The Bum's MLB 2017 Spring Training News-Exhibition Picks-Trades-Gossips Etc. !!

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Ventura's death weighs on Royals
February 14, 2017

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) The locker was empty. A banner over the clubhouse door said: ''Ace 30.''

Back on the field for the first time this year, the Kansas City Royals couldn't help but think of Yordano Ventura, their 25-year-old teammate who died in a car crash on Jan. 22 in his native Dominican Republic.

''He's always on your mind,'' manager Ned Yost said Tuesday as Kansas City started spring training workouts. ''I still catch myself thinking about him being in our rotation, for a second there. It just takes time to work through that, and we'll work through it as a group.''

Ventura signed with the Royals in 2008 and came up to the major league team in 2013. He helped the Royals win the 2014 AL pennant and 2015 World Series title.

''I think it's becoming real,'' Royals pitcher Danny Duffy said, recalling his special handshake with Ventura. ''But that's the reality of it; we're not going to see him again. It's definitely tough. We're going to have a year that all of us will not soon forget. We're looking forward to spending time with each other.''

Yost noted ''it crushed all of us'' when Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident last September. Four months later, tragedy struck the Royals.

''He's going to be deeply missed,'' third baseman Mike Moustakas said. ''It's tough to deal with. The only thing we can do is stay together as a family, play in his memory and keep remembering him all the time. He's one of our brothers. Not seeing him is going to be the toughest thing.''

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout contacted Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer after learning of Ventura's death. Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado got in touch with Royals catcher Salvador Perez.

''Guys like Trout and Manny that had little incidents with Yordano on the field, but both of those guys reached out and make sure that we were alright and his family is alright,'' Hosmer said.

Their reactions did not surprise Yost.

''They're pros, they're All-Stars,'' Yost said. ''That's why they are great players. It's because they care. If you don't care about each other as a group, it doesn't make any sense. Even though you're on different teams you're part of this brotherhood called MLB.''

Jason Hamel will be a rotation candidate along with Travis Wood, who is in the process of finalizing a $12 million, two-year contract. Yost said left-hander Matt Strahm will remain in the bullpen but could be a future starter.

But for now, and likely for a long time, the focus was on the player who was not here.

''It's not something we're going to get over,'' Hosmer said. ''It's not something we're going to forget.''

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Youthful A's rotation key to success
February 14, 2017

MESA, Ariz. (AP) A key to the Oakland Athletics' young and relatively inexperienced starting rotation will be to consistently get the ball to the bullpen with a lead or a tie.

If that happens, a number of late-inning specialists figure to be able to close out games on a regular basis.

''It'll be fun but it will also be something that is going to have some people step up, including myself,'' No. 1 starter Sonny Gray said on reporting day for Oakland's pitchers and catchers. ''If we can go out there with that light-hearted, young, having fun mentality. The good thing about having a bunch of young guys is we can make it as much fun as we want.''

The A's aren't highly thought of as contenders this season after a second straight last-place finish in the AL West. For that to change, Oakland will need to get better results out of a projected starting rotation whose ace, Gray, had a down year in 2016, going 5-11 with a 5.69 ERA. He was an All-Star in 2015 and had 28 wins combined in 2014 and 2015. Other potential starters include Kendall Graveman, Sean Manaea, Jharel Cotton, Andrew Triggs and Jesse Hahn.

''Expectations aren't really high for any of these guys,'' Gray said. ''For any of us, really. We can just go out there and do our thing and hopefully by the end of it, put together something pretty cool.''

Catcher Stephen Vogt said it's frustrating that people don't give the A's more credit.

''We know how good we can be if we're healthy and our guys pitch the way they're capable of,'' Vogt said. ''I think this lineup is going to put up a lot of runs. You try not to pay attention to everybody kind of counting you out, but at the same time, when no one's even talking about you that's when you can really sneak up on some people and ruin some other teams' seasons.''

Graveman's 10 wins and 186 innings led the staff in 2016.

''I set some goals last year and I met them,'' Graveman said. ''I think I'm going to set some higher goals this year. For me that's huge, to write them down in spring training. Make every start, I think that's huge.''

