Kochanowicz was outstanding in the final months of the 2024 season and followed that with a strong spring training.

The Yankees and Orioles can certainly succeed after the departures of Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, respectively, but the division could be a much tighter pack this season.

The AL Central was a surprisingly strong division last season, with four teams finishing above .500 .

The Astros will look different as they try to continue their impressive run of division titles, which could make room for a healthy Jacob deGrom and the Rangers (or another team) to rise to the top spot.

The Angels have brought in a few veterans to be positive influences on their young players and are moving their three-time AL MVP to a new position to try to keep him healthy.

Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe and Nolan Schanuel have done enough at a young age to suggest they could become All-Star-caliber players, which would give the Angels a boost toward ending their playoff drought.

Down from 175 to 157 pounds, the shortstop was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Sunday’s 7-1 exhibition victory over the Angels.

Anderson, a 26-year-old right-hander, will begin the season in the bullpen as the Angels send the left-handed Suarez, 27, to Atlanta.