The Bum's 2015 MLB Preseason News, Notes Etc. !

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2015 MLB Divisional Odds

February 23, 2015


Opening Day of the 2015 pro baseball season begins Monday April 6, 2015 as 30 teams will look to win the World Series.

Getting to the postseason isn't easy but six teams will earn a spot by winning their division.

The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened their MLB Division Odds in mid-February, which are listed below.

2015 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DIVISION ODDS per Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

Odds to win National League East
NATIONALS 1/4
MARLINS 5/1
METS 6/1
BRAVES 35/1
PHILLIES 100/1

2014 Winner - Washington Nationals

Odds to win National League Central
CARDINALS 6/5
PIRATES 12/5
CUBS 11/4
BREWERS 15/1
REDS 15/1

2014 Winner - St. Louis Cardinals

Odds to win National League West
DODGERS 2/5
GIANTS 5/1
PADRES 7/2
ROCKIES 50/1
DIAMONDBACKS 50/1

2014 Winner - Los Angeles Dodgers

Odds to win American League East
RED SOX 9/5
BLUE JAYS 5/2
ORIOLES 9/2
YANKEES 9/2
RAYS 6/1

2014 Winner - Baltimore Orioles

Odds to win American League Central
TIGERS 2/1
INDIANS 2/1
ROYALS 13/2
WHITE SOX 9/4
TWINS 25/1

2014 Winner - Detroit Tigers

Odds to win American League West
ANGELS 3/2
MARINERS 8/5
A'S 5/1
RANGERS 6/1
ASTROS 20/1

2014 Winner - Los Angeles Angels

**IN CASE OF TIE--MLB TIEBREAKER WILL DETERMINE DIVISION WINNER**

**TEAMS MUST PLAY AT LEAST 160 REGULAR SEASON GAMES FOR ACTION**

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Tigers' Chamberlain returns on 1-year deal

February 24, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) - Detroit has signed Joba Chamberlain to a one-year contract, bringing the free agent reliever back to the Tigers after an up-and-down season as their setup man in 2014.

Chamberlain went 2-5 with a 3.57 ERA last year, earning an eighth-inning role for Detroit. But the right-hander struggled down the stretch, posting a 4.97 ERA after the All-Star break and allowing four earned runs over two postseason appearances.

Chamberlain turned 29 in September. He finished the regular season with 63 innings, his most since 2010.

Although Detroit's bullpen was unreliable last year, the Tigers still have many of the same relievers, including Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria, Al Alburquerque and now Chamberlain.

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Nats' Zimmerman making transition to 1st

February 24, 2015

VIERA, Fla. (AP) - The way Ryan Zimmerman sees it, change is not something to get all worked up about.

After being the Washington Nationals opening day third baseman for the past nine seasons, the 30-year-old is making the transition to first base this spring.

''All good things come to an end,'' Zimmerman said Tuesday. ''Not too many people get to play as long as I have, and be as lucky as I have been so far. I've still got a lot of baseball left. It's like a new chapter, I guess. We'll go from there.''

For the second straight day, Zimmerman spent his morning working out in the stadium with manager Matt Williams and coaches Mark Weidemaier and Jeff Garber. He took ground balls and infield throws - including some in the dirt - and also spent some time practicing flipping the ball to the pitcher covering the bag.

''A lot of it's just being over there and getting some experience . not so much in learning the cutoffs, but getting that muscle memory and getting used to the responsibilities over there,'' Zimmerman said. ''Other than that, it's a pretty self-explanatory position. I've just got to get some experience in some games this spring.''

When Williams came in as the Nationals manager last season, he announced Zimmerman would get some work at first base during the spring. In fact, Zimmerman played there for five games last year and also spent 30 games in left field while playing only 23 at third in an injury-plagued campaign.

With Anthony Rendon establishing himself as a potential star at third base, and first baseman Adam LaRoche leaving during free agency, the Nationals have decided it's time to have Zimmerman switch corner infield spots.

''It's going to be an easier transition for him as opposed to other folks because he's a fantastic athlete,'' Williams said. ''But still, it's the other side of the diamond. He's working every morning on it.