Manaea made 24 starts last season and after some early struggles, finished with a 3.86 ERA. Cotton came to the A's in a trade with the Dodgers involving Rich Hill and Josh Reddick last season. Triggs went 1-1 in six starts and debuted last season.

''There's a lot of young guys with not very much experience, but a lot of them got their feet wet last year,'' Vogt said. ''They had a full offseason to prepare for what's in front of them.''

Gray could get the chance to face top competition in games that matter next month in the World Baseball Classic. He would join Team USA in the second round in San Diego.

''It lines up just really well,'' Gray said. ''The fact that you get to potentially put on the jersey again is a cool feeling. Something I've done in the past and I've really enjoyed.''

Gray's bullpen session schedule will be altered slightly for the WBC, he said, but it's ''nothing too crazy.''

NOTES: Newly acquired reliever Santiago Casilla has yet to report to spring training and may miss his scheduled physical on Wednesday due to issues with his international visa. ... A smiling Andrew Lambo, back with the A's as a non-roster camp invitee, said he's ready to play again after beating testicular cancer last year. He's been cancer-free for seven months. ... C Josh Phegley is running and ready to participate fully in workouts, he said, after being limited last season by left knee surgery and setbacks. But manager Bob Melvin said he might ease Phegley into early spring drills. ... Ps Chris Bassitt and Felix Doubront are throwing after recovering from last year's elbow surgeries. ''They'll definitely be in the mix later on this season,'' Melvin said.

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Melancon throws to Posey on Day 1
February 14, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Mark Melancon sprints to the mound and his heart starts racing - at precisely 183 beats per minute.

It's all by careful design for San Francisco's new closer.

''I didn't realize it was that high,'' San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday, when his pitchers and catchers held their first spring training workout. ''That shows you how ramped up these guys get with Adrenalin kicking in. It's a beautiful thing. Adrenalin's a beautiful drug as long as you can control it.''

Melancon sure can, and he is monitoring his every movement. The right-hander is wearing a heart rate monitor under his uniform around his rib area while he pitches.

''I don't think across the league it's too popular,'' Melancon said.

In fact, he asked his share of questions about sports science - his passion that goes hand in hand with pitching at his peak - when deciding to sign with San Francisco during the offseason.

But 183 beats per minute, for a someone who typically works all of one inning at the end of the night to finish off the opponent?

''Which is extremely high, because I'm just standing out there, barely moving,'' he said. ''I don't want to go from sitting out in the bullpen for two hours to all of a sudden trying to be at 183. That's what's going to cause injury, so slowly building that up over the course of two innings or so getting the heart rate up riding the bike, getting the blood flowing and get your body loose.''

On Tuesday, Melancon threw for the first time to Gold Glove catcher Buster Posey as lefty ace Madison Bumgarner let it fly from one mound over at Scottsdale Stadium. All the brass watched their prized ninth-inning addition keenly from the side - executive vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean, general manager Bobby Evans, athletic trainer Dave Groeschner, assistant GMs Jeremy Shelley and Dick Tidrow.

Of course Bochy stole some glances, too.

Melancon, who landed a $62 million, four-year contract in December, got right to work. He shagged balls during bunting drills on a back field before his turn.

The 31-year-old Melancon figured he might be pitching in the Bay Area last summer but the Pirates traded him to Washington instead of San Francisco, which could have used him as the Giants squandered a three-run lead in the ninth inning of an eventual 6-5 loss to the champion Cubs in Game 4 of the NL Division Series last October.

Melancon saved at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons, including a majors-best 51 in 2015. He went 47 for 51 in save opportunities in 75 relief appearances last year with Pittsburgh and Washington, tied for second-most in baseball.

Melancon has embraced every advantage he can get from gains in sports science.

From the heart rate monitor he gathers metrics such as calories burned and distance covered.

He studies the numbers and considers how maybe it was an especially hot day and he burned more calories and his heart rate was higher because of the temperature. He then might decide to decrease his next workout or even take an extra day of rest.

He also does regular blood work to determine whether he might be prone to injury unless he reduces his workload.

