NL Spring Training Capsules

A team-by-team look at changes entering spring training:

EAST

Philadelphia Phillies

With aces Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels anchoring the rotation and new closer Jonathan Papelbon, the Phillies have enough pitching to go deep. But the offense might be missing Ryan Howard at the start of the season as he recovers from an Achilles injury sustained on the final swing last year.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves decided to stand pat after giving away a seemingly safe lead in the wild-card race and missing the playoffs on the final day of last season. The only major change figures to be rookie Tyler Pastornicky taking over at shortstop. Much attention will be focused on right fielder Jason Heyward, who followed a promising rookie season with a hugely disappointing sophomore campaign. Atlanta also is counting on second baseman Dan Uggla to avoid the dismal start that left him with a .233 average. Tim Hudson, who had 16 wins, is coming off back surgery and might not be ready to go at the start of spring, but he's not expected to miss an extended period. He'll team with young starters Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson and a host of young prospects will try for the final rotation spots.

Washington Nationals

All eyes will be on 19-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 amateur draft. Will he make the club? After ending their streak of last-place finishes, the Nationals aim to finally be a factor and play meaningful games in September. Led by Stephen Strasburg, Washington's rotation got much-needed boosts from Edwin Jackson and Gio Gonzalez. Brad Lidge joins a bullpen that already was a strength.

New York Mets

The big question is whether third baseman David Wright, the face of the franchise, will follow Jose Reyes out the door. The team holds a $16 million club option for 2013, which will get voided if Wright is traded this year. Also, a focus will be on Johan Santana's health. The two-time Cy Young Award winner hasn't pitched in the majors since shoulder surgery in September 2010, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for opening day. Frank Francisco is the new closer. Promising first baseman Ike Davis is expected back after missing most of last season with a slow-to-heal ankle injury.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins have a new name, new ballpark and new manager (Ozzie Guillen). Free-agent deals totaling $191 million netted All-Stars in shortstop Jose Reyes, starter Mark Buehrle and reliever Heath Bell. The biggest spring training questions will be whether manager Ozzie Guillen can sell All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez on a switch to third base, and whether ace right-hander Josh Johnson is healthy. The Marlins hope second baseman Chris Coghlan can regain his 2009 NL Rookie of the Year form.

CENTRAL

Milwaukee Brewers

As expected, Prince Fielder left. What wasn't expected: NL Most Valuable Player Ryan Braun being suspended for 50 games under baseball's drug policy - and having to await a verdict on his appeal. The arrival of former Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez will help make up for some of the lost offense. Mat Gamel will get the first shot at replacing Fielder, although Corey Hart will spend part of spring training getting work at first base. Milwaukee's pitching was strong last season and should be even better with Zack Greinke healthy to start the year and a full season with Francisco Rodriguez in the set-up role. One of the more intriguing story lines of spring training will be the arrival of outfielder Norichika Aoki, a three-time Central League batting champion in Japan.

St. Louis Cardinals

Newly acquired outfielder Carlos Beltran will team with sluggers Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman to try and replace Albert Pujols, who bolted bolting to the Angels. The lineup figures to be deeper with third baseman David Freese emerging in October as the NL Championship Series and World Series MVP. Former 20-game winner Adam Wainwright is back from elbow surgery and rejoins Chris Carpenter at the top of the rotation.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds traded four players to San Diego for starter Mat Latos. The rotation now features right-hander Johnny Cueto, Latos and Bronson Arroyo in the first three spots, with right-hander Homer Bailey and Mike Leake in the competition for the final two. Ryan Madson replaces Francisco Cordero as the closer. Rookie shortstop Zack Cozart had surgery on his non-throwing elbow last year, but he is first in line for the starting job.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates signed pitcher Erik Bedard to a one-year deal hoping he can become a top-end starter. Shortstop Clint Barmes signed a two-year deal and outfielder Nate McLouth returns from Atlanta. The team continues to build around All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, second baseman Neil Walker and right fielder Jose Tabata, with Pedro Alvarez needing to make an impact if Pittsburgh wants to build on 2011.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs brought in Theo Epstein as president of baseball operations, luring him to be the same championship-drought buster he was in Boston. Chicago has added depth to its rotation and brought in everyday players David DeJesus (outfielder) and Ian Stewart (second baseman) to see if they can shake off poor seasons.

Houston Astros

Returning for the Astros is one of last year's bright spots in third baseman Jimmy Paredes. He hit .286 in 46 games after being promoted from Class AA. First baseman Carlos Lee, who is virtually the only veteran non-pitcher on the roster, returns for the last season of the $100 million contract he signed in 2007. Right-hander Brett Myers leads the rotation and Brandon Lyon figures to be the closer.

WEST

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks only tinkered with their roster after their surprising worst-to-first run in 2011.The added ex-Oakland right-hander Trevor Cahill and signed free-agent Jason Kubel to play left field. A major question is whether shortstop Stephen Drew will be back from a broken ankle. The rotation looks set with Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Cahill, Josh Collmenter and left-hander Joe Saunders.

San Francisco Giants

Star catcher Buster Posey returns from a devastating injury last May. The 2010 NL Rookie of the Year was lost for the season after tearing three ligaments in his left ankle and fracturing a bone in his lower leg in a frightening play at the plate. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez also is expected to be at full strength again after his season was cut short following labrum surgery on his right shoulder in August. San Francisco gave ace Tim Lincecum a $40.5 million, two-year contract this offseason with incentives, and slugger Pablo Sandoval (third baseman) was rewarded with a $17.15 million, three-year contract.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The biggest news will develop as the sale of the team is expected to close by April 30. Outfielder Andre Ethier, a Gold Glove winner, signed a $10.95 million, one-year deal and will be looking for a productive season to position himself for free agency in 2013. The biggest offseason acquisitions were pitchers Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang, who will fill out a veteran rotation led by Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, left-hander Ted Lilly and right-hander Chad Billingsley. Look for Javy Guerra and Kenley Jansen to anchor the closer's role.

Colorado Rockies

Star slugger Carlos Gonzalez said he's better prepared for this season after spending more time focusing on baseball and not getting caught up in his newfound celebrity, which he now realizes led to his slow start in 2011. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki recommitted himself, too, and worked out in Las Vegas during the offseason with first baseman Jason Giambi and outfielder Dexter Fowler, whom he predicts will have a monster season.

San Diego Padres

The Padres traded star pitcher Mat Latos to Cincinnati for four players, including starter Edinson Volquez and two top prospects, first baseman Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal. They also acquired outfielder Carlos Quentin from the Chicago White Sox. The big loss of the offseason was letting All-Star closer Heath Bell sign as a free with the Marlins.