''It's good to be able to get him out there by himself and be able to take our time and do the things we want to do. That will continue. He's never shied away from extra reps and working hard, that's for sure.''

Second baseman Danny Espinosa noted there is a difference between fielding ground balls that have a lot of top spin, and taking throws that have back spin on them. Bur like the Nationals manager, he doesn't believe Zimmerman will have a tough time making the switch.

''With his athleticism and the glove work that he's always had at third base, it will be a much easier transition for him to go to first base because his glove works so well,'' Espinosa said.

Zimmerman, who played in only 61 games last year because of shoulder and hamstring injuries, is hoping a slight change in his offseason regimen will help him stay in the lineup for at least 150 games in 2015. He said he feels healthy right now.

''The last year-and-a-half, two years have been rough for me,'' he said. ''Obviously, the first seven years, I played almost every single day. I didn't have to worry about any aches and pains. I was 20 years old. Nothing ever hurt.

''It's been a learning experience.''

Switching positions will certainly be a challenge, but Zimmerman called it ''fun'' and appeared to like the idea of having to prove himself all over again. He is hoping to become as good at first base as he was at third.

''It's a big part of us being a good team,'' he said. ''That's the whole goal. I have to be the best that I can over there and help the guys out in the field like our first basemen in the past have helped me out.''

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A-Rod hugs and works out with Headley

February 24, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Alex Rodriguez started his second day of workouts at the New York Yankees' minor league complex by hugging Chase Headley, the player signed to replace him at third base.

''He's an excellent addition to our team,'' Rodriguez said Tuesday. ''He had some questions, stuff about hitting, baseball dialogue. That's my wheel house. It was great.''

Suspended for violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract, Rodriguez missed all of last season and is trying to return as his 40th birthday approaches in July. Yankees manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman say Headley will be their starting third baseman and Rodriguez will compete for at_bats at designated hitter.

''If I thought that I was coming here as a first baseman or a left fielder or whatever, that wouldn't have made sense for me,'' Headley said.

Rodriguez has apologized to the Yankees and to fans, but didn't go into specifics on his actions that led to the suspension. Six years ago, he admitted using performance-enhancing drugs while with Texas.

When asked whether he will be mentally OK without using PEDs, Rodriguez responded: ''I think I'll be fine, but only time will tell.''

Rodriguez walked onto the main field, where around a dozen other position players were stretching along the right-field line, two days before full-squad workouts start at the major league complex, a little more than one mile away. A-Rod headed to Headley for the warm greeting.

''We just started the process of getting to know each other better,'' Headley said. ''It was great to meet him and talk baseball a little bit. As a player, you experience different things through your career. There's been different sets of circumstances that I've dealt with and this was just another one. Every interaction I've had with him has been positive.''

Rodriguez noted the absence of Derek Jeter, who retired last fall after 20 major league seasons and five World Series titles. Jeter appeared to distance himself from Rodriguez after A-Rod was quoted in a 2001 Esquire article saying ''Jeter's been blessed with great talent around him'' and ''he's never had to lead.''

''No one can replace the captain,'' Rodriguez said Tuesday. ''I know I'm going to miss him tremendously.''

Rodriguez and Headley played catch, took grounders together at third and hit in the same group. Rodriguez took 35 swings, hitting three homers and two drives that landed high on the batter's eye in center field.

The three-time AL MVP, who turns 40 in July, has not played a full season since 2007 because the suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries.

''The most important thing is to be patient,'' he said. ''It's going to take at least three to four weeks to start getting a good read.''

Girardi thinks Rodriguez will be ready to play next week, when the exhibition schedule starts. Asked whether his feelings toward Rodriguez have changed, Girardi said ''I don't know.''

''My personal feelings are my personal feelings,'' he said. ''I don't think that's something you discuss. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get the most out of him.''

NOTES: After talking with reporters for five minutes, Rodriguez had an extended conversion with Yankees executive director of communications and media relations Jason Zillo. ... LHP CC Sabathia (knee) had his second bullpen session. ''I'm really pleased with what I saw,'' Girardi said. ... Former major leaguer Scott Rolen was at the minor league complex to work with Yankees 3B prospect Eric Jagielo. Yankees vice president of player development Gary Denbo extended the invitation.

