By Jon Weisman

Man, it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood today. Here’s what’s percolating:

  • An MRI on Hyun-Jin Ryu’s stiff back was negative, but he rested from workouts for a second consecutive day. Ryu called it a muscle spasm that he expected to last at most three days, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
  • Joel Peralta isn’t expected to miss being on the Opening Day roster, writes Gurnick in this update.
  • Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles wrote a nice piece after tagging along on Clayton Kershaw’s Subway commercial shoot with Mike Trout.
  • David Aardsma has come a long way, as this column by Bill Plaschke of the Times illustrates.
  • Mark Ellis, who played for the Dodgers from 2012-13, told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he has retired. Wrapping up his career with St. Louis last season, Ellis finishes with 1,343 hits, a .711 OPS and a sterling reputation on the field and in the clubhouse.