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Anaheim

NOTHING IS CERTAIN: RHP Omar Olivaros was something of a savior last season, stepping into an injury-plagued rotation and going 9-9 with a 4.03 ERA, but by no means will he be handed a starting spot this spring. He needs to cut down on his walks and slow himself down.... It appears the third base job is Dave Hollins' to lose, but Troy Glaus seems intent on making this manager Terry Collins' toughest decision. Glaus had two hits and four RBIs in an exhibition game last week and made a nice play in the hole to field a grounder and throw the runner out at first One of Glaus' hits, a double, went to the right-center field gap, which brought a smile to batting instructor Rod Carew's face. Carew has been working with Glaus all winter and spring in an effort to shorten his swing and get him to use the whole field.

HEALING STARS: SS Gary DiSarcina, out since February 21 with a broken bone in his left forearm, had his full-arm cast replaced by a short-arm cast. An exam showed the arm is healing as expected, and DiSarcina will be able to add shoulder exercises to his rehab routine. He hopes to be ready by opening day but could sit out the first week.... Chuck Finley, hampered by back spasms, threw off a mound for the first t/me in two weeks and was scheduled to start a game this week. He may not be ready for opening day but will be pleased if he can open the season with the team. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

BORDICK'S PLAN: SS Mike Bordick spent the winter dedicated to a rigorous workout regimen aimed at adding improved speed to the solid all-around offensive contribution he made in '98. Ray Miller has considered using Bordick in the second spot, an alternative that would become more attractive if he were more of a threat on the bases.... The first three starters (Mike Mussina, Scott Erickson and Juan Guzman) are solid, but the team doesn't know what to expect from No. 4 Sidney Ponson and No. 5 Scott Kamieniecki. Ponson just needs experience. Kamieniecki needs to find out if his surgically repaired neck has healed sufficiently to allow him to make 30 starts. So far, so good. He threw without pain in his first game, but his control was a little off.

CONTACT AGAIN: CF Brady Anderson looks like he is ready to pick up where he left off in 1996 and '97. He's running better and making good contact. So far, he's proving Miller made the right decision to open the spring with him in the leadoff spot .... C Chris Holies, whose difficulty throwing out runners has made him a part-time DH, knows that he's no lock to make the 25-man roster. The club likely won't eat the final year of his contract, but a roster spot is no certainty with outfield prospect Willis Otanez out of options. Otanez likely will make the team, if only because 2B Delino DeShields will be on the D.L. at least the first couple weeks of '99. --Peter Schmuck

Boston

OH, BROTHER: The Red Sox officially added former Dodgers RHP Ramon Martinez, signing him to a contract that could pay him as much as $24 million over the next three years. Although Martinez is only eight months removed from shoulder surgery, the Red Sox believe he is worth the risk. And after watching him throw in the bullpen, the team is even more convinced he is worth the investment. Martinez threw 30 pitches, and his fastball reportedly approached 90 mph. His last pitch was his best, a lively fastball to end the session. So not only did Martinez impress the coaching staff, but his free and easy motion impressed the medical staff. Martinez has said privately he could return in May, a notion that seemed unrealistic before his bullpen session.

MORE INNINGS: Corning off his surprising return from shoulder surgery, Brat Saberhagen is hoping he can baby his arm less this year. While winning 15 games in '98, Saberhagen was on a strict cycle of at least five days. He was often given extra days between starts and his pitch counts were monitored closely. Although he understands he must still be cautious, he is expecting more from himself. He pitched 175 innings in 31 starts last season, but he and the team are pushing for 200 innings this year. That could mean an extra inning per start, so Saberhagen should be capable of pitching almost seven innings a start instead of six. --Paul Doyle

Chicago

SETTLING IN: After a dozen Cactus League games, the starting infield is just about set. On opening day, Frank Thomas will be the first baseman, with Ray Durham at second, Mike Caruso at short and Greg Norton at third. IF Craig Wilson has one of the utility jobs locked up, and Gabby Martinez, Carlos Lee, Marlo Valdez and Jeff Liefer are competing for the other reserve job. At catcher, Robert Machado, Josh Paul and Mark Johnson are battling for two spots. Look for the team to trade for a more experienced catcher before camp breaks and keep either Machado or Paul as the backup .... Brian Simmons likely will start in center field. He hit two home runs in five games in '98 but is not projected to be a power hitter. He should bat in the lower third of the order and use his speed to get on base.