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No word on discipline for Angels' Hamilton

February 26, 2015

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton was on the minds of his teammates Thursday, a day after he was in New York to meet with Major League Baseball officials about an unspecified disciplinary issue.

The 33-year-old Hamilton has a history of drug addiction and alcohol abuse, leading to suspensions that cost him more than three years while in the minors. The Angels have confirmed Hamilton's meeting with MLB, but have declined to give any more information.

''I don't know any of the details, so I can't talk about that. But we miss him and we hope everything works out,'' MVP outfielder Mike Trout said.

''I know that he's going through a lot,'' Trout said.

Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, hasn't reported to spring training in Arizona after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder earlier this month.

''He's not here in camp with us,'' general manager Jerry Dipoto said. ''He is at home rehabbing from the surgery and we're going to leave it at that.''

Hamilton already was expected to be out until after the regular season begins because of the surgery.

''We'll wait for Major League Baseball and see what the next step is. I don't think it will serve us any purpose to look too far down the road,'' manager Mike Scioscia said.

''We can deal with a lot of hypotheticals and a lot of rumors that are out there, but it's not going to serve any purpose,'' Scioscia said.

Hamilton is entering the third season of a five-year, $125 million contract. He is still owed $83 million: $23 million this year and $30 million in each of the next two seasons.

Hamilton has been a disappointment for the Angels, batting just .255 with 31 homers and 123 RBIs in two seasons.

Pitcher C.J. Wilson called Hamilton one of his best friends in baseball.

''I support him as a person,'' Wilson said. ''When you have something going on, given what Josh has been through, you're looking out for him as a person first and his family.''

In February 2012 while with Texas, Hamilton acknowledged he'd had a relapse with alcohol. It was his second known alcohol relapse in three years, both occurring in the offseason.

''You all know how hard I play on the field and I give it everything I absolutely have,'' Hamilton said at the time. ''When I don't do that off the field, I leave myself open for a weak moment.''

The overall No. 1 draft pick by Tampa Bay in 1999, Hamilton was suspended for more than three years because of drug and alcohol use while in the Rays' organization. He missed the entire 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Hamilton made his big league debut with Cincinnati in 2007. Since making the majors, the Reds, Rangers and Angels have hired people to help Hamilton with his sobriety.

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Stanton faces first pitches since beaning

February 26, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) - Giancarlo Stanton saw his first live pitches since his beaning back in September. The Marlins will have to wait at least one more day to watch Stanton take his first swing.

While other members of his hitting group swung freely Thursday during the Miami's first live batting practice sessions of the spring, Stanton - wearing a traditional-style batting helmet - tracked all 10 pitches he saw, five from Henderson Alvarez and five from Brad Hand, into the catcher's mitt.

The 25-year-old Stanton says he didn't experience any anxiety stepping into the batter's box for the first time since a Mike Fiers fastball broke his orbital bone and damaged five teeth in September.

He says, ''It was just like any other spring training.''

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Jays' Saunders out until July with injury

February 26, 2015

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) - Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders stepped on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls, tearing cartilage in his left knee and sidelining him until the All-Star break.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday surgery is likely but Saunders will seek a second opinion.

Saunders said he felt a pop after stepping awkwardly on a sprinkler head Wednesday while going for a ball at the team's training facility.

Saunders was acquired by the Blue Jays in December from Seattle for pitcher J.A. Happ and was projected to be a starter.

The 28-year-old Saunders hit .273 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 78 games with the Mariners last season.

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Yanks' Tanaka nears 1st batting session

February 26, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka threw 40 pitches in his third bullpen session Thursday and could be ready to throw batting practice early next week.

Tanaka missed 2 1/2 months last season while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He returned for two starts in late September, and Boston chased him with an eight-run second inning in his final outing.

''I was throwing with more force than the last bullpen,'' Tanaka said through an interpreter. ''As far as hitting the spots as location goes, I think it was better than the last bullpen as well. I feel that I'm on track. It gives me confidence that I'm moving in the right direction.''

The Yankees are considering whether to give rotation pitchers an extra day between starts occasionally by using a sixth starter, an idea Tanaka thinks is good.