''All these teams have a sports science director now, so it's obviously pretty important. They're valuing it,'' he said. ''While I was in Pittsburgh I felt we were ahead of the curve with some stuff, some things that are just now being implemented by teams we've been using for three or four years.''

Health nut Hunter Pence can't wait to compare notes.

''I've already been asking him about all his other organizations and how they do things, trying to see anything we can do better,'' the right fielder said. ''That's something me and him are both really into, the sports science, trying to get the most out of our bodies.''

Notes: The Giants signed RHP David Hernandez to a minor league contract and Bochy expects him to compete for a bullpen spot. ... Johnny Cueto, still in the Dominican Republic with his ailing father, is expected in camp this weekend. He was set to throw Tuesday at the team's Dominican academy, Bochy said.

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Feldman won't pitch for Israel in WBC
February 14, 2017

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Scott Feldman won't compete in the World Baseball Classic for Israel, choosing instead to get ready to fill a spot in the Cincinnati Reds' rotation.

Feldman said Tuesday that he has turned down the opportunity to pitch in the WBC. The Reds signed him on Jan. 26 to fill the spot that opened when they traded Dan Straily - their top starter last season - to the Marlins for prospects.

The 34-year-old Feldman will get $2.3 million on his one-year deal and can make an additional $2.2 million in bonuses based upon starts and $1.5 million for relief appearances, depending upon which role he fills. The Reds need for a starter became more acute when Homer Bailey had surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow, sidelining him into the season.

''I was asked, but I think it's more important for me to be here with a new team,'' Feldman said about pitching for Israel. ''You have to go somewhere where they want you. The Reds called early and it seemed like a good place to play. It is unfortunate when guys like Homer get hurt. In the meantime, someone has to step up a little bit.''

The Reds opened last season with five starters on the disabled list, putting pressure on a bullpen that wound up being historically bad. They signed closer Drew Storen in the offseason to try to fix that issue.

Feldman has pitched for the Rangers, Cubs, Orioles, Astros and Blue Jays. He was used mostly in relief last season, making only five starts, but is getting ready to return to a starting role.

''Starting is something I'd like to do,'' he said.

NOTES: The Reds put Bailey on the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday. He had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right forearm in 2014 and had Tommy John surgery the following year. He was limited to six starts last season because of setbacks during his rehabilitation. Bailey is expected to miss at least the first month of the season because of the elbow surgery. ... The Reds claimed right-hander Nefi Ogando off waivers from the Pirates. Ogando made 18 relief appearances the last two seasons for the Phillies and Marlins.

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Mattingly, Marlins lift ban on facial hair
February 14, 2017

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) Beards are back for the Miami Marlins.

Manager Don Mattingly said he and owner Jeffrey Loria decided lift their prohibition on facial hair after one season.

''It was a constant fight last year, honestly, with guys,'' said Mattingly, speaking Tuesday before the first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. ''Through the course of the season and watching the playoffs and the World Series, for me it just didn't seem like that big of a thing. The most important thing is our guys prepare and play the game right.''

The Marlins will continue to require players be well-groomed. The ban was adopted after Mattingly was hired as manager before the 2016 season.

''A little bit last year for me was being in a new situation and wanting to make sure the team was put first, and it wasn't going to be about personal things,'' he said.

A handful of players took advantage of the new policy, including All-Star closer A.J. Ramos and starting pitchers Edinson Volquez and Dan Straily.

Ramos acknowledged players complained last year about the ban.

''Now you feel like you're not so under control,'' he said. ''You can fend for yourself. You can do what you want, and we can stop hearing the crying.''

Among those still without a beard is outfielder Christian Yelich,

''I can't grow one, bro,'' Yelich said. ''It doesn't affect me.''

Last year's beard ban was new for Mattingly. The Dodgers allowed facial hair when he was their manager for five seasons, and he wore a mustache when he was an All-Star first baseman for the Yankees.

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Dusty Baker is back with his Nationals
February 14, 2017

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Like most Dusty Baker stories, this one starts a long time ago and involves Hank Aaron.

