It's that time of year again as baseball heads south to the warmth of Arizona and Florida to prepare for a new season that begins with a fresh slate.

As the first of many spring training games begin this Friday ahead of the 2017 season, there are still plenty of question marks surrounding this year's expected contenders.

MORE:

1. What about the Mets' health, outfield battle?

Despite losing pitchers Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz to injuries during the the second half of last season, New York managed to make the postseason.

While the trio is expected to make a healthy return to a rotation with the highest projected average four-seam fastball velocity, which role will pitcher Zack Wheeler (elbow) fill on the staff after arm problems the past two seasons?

Speaking of recurring injuries, what are the Mets going to do with captain David Wright (neck, back), who has played in just 75 games the past two years? He is working his way back from a cervical discectomy and fusion surgery, but the Mets have no reason to rush him back with Jose Reyes capable of playing third base.

MORE:

2. Can Cardinals tighten their clubhouse?

Losing top pitching prospect Alex Reyes (Tommy John) won't help the Cardinals in their effort to return to the postseason after missing last year for the first time since 2010, but a meshed, close-knit clubhouse will also help ease the pain. Remember when last spring Cardinals veterans and manager Mike Matheny led a handful of emotional team meetings, which led the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to refer to the Cardinals' preseason as a "?"

One veteran in Matt Holliday is gone, but newcomer Dexter Fowler is ready to lead the Cards back to the postseason as he did with the championship Cubs last season. Pitcher Lance Lynn (Tommy John) is back, too, but how will he perform post-surgery and who will win the No. 5 spot in the rotation? Michael Wacha and Luke Weaver have the best shot.

3. Indians hope to follow the Royals' 2015 approach

Unlike last fall, Cleveland is expecting All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley and starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar to start the season in full health. All-Star slugger Edwin Encarnacion, whose 193 home runs since the start of the 2012 season trail only Chris Davis (197) among big-league hitters, could be the missing piece the Tribe needs to win it all.

The Indians never lost more than three in a row last season — the only team in the majors to do that. With the Big 3 (Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw) returning in the bullpen, the Tribe could very well emulate the Royals' 2015 season and go from Game 7 World Series losers the year prior to winning it all the next season.

MORE:

4. The Nationals have a win-now mentality

Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper will also be the three most under a microscope this spring as the Nationals are seemingly running out of time before the club goes from contender to pretender and possibly loses Harper to free agency in two years.

Harper, who went from NL MVP honors in 2015 to a season of not hitting above .250, missed time with neck and shoulder problems last season. But he and the Nats will benefit from a full season of Trea Turner and newcomer Adam Eaton, who was acquired from the White Sox this winter for three of Washington's top pitching prospects.

Despite , the Nationals whiffed on addressing their biggest need, a closer, and are probably wishing they had right-hander Lucas Giolito back with the question marks around the health of Scherzer (finger) and Strasburg (elbow).

5. Are Papi-less Red Sox legit?

Despite the demand for David Ortiz to come out of retirement and return to the contending Red Sox, it isn't going to happen.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski did everything in his power to persuade Ortiz to change his mind by acquiring ace Chris Sale from the White Sox, solid set-up man Tyler Thornburg from the Brewers and Gold Glove first baseman Mitch Moreland in free agency.

No single batter will replace Ortiz in the lineup but the Nos. 5-7 spots in the lineup could prove to be the difference-makers.