''You get that extra day to recover, and that's definitely a plus for me,'' he said.

The Yankees expect Tanaka will be ready for opening day.

''If things progress like they are, absolutely,'' New York pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. ''You could see he dialed it up today.''

Signed to a $155 million, seven-year contract in January 2014, Tanaka went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA over 20 starts.

NOTES: Spring training instructor Hideki Matsui arrived at camp. ... Former two-sport standout Drew Henson will be a Yankees' pro scout this season after serving as a hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League Yankees.

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Kelly feeling 'very fortunate' with Twins

February 26, 2015

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Tom Kelly still has a lot to teach the Minnesota Twins.

He wasn't about to let a health scare keep him from returning to spring training.

Kelly arrived Thursday at the team's facility, ready to resume work as a guest instructor five months after a minor stroke.

''I was very fortunate,'' Kelly said, adding: ''I had a lot of big-shot doctors take care of me and really did a nice job.''

He said he's feeling well, just unable yet to engage in more intensive activity. Maybe he'll hit 50 grounders one day instead of 100.

''Last week I tried to amp things up a touch. That didn't work so well. Had a day or two when I had to do nothing,'' Kelly said. ''But the following day I was fine. I discovered it's a process. I feel so bad for people who have worse things happen.''

The 64-year-old managed the Twins for 15 seasons before retiring in 2001 and has since worked for the organization as a special assistant to the general manager, focusing his expertise on infield play during spring training and providing scouting reports as needed during the regular season. He has provided color commentary on cable television broadcasts for a handful of games in recent years, too, but Kelly said he thinks he's done doing that despite a request to continue on a limited basis.

The practice fields are where Kelly is at home, of course, barking instructions and feedback for young players in his growly baritone and sauntering through the CenturyLink Sports Complex like a grandfather of sorts for the team's uniformed personnel.

''It's always fun to see the green grass, I'll tell you that, boy, especially after how cold it's been up in Minnesota. It's always good to come down. I don't want to say it was a challenge thing, but it was a little bit of a challenge to get better and get going and do the things that I'm accustomed to doing,'' Kelly said.

This year, Kelly's tutelage will be valuable for more than just the players. First-time manager Paul Molitor has already sought some advice from his former boss, and there will surely be more informal chats throughout February and March. Molitor played for Kelly with the Twins from 1996-98 and was a bench coach on his staff in 2000-01.

''Every time I talk to him, I always preface it by telling him he has to do what he thinks is right,'' Kelly said, adding: ''Paul and I talked a lot over the winter. I don't want to say like you feel like you're needed here if he has a question or two or whatever, because there are other people here who can handle it.''

But general manager Terry Ryan and team president Dave St. Peter urged Kelly to return, realizing his influence on the entire camp. For Molitor, for example, one piece of Kelly's advice was to manage a couple of games the last week of spring training just like he will in the regular season to start to get a feel for the various aspects of strategy he'll soon be responsible for juggling.

''It's a good thing for me,'' Molitor said. ''The understatement of the year is that he has a wealth of knowledge. He just sees things in a different light. He just experienced everything you can experience up here obviously. If I missed things like I obviously will, he'll try to fill in some of those spots.''

This is Molitor's team, of course. Kelly has tried to make that clear many times. ''Do you mind if I throw a few things out there?'' has been his typical approach to Molitor.

''And I say, `Give me my paper,''' Molitor said at his desk, pretending to write.

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Cubs' Arrieta finds right formula for success

February 27, 2015

MESA, Ariz. (AP) - Jake Arrieta approaches baseball different than most of those in the game.

He carries a gallon of kale juice around the Chicago Cubs' spring training facility. He uses Pilates as a part of his offseason regimen. Chances are, his body percentage might be lower than his 2.53 ERA last year.

So it's no wonder that Arrieta has hit it off with new Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who is best known for his offbeat ways of managing a team.

''I like when guys come at me from different directions,'' Maddon said. ''And he is one of those guys.''

''He's confident, looks you in the eye and he is bright. I kind of like it,'' he said. ''We talk a lot. He is very interesting. He likes to just talk to me about stuff.''