In the spring of 1967, Baker attended a week of minor league camp for the Atlanta Braves in West Palm Beach. Baker left college to join the Braves, who were anchored by Aaron. Baker went back to school, then to the military, before again joining the Braves as a 19-year-old; that team held spring training in West Palm Beach until 1997.

Back in West Palm Beach as the 67-year-old manager of the Washington Nationals - who began reporting to camp on Tuesday - Baker laughed at the memories of a skinny teenager who went fishing each night in the local canals with Aaron and others.

''It's sort of walking back through time and in your life,'' Baker said.

The construction workers around the Nationals' new shared complex - they are on the right; the Houston Astros on the left - are trying to slow time. The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, a $148 million development project that will be paid for by the teams, taxes, Palm Beach County and the state of Florida, is flooded with people try to get it ready.

''Danger'' signs hung on doors. Workers zoomed around with hard hats on. A front-end loader rumbled into the complex's entrance in between trucks on the day pitchers and catchers reported.

The work is moving swiftly. Just two days ago, there was no carpet in the Nationals' expansive clubhouse. The flat-screen televisions that surround a circular structure hanging from the ceiling - complete with baseball seams and a large, lit Nationals curly ''W'' - still have their energy guide ratings stuck to them.

Baker said he no longer knows his way around town. He also did not know his way around the complex yet. Which, for the second consecutive spring training, leaves him filled with questions and surrounded by newness.

Last season, he was Washington's loquacious fresh hire, sent to take a team that had regular-season success and get it through multiple playoff rounds. He knew few players when he arrived at the Nationals' former spring training home in Viera. His staff was new. Everything, other than the mechanics of baseball, was also new to him.

Baker knows the roster now. He'll learn the complex along with everyone else. But this year, he is in search of a closer and another contract.

Washington did not re-sign closer Mark Melancon, who instead joined the San Francisco Giants as a free agent. The Nationals say several in-house options are viable for that ninth-inning job. Baker also knows things change during the course of the spring.

''Well, without a real, bona fide closer, somebody always emerges,'' Baker said. ''I don't like `by committee' because when the phone rings, I want guys to know mentally when they might be in the game.''

The Nationals are protective of effective reliever Shawn Kelley, who has had two Tommy John surgeries. Koda Glover is young and struggled at times last season, when he dealt with a hip injury. Recent signee Joe Nathan is 42 and had his second Tommy John surgery in 2015. Blake Treinen is another candidate.

Baker is entering the final year of his two-year contract with the club. He seems unmoved by the circumstance following 50 years in professional baseball.

''I don't look too far in the future,'' Baker said. ''A guy who had cancer almost 15 years ago; back then, it looked like I didn't really have a future. Then a guy that had a stroke five years ago. I've just learned not to look too far into the future. I read these books about `enjoy today' and stuff like that. I've been in this situation more times than any manager in baseball - almost. I don't even look at it as a `lame duck.' I'm past lame.''

He laughed at the thought. Baker will skip worrying and instead again focus on the things he came to do in West Palm Beach half a century ago: fish and play baseball.

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RHP Wacha loses rare arbitration case
February 14, 2017

The St. Louis Cardinals were involved in an arbitration case for the first time in 18 years and were deemed winners Tuesday in their case against right-hander Michael Wacha.

The three arbitrators chose the club's $2.775 million submission over Wacha's request of $3.2 million.

Wacha, 25, was 7-7 with a career-worst 5.09 ERA in 27 appearances (24 starts) last season. The campaign was a dropoff from 2015 when Wacha went 17-7 with a 3.38 ERA.

Still, Wacha's salary will be more than five times higher than his 2016 figure of $539,000.

Wacha was the first player to take the Cardinals to arbitration since left-hander Darren Oliver in 1999. St. Louis won the case against Oliver.

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Jays RHP Stroman wins arbitration
February 14, 2017

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman will receive $3.4 million in 2017 after it was revealed Tuesday that he won his arbitration case against the club.

The three arbitrators chose Stroman's request over the $3.1 million the Blue Jays submitted.

Stroman was 9-10 with a 4.37 ERA in 32 starts in 2016.

