what can happen when you throw strikes. I never thought I'd see my ERA dip below 12.00."