Arrieta's stuff was the talk of baseball last season when he had three near no-hit bids.

He finished the season 10-5 in 25 starts after beginning the year on the disabled list because of shoulder stiffness. In 156 2-3 innings, he struck out 167, walked 41 and allowed 114 hits.

It was a breakout season for Arrieta, who turns 29 on March 6. It came after a rather middling start (20-25 with 5.46 ERA) to his major league career after being called up by the Orioles in 2010.

Arrieta said he believes the improvement can be traced to the fact that he finally matched his mindset to the physical portion of the game.

''The mental side of the game is more important than people understand,'' he said. ''At the highest level, everyone has the tools. It's about how are you going to separate yourself on another level and how are you going to prepare and be ready for all of the challenges thrown your way during competition.''

''I was able to shift away from the mechanical focus into more of a mindset focus,'' he said. ''It is what has helped prepare me to reach the next level.''

That really started back in 2013 when he was acquired by the Cubs, along with reliever Pedro Strop, for reserve catcher Steve Clevenger and pitcher Scott Feldman.

Arrieta, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Orioles out of TCU in 2007, made nine starts for the Cubs in August and went 4-2 with a 3.66 ERA.

All together, he has essentially put together one season - 34 starts - in his time with Cubs and has gone 14-7 with a 2.81 ERA.

If Arrieta continues that type of production, he will fit in nicely behind newcomer and expected ace Jon Lester.

Arrieta enters the spring confident and ready to take on that type of role as he tries to build off last year's success.

''I always reassess the way the season went and whether or not I want to incorporate new things or keep the same and go from there. So I started incorporate Pilates and shift away from heavy weightlifting,'' he said.

''I've come to that point in my career where I know how my body reacts to certain things and what I can put it thorough and handle different types of training,'' he said. ''I've formulated a pretty good routine and I am going to stick with it.''

And if something else pops up, he knows he can go to Maddon to try and work things out. Or just talk about whatever topic two of baseball's deep thinkers get into that day.

''It's really important for guys to establish things in common or interests outside of baseball,'' Arrieta said. ''It's what we do all day every day, so it is nice to find out something from behind the scenes to get to know each other's personalities.''

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OF Pierre retires after 14-year career

February 27, 2015

MIAMI (AP) - Outfielder Juan Pierre announced his retirement Friday after a 14-year career in the majors that included a World Series championship with the 2003 Florida Marlins.

Pierre, 37, ranks 18th in career stolen bases with 614. He was a .295 hitter who finished with 2,217 hits.

''I do have one regret,'' Pierre tweeted. ''I finished with 18 home runs. Really wanted to get 20, so if any team wants to sign me for 3yrs, that should be enough time.''

Pierre broke into the majors in 2000 with the Rockies and also played for the Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers and Phillies. He batted .247 in 113 games with the Marlins in his final season in 2013.

The Alabama native played in every game from 2003 to 2007. He batted over .300 six times, scored at least 100 runs three times and stole over 60 bases three times.

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Bautista thinks new adds will help Jays

February 27, 2015

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) - The past few seasons have been somewhat of a disappointment for Jose Bautista.

The Toronto slugger has enjoyed personal successes, including a pair of top five AL MVP finishes, since his breakout season in 2010.

But the Blue Jays haven't reached the playoffs in more than two decades.

''We haven't done a better job playing baseball, and it's led to the seasons that we've had,'' Bautista said Friday. ''We've been an average team comprised of better-than-average players. And to me, that's not satisfying to know that I was a part of those teams.''

Those frustrations were especially apparent last season after the Blue Jays finished third in the AL East despite being atop the division for 61 days. They led by as many as six games in early June.

Bautista said at times he couldn't tell if some teammates were dissatisfied by losing.

''You'd walk around after a loss of a crucial game or a bad beating you took,'' he said. ''Sometimes, you see people and you don't know what they're thinking. I'd at least rather know.''

With the offseason additions of All-Stars Russell Martin and Josh Donaldson, Bautista believes there be will more of a competitive spirit around the clubhouse.

''We need something along those lines here every now and then,'' the five-time All-Star said. ''It's good to have guys to who winning matters and is important and they get to show it with passion. When they don't perform up to their capabilities, I don't see anything wrong with that.''