"Excited to win my case. Really enjoyed the process," Stroman tweeted.

The 25-year-old won a career-best 11 games in 2014 before missing the majority of the 2015 season due to a torn ACL in his left knee.

Stroman, 25, is 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA in five postseason starts for Toronto over the past two seasons.

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Astros RHP McHugh wins arbitration
February 14, 2017

Houston Astros right-hander Collin McHugh won his arbitration case on Tuesday and will earn $3.85 million this season.

The Astros submitted a salary of $3.35 million but the three-person panel opted for McHugh's request.

McHugh went 13-10 with a 4.34 ERA and a career-best 177 strikeouts last season.

McHugh, 29, is 43-26 with a 3.71 ERA in three seasons with Houston. He won a career-best 19 games in 2015.

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Rays finalize $2M, 1-year deal with injured Nathan Eovaldi
February 14, 2017

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays have finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with injured pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $5.5 million in 2018.

The 27-year-old right-hander is expected to miss the 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery last August, when he was with the New York Yankees. The deal includes a $2 million club option for 2018.

Eovaldi can earn $3.5 million in performance bonuses each year as a starter and $3 million as a reliever.

He was 9-8 with a 4.76 ERA in 21 starts and three relief appearances last season and is 38-46 with a 4.21 ERA over parts of six seasons with the Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. His best season was 2015, when he was 14-3 with 4.20 ERA with New York.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated right-handed reliever Eddie Gamboa for assignment.

Eovaldi can earn $1.75 million annually based on starts: $150,000 for 22, $250,000 for 24, $350,000 for 26, $450,000 for 28 and $550,000 for 30. He also can make $1.75 million based on innings as a starter: $150,000 for 160, $250,000 for 170, $350,000 for 180, $450,000 for 190 and $550,000 for 200.

He could earn $750,000 for relief innings: $100,000 for 40, $125,000 for 45, $150,000 for 50, $175,000 for 55 and $200,000 for 60. Eovaldi also could make $750,000 for relief appearances: $100,000 for 40, $125,000 for 45, $150,000 for 50, $175,000 for 55 and $200,000 for 60.

He has $1.5 million in bonuses for games finished: $125,000 each for 25 and 30, $150,000 for 35, $175,000 for 40, $200,000 for 45, $225,000 for 50 and $250,000 apiece for 55 and 60.

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Pirates' Kang to miss start of spring training
February 14, 2017

Embattled third baseman Jung Ho Kang will not be able to report to Pittsburgh Pirates' spring training on time because of an ongoing legal situation in his native South Korea, the team announced Tuesday.

Kang, 29, is expected to go on trial for DUI-related charges on Feb. 22.

"We have been staying in close contact with Jung Ho, his representatives and his counsel throughout the process," a Pirates' statement read. "All have been extremely forthcoming and diligent in their efforts to resolve matters in Korea so that Jung Ho can return in time to participate in the Club's preparation for the 2017 season.

" ... We will continue to do whatever we can to assist he and his representatives in their efforts to resolve all necessary matters so that Jung Ho will be able to travel to the United States to prepare for and to play in the 2017 season, but his reporting date remains undetermined."

Pittsburgh holds its first full-squad workouts on Friday.

Kang was arrested in December and charged with leaving the scene of a DUI accident near a Seoul subway station with a blood alcohol level 0.084 (the legal limit in South Korea is 0.05).

Kang signed a four-year, $11 million contract with the Pirates in 2015 after spending nine seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization. Last season, Kang hit .255 with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs in 103 games.

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First workouts underway for MLB pitchers and catchers
February 14, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) Even for an accomplished veteran like Justin Verlander, the start of spring training can be special.

''I usually sleep pretty well. I woke up early today,'' the Detroit ace said Tuesday. ''On one hand, you want to appreciate everything as much as you can. It's not such a whirlwind anymore - you kind of know what to expect. But in the same aspect, every day is pretty much the same thing I've done for 12 years, so it also starts going faster.''

Verlander's Tigers were among 15 teams with their first scheduled workouts for pitchers and catchers Tuesday. As major leaguers took the field in Florida and Arizona, that familiar sound of balls popping into mitts served as a reminder that in baseball at least, winter is finally over.

