Three observations ...

• It's nice to see that the Astros called up George Springer, one of the top prospects in baseball. After all, they did offer him $23 million during spring training before he spent a day in the majors.

• The leader for unfortunate injury of the year is the Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis, who tore the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee last Sunday while tripping on the dugout stairs at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

• Too bad about Denard Span suffering another concussion. He played in only 70 games for the Twins in 2011 after colliding with Brayan Pena.

... and two predictions

• Brian Dozier will lead Twins position players in Wins Above Replacement this year.

• Jason Kubel, who is tied with Dozier for the team lead in WAR, will fall off but finish in the top five.