Manager John Gibbons said Bautista's ability to stay healthy last season was crucial during the team's early run. Bautista avoided the disabled list for the first time in two years, batting .286 with 35 homers and 103 RBIs in 155 games.

''He's our go-to guy,'' Gibbons said. ''He's been that guy ever since he arrived here and really came into his own. We don't pin everything on one guy, but you look at what he's done the last few years and I would say he's one of the top five players in baseball.''

But personal accomplishments are not what Bautista is seeking in 2015. The right-field wants to finally win and break the Blue Jays' playoff drought that dates to their 1993 World Series title, the longest in North American sports.

''I still feel like I have a lot of time left to play,'' the 34-year-old said. ''We love playing. We love competing, and winning the championship is what it's about every time the season starts. This year is no different. The personal success has been great in the last five, six years, but you crave to win. I guarantee it's a better feeling sacrificing some personal success for some team success,'' he added. ''I've never been in that situation before. But I would make that trade any day.''

NOTES: Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who agreed to a minor league contract on Thursday, is expected to report to camp Saturday. GM Alex Anthopoulos said while it's ''highly unlikely'' Santana will be ready for opening day, he is viewed by the organization as a candidate for its starting rotation. The 35-year-old lefty has not pitched in the majors since 2012 because of multiple injuries to his throwing shoulder and a torn left Achilles tendon he suffered during extended spring training with Baltimore last June. Santana will earn $2.5 million if he makes the big league roster and has an April 28 opt-out clause. ''If we can get him on the mound and be healthy, we don't have any doubts that he could be a very good starter,'' Anthopoulos said. ... Gibbons said all position players reported on-time Friday for the first full-squad workout. ... RHP Aaron Sanchez is tentatively scheduled to start the exhibition opener against Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

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Wainwright may miss season opener

February 27, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) - Adam Wainwright won't pitch in exhibition games until mid-March because of his abdominal strain, a delay that could prevent the St. Louis Cardinals ace from starting the major league season opener at the Chicago Cubs on April 5.`

Wainwright was hurt Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack. He returned to St. Louis for an examination by Dr. Michael Brunt, who said the injury was minor.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is open to the idea of pushing back Wainwright's season debut a couple of days if the right-hander doesn't respond to proscribed rest as quickly as doctors expect.

''That's always an option,'' Matheny said Friday. ''We just have to see where we are and what it looks like, too.''

Wainwright will avoid running and weightlifting for at least the next couple of days, but can resume throwing because his delivery and follow through don't cause any discomfort. He even emerged from the clubhouse during one of Friday's downpours and threw on flat ground.

''It's the news that we thought we were going to hear but it was relieving to hear it - to know that there isn't something else in there going on that should cause some concern,'' Wainwright said.

The Cardinals' training staff will evaluate Wainwright's progress early next week.

''Everything that I've heard is that in four or five days I should feel dramatically betterm and they can start kind of bringing me along slow to get back into a normal daily routine,'' Wainwright said.

Wainwright and the Cardinals say he needs at least three and preferably four spring training starts to be ready for the season.

St. Louis had already planned to scale back the exhibition workload of its ace, a plan that Wainwright accepted but didn't completely embrace. Wainwright made five exhibition starts last year.

''Everybody was saying, `You need to scale back your innings in spring training,''' Wainwright said. ''Well, God just naturally found a way to make that happen without ticking me off.''

Matheny wouldn't commit to a date for Wainwright's first spring training start.

''It might not look all that different depending on how he progresses,'' Mathney said.

Wainwright went 20-9 with a 2.38 ERA last year, then underwent offseason elbow surgery to remove cartilage from his throwing elbow. He began 12-4 with a 1.83 ERA and started the All-Star Game for the NL, then went 8-5 with a 3.24 ERA.

Most players chose not to follow Wainwright into the rain. Pitchers threw bullpen sessions inside the covered batting cages, and position players held their workouts in the clubhouse rooms and hallways.

''We are going to try and stay on pace with getting the things accomplished that we would have done out there, with just a different space,'' Matheny said.