While Verlander and the Tigers went through their routine at their newly renovated facility in Lakeland, the Boston Red Sox were about 115 miles to the south, holding their first workout of the post-Papi era. It's Boston's first season without David Ortiz since the Red Sox signed him in January 2003, but Big Papi's retirement may not be too big a blow to a team that added star left-hander Chris Sale.

Over in Arizona, the Cleveland Indians began preparing to defend their American League title. Cleveland won the AL Central comfortably last year and made it to the World Series before losing to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.

''This time of year, everyone is at glass half-full,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said. ''We have good reason to be.''

Hopes are always high at the start of spring training, but occasionally there's some injury news on the first day. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said right-hander Chris Tillman had a platelet-rich plasma injection on his right shoulder and won't start the season until April 7 at the earliest.

The Kansas City Royals said left-hander Brian Flynn broke a rib and had three minor vertebrae fractures in a bizarre offseason injury. Flynn is expected to miss two months after falling through a barn roof at his Oklahoma residence.

The Royals and Miami Marlins begin this season with heavy hearts following the deaths of pitchers Yordano Ventura last month and Jose Fernandez in September, and Tigers owner Mike Ilitch died Friday at age 87.

''I got to know him as best as an owner and player can know each other,'' said Detroit catcher Alex Avila, whose father Al is the team's general manager. ''He was always a very gracious and generous person - very nice to myself, my family. ... Very loyal. I know as a family, we always felt we had to kind of reciprocate that loyalty because he's a tremendous man. They're a great family.''

The Arizona Diamondbacks have also found themselves dealing with some sobering news. Their bench coach, former Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, has prostate cancer and is set to have surgery. He said doctors believe they caught the cancer early.

The Diamondbacks went 69-93 last year and are one of a few National League teams that started workouts Tuesday amid tepid expectations. The Phillies, Reds and Rockies also finished well out of the postseason picture in 2016, but that doesn't mean they can't set goals for themselves.

Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin said he wants his team to play .500 baseball deeper into the season after the Phillies lost 91 games last year.

For the first time since 2009, the Giants are entering an odd-numbered season without a World Series title to defend. After winning it all in 2010, 2012 and 2014, San Francisco made the playoffs last year as a wild card but lost in the Division Series to the Cubs.

The Giants look like contenders again in 2017, and manager Bruce Bochy had plenty of reasons to be upbeat Tuesday when his pitchers and catchers took the field.

''It's a day you look forward to, getting a chance to see everybody and hear the sound of the bat, watch these guys work out again,'' Bochy said. ''So it's a good day.''

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Bronson Arroyo gets chance with Reds to try to pitch
February 13, 2017

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) The Cincinnati Reds are giving Bronson Arroyo a chance to find out whether he can still pitch more than two years after Tommy John surgery derailed his career.

The right-hander signed a minor league deal on Monday as pitchers and catchers reported. Arroyo hasn't pitched in the majors since his operation in 2014. He signed a minor league deal with Washington last year but had elbow problems again.

''My arm is as good as it gets after grinding for two and a half years to get to this point,'' said Arroyo, who turns 40 on Feb. 24.

Arroyo started his career with Pittsburgh and pitched for Boston from 2003-05. He was a mainstay in the Reds' rotation from 2006-13. He signed with Arizona and had elbow surgery a year later.

The Reds could use another starter with Homer Bailey recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow last week. Bailey also has struggled to recover from Tommy John surgery in 2015. Arroyo is open to pitching in long relief if there's no spot in the rotation.

Arroyo welcomed the chance to see if he can extend his career.

''It's good to be in a place with familiar faces,'' said Arroyo, who had Reds manager Bryan Price as his pitching coach in Cincinnati. ''You don't have to prove as much. They know what you can do.''

Price watched Arroyo throw in the bullpen and was encouraged.

''We just want to see if he's healthy,'' Price said. ''He will write his own story.''

