A.L. Central

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

The addition of RHP Orlando Hernandez has benefited RHP Jose Contreras. Hernandez has known Contreras for about a decade, dating to their time on the Cuban national team, and he constantly pushes Contreras to focus on being more aggressive within the strike zone.... RHP Freddy Gamin, 28, doesn't have the velocity he had when he was younger, but he's a better all-around pitcher. He has added a slider to his repertoire, and he has the experience to get out of jams and keep his team close in games. SCOUTING REPORT: If LF Scott Podsednik needs a break, the team has a replacement leadoff hitter in Pablo Ozuna. a career minor leaguer. Ozuna fits the new White Sox "smart ball" offense; he's a skilled bunter and shrewd baserunner. He doesn't have power, but he knows how to hit in almost every situation. Ozuna also gives manager Ozzie Guillen defensive flexibility because he can play in both the infield and outfield.--Scott Merkin

CLEVELAND INDIANS

The Indians didn't have an error-free effort until the 11th game of the season. The left side of the infield has been a problem area; 3B Aaron Boone and SS Jhonny Peralta had seven errors combined in the first 10 games. The Indians expect Boone, who's normally a solid defender, to improve as he shakes the rust off from not having played in more than a year. They have been occasionally using Alex Cora at shortstop to take some pressure off Peralta. ... LHP Scott Sauerbeck is quick to the plate, but he also is deceptive in his delivery and hides the ball well. That combination prevents runners from straying far off first base. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Scott Barton must rely on finesse; he mixes a 90-mph fastball with a sharp curve and a changeup--the most important of his three pitches. The deception in his delivery makes his stuff difficult to hit. But to be successful, he must have pinpoint control, which means keeping his fastball low in the strike zone.--Justice B. Hill

DETROIT TIGERS

The offense will miss RF Magglio Ordonez's plate discipline and ability to hit for average more than his power. DH Dmitri Young will replace Ordonez, who will miss at least a month because of a hernia, in the cleanup spot. Craig Monroe, Bobby Higginson and Marcus Thames each is expected to play some in right.... 2B Omar Infante has shown patience as the club's leadoff hitter, but he tends to pull the ball too much and hits too many fly balls. Manager Alan Trammell wants Infante to use the whole field. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Kyle Farnsworth still can reach the high 90s with his fastball, and he continues to work on his slider and changeup. He averaged less than an inning per apppearance in 2003 and 2004 for the Cubs, but he has been effective in multiple-inning appearances for the Tigers so far. Trammell believes he might have found a bullpen ironman in Farnsworth, 29.--Jason Beck

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

RHP Zack Greinke has recovered nicely from a line drive to his right forearm early in his first start. His control, which was off a bit in spring training, has been sharp, and he's ready to approach a 100-pitch count.... 1B Mike Sweeney's hitting has been solid and consistent. Home run power, which has been absent, is sure to follow.... C John Buck, who was expected to bring pop to the bottom half of the order, instead has wallowed in an early-season slump that included a 0-for-20 skid. Frequent pop-ups are an indication he has been undercutting the ball. SCOUTING REPORT: SS Angel Berroa is a free swinger, but his plate discipline, though sometimes erratic, is improving. His strike zone still isn't tight, but he's getting better at recognizing breaking balls and fighting off pitches. Berroa is able to hit to the opposite field on hit-and-run plays and will bunt occasionally. He has a strong arm but is scaling back his throws to improve accuracy.--Dick Kaegel

MINNESOTA TWINS

RHP Carlos Silva learned last week he can play with a tear in the cartilage in his right knee. Silva, thought to be out until at least the All-Star break, will need surgery after the season. The injury is in his push-off leg, so doctors don't think pitching will cause more damage. He could be back by late April.... For the second straight season, CF Torii Hunter is focusing on stealing bases. Hunter, who had 21 steals last year, two fewer than his career best, has become skilled at timing his jumps off the bag.... RHP Kyle Lohse has displayed more confidence and has worked ahead in the count more often than in 2004, when he struggled. Coaches believe his changeup is more effective this season. SCOUTING REPORT: Opponents must get to RHP Brad Radke early: He is susceptible to giving up first-inning runs before settling down. Once Radke figures out his location and strike zone, hitters struggle against his fastball and changeup.--Mark Sheldon

The little things

The knock on Dodgers 2B Jeff Kent's defense is that he lacks range, but he makes up for his physical limitations through positioning and anticipation. Kent studies the tendencies of hitters and his pitchers and puts himself in position to make plays. As a result, he often handles as many opportunities as younger, more mobile second basemen.... Yankees SS Derek Jeter has a better understanding of the rulebook than most players, and he uses that knowledge to his advantage. Jeter, in fact, has retired baserunners during a walk. If a runner overslides a base, as sometimes happens on a steal attempt, he still can be tagged out on ball four, because the ball still is in play at that point.... Because Mets 3B David Wright is capable of batting in the middle of the order and being a run producer, his smaller contributions sometimes are overlooked. He identifies situations well and responds properly-working to get a walk leading off an inning, hitting behind runners, stepping out to break the rhythm of a pitcher, taking pitches in steal situations. Wright's grasp of the game belies his limited experience.... Devil Rays OF Eduardo Perez prepares himself for pinch hitting by telling himself he's leading off the game.--MLB.com correspondents