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Sabathia goes through 3rd pen session

February 27, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - CC Sabathia threw 41 pitches during his third bullpen session at spring training.

The 34-year-old left-hander was hobbled by a degenerative cartilage problem in his right knee last season and didn't pitch after May 10. He had surgery in July.

''No problems,'' Sabathia said Friday. ''Still working on things. My cutter, my changeup.''

Sabathia said he will have another bullpen session before likely advancing to batting practice.

''Try and take it slow,'' Sabathia said. ''Not rush it or overdo it in February.''

Sabathia plans on wearing a knee brace this season and will receive injections and have fluid drained as needed.

The six-time All-Star and 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner made only eight starts last year and finished 3-4 with a career-worst 5.28 ERA. He is 208-119 with a 3.63 ERA in 14 seasons.

Ivan Nova, coming back from right elbow ligament-replacement surgery in April, threw 26 fastballs and appears on track to rejoin the major league team by June.

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Rollins adjusts to new uniform back home

February 27, 2015

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Jimmy Rollins savors a bite of bacon at his locker, then steals a quick glimpse at the bright blue No. 11 uniform hanging behind him. It's before 8 a.m. in the desert and the veteran shortstop becomes a bit poetic about it all, the cross-country move back to his home state of California, going from wearing bright red in Philadelphia to a more subdued blue.

''Same face, new place,'' Rollins quipped Friday morning with that warm, familiar grin. ''Obviously, I'm very familiar with the uniform growing up in California, so it's not foreign to me. The numbers are much smaller. Red is so vibrant and out there that you don't have to look to see red. Blue is so subtle and softer on the eye that I don't really see the colors. It goes back to being familiar with the uniform, seeing it so often.''

The Dodgers dealt for Rollins in December, also receiving $1 million from the Phillies to help cover his $11 million salary for this season. He's only a couple of days into spring training work at Camelback Ranch, still becoming acquainted with teammates and coaches and routines.

Rollins spent a couple of hours earlier this week chatting up Yasiel Puig and going through a workout with the Cuban outfielder, with a little bit of translation help.

''I no longer have the relationships that I had with the guys, the history with them,'' Rollins said of his decade-and-a-half stint with the Phillies. ''I'm learning new guys and starting new relationships. It's very smooth. Fortunately, I've played against a lot of the guys in here. They're new as far as us being on the team together, but not so new that I don't know anyone's name.''

The 36-year-old Rollins is thrilled to be playing in his home state of California again as a pro. He was born in Oakland and grew up in Alameda.

To keep him fresh and healthy, he will require his occasional days off, and manager Don Mattingly said Friday he is still determining who will be the regular fill-in when the shortstop needs a break.

Just his presence means plenty to the reigning NL West champions, who won 94 games to finish six games ahead of the eventual World Series-winning San Francisco Giants.

''It's going to be huge. Jimmy comes with a big resume as far as championship player but also a guy that's been great on the field, a guy that's still being productive,'' Mattingly said. ''When you start looking at his numbers, it doesn't matter what age he is, he's still playing well in all areas. He has credibility in our clubhouse instantly and has that championship pedigree.''

Rollins, a three-time All-Star and Gold Glover, batted .243 last season with 17 homers, 55 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. The 2007 NL MVP won the World Series in 2008.

He'd like another ring before he's through. For now, Rollins is navigating through all the change.

''I'm sure he's getting his feet wet like a lot of the new guys,'' reigning NL Cy Young Award winner and MVP Clayton Kershaw said. ''He's great. He's been around a real long time, he's won. He's played the game probably longer than anybody in here.''

He joins one of baseball's most experienced infields, which includes Juan Uribe at third, Howie Kendrick at second and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

''It's good to have a guy who we knew what we were going to get off the field and on the field,'' Gonzalez said.

NOTES: Lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu was set to return to participating in some baseball activities after missing two days of camp with back spasms and discomfort. ''Definitely good news with him that he's going to be up moving around, doing some stuff with the training staff,'' Mattingly said. ... Closer Kenley Jansen, out eight-to-12 weeks recovering from left foot surgery, is doing as much as possible while still in a walking boot and on crutches - even tossing a ball with one knee on a chair.