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AP Source: 1B Adam Lind agrees with Nats, pending physical
February 13, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) Free-agent first baseman Adam Lind and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract, pending a physical, accordin to a person familiar with the deal.

The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Monday because it had not been announced by the Nationals.

The contract would pay Lind $1 million in 2017, and includes a club option for 2018 with a $500,000 buyout.

The terms were reported earlier by The Washington Post.

Lind, who is 33, batted .239 with 20 homers and 58 RBIs for the Seattle Mariners last season.

In 11 major league seasons with three teams, Lind has hit .271 with 186 homers and 664 RBIs. He's had six seasons with at least 20 homers, including exactly that number in 2015 and 2016.

Lind offers a left-handed bat for Washington's bench, someone who could fill in at first base for Ryan Zimmerman or provide some power as a pinch hitter. He joins Chris Heisey and Stephen Drew as key reserves; those other two players were with the NL East champion Nationals last season and became free agents but returned.

The Nationals start reporting for spring training at West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.

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Giants' Cain faces challenge for SP spot
February 13, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Matt Cain is facing a competition for the fifth spot in the San Francisco Giants' starting rotation.

''Good,'' the 32-year-old right-hander said Monday when pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. ''Let's go with it. It's good competition. Let's all compete for it, that's fine with me. I know those guys are geared up for it and I'm up for the challenge.''

The three-time All-Star has a $20 million salary in the final guaranteed season of a $127.5 million, six-year contract. He's dealt with injuries for parts of the past three seasons that required elbow surgery; a bad back and hamstring problem last year led to Cain finishing the season in the bullpen as the Giants earned a wild-card spot and lost to the Chicago Cubs in a four-game Division Series.

Cain was 4-8 with a 5.64 ERA in 17 starts and four relief appearances last season.

''Everything's still there. It's just not having the huge waves that I had last year,'' Cain said. ''I had some really good moments, I had some really terrible moments. In years previous, I was able to calm those down. Even if I had a bad outing it wasn't a big deal, and then the next time was able to go out and put up a consistent start or competitive start.''

The Giants want to give Cain every chance to win the job, given Cain's long tenure with the club and the team's preference for veterans. But left-hander Ty Blach leads a pack of contenders for the fifth slot behind Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and Matt Moore.

''Obviously our hope is Cain is our fifth starter. We'll let that play out. We're going to have an evaluation of everybody,'' general manager Bobby Evans said.

Manager Bruce Bochy said there will be some tough decisions, indicating Cain will have to earn the role even after 101 wins with the Giants.

Cain said he feels fine after a relaxing offseason of family time and vacation. The bullpen is always a possibility, he said, but ''that's not where I plan on being.''

He wondered last year whether location issues were a mental or physical issue. He has been throwing since December.

''The biggest thing is to have a normal spring training for me,'' Cain said. ''I haven't had one for the past couple of years. Last year was getting a cyst taken out and the year before was finishing up rehab and still really wondering what my arm was going to give me.''

Cain said he continues to have fun playing and isn't trying to get distracted with thoughts of being closer to the end of his career.

''If you can keep doing that, then you get to make that decision on your own,'' he said.

Bumgarner said Cain knows what he needs to do to get ready. The two have been friends since Cain approached Bumgarner at his first spring training in 2009.

''It's not like he's trying to feel his way through,'' Bumgarner said. ''Hopefully he'll be back and he'll pitch for quite a few more years.''

Notes: Cueto's arrival at spring training will be delayed a few days as he remains in the Dominican Republic due to his father's health issues. ... Many top position players are already in camp, including Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, Eduardo Nunez, Joe Panik and Hunter Pence.

[StarDust Bum]

Reds have void at 2B after trading Phillips
February 13, 2017

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) The Cincinnati Reds opened a spot for 22-year-old Jose Peraza to become an everyday player when they traded second baseman Brandon Phillips to the Braves for a pair of pitching prospects.

Manager Bryan Price said Monday that Peraza would be the second baseman unless he struggles. Peraza was one of the Reds' most impressive young players last season, batting .324 in 72 games with three homers and 25 RBIs.

''From Peraza's body of work, he's a regular,'' Price said as the Reds opened camp. ