Baseball

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis will miss the start of the season due to a strained left hamstring.

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider struck out six and didn’t allow a base runner over 2 2/3 innings in his first Grapefruit League appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.

Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year: ___ Philadelphia Phillies 2024: 95-67, first place, lost to Mets in Division Series. Manager: Rob Thomson (fourth season). Opening Day: March 27 at Washington.

Capsules of National League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year: ___ Milwaukee Brewers 2024: 93-69, first place, lost to Mets in Wild Card Series. Manager: Pat Murphy (second season). Opening Day: March 27 at New York Yankees.

Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year: ___ Los Angeles Dodgers 2024: 98-64, won World Series. Manager: Dave Roberts (10th season). Opening day: March 18 vs. Chicago Cubs at Tokyo, Japan.

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year: ___ Cleveland Guardians 2024: 92-69, first place, lost to Yankees in AL Championship Series. Manager: Stephen Vogt (second season). Opening Day: March 27 at Kansas City.

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year: ___ New York Yankees 2024: 94-68, first place, AL champions, lost to Dodgers in World Series. Manager: Aaron Boone (eighth season). Opening Day: March 27 vs. Milwaukee.

Capsules of American League West teams, listed in order of finish last year: ___ Houston Astros 2024: 88-73, first place, lost to Detroit in Wild Card Series. Manager: Joe Espada (second season). Opening Day: March 27 vs. New York Mets.

Could October deliver another thrilling slugfest between the rival Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres? Or, it could be the Arizona Diamondbacks' turn again on the big fall stage.

The American League Central was a surprisingly strong division last season, with four teams finishing above .500. Then there was the Chicago White Sox — who racked up 121 losses for the most defeats in modern Major League Baseball history.