After successful last seasons, busy off-seasons and season-ending surgeries, these five players are making headlines as the new Major League Baseball season gets under way.

Josh Beckett
After helping Boston win last year's World Series crown, Josh Beckett struggled with back spasms in spring training. He had an earned run average of 3.27 last season, with 194 strikeouts.

Francisco Liriano
Minnesota Twins left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano is back in action this season after missing last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Before he was injured, Liriano made the 2006 All-Star team and led the league with a 2.19 ERA.

Andy Pettitte
After being named in the Mitchell Report and consequently admitting to using human growth hormone, Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte spent time during the off-season testifying before House committees about his history with performance-enhancing drugs. He now wants to put the focus back on baseball this season.

Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez was named the AL MVP last season after hitting 54 home runs and batting .314. The third baseman's off-season was clouded by contract negotiations. After it was announced during the World Series that A-Rod would test the waters instead of sticking with the Yankees, the All-Star eventually changed his mind and signed a 10-year deal with New York.

Johan Santana
Johan Santana had a busy offseason, moving from the Minnesota Twins to the New York Mets in a deal that resulted in a record contract. The left-handed pitcher had a 3.33 earned run average last season while striking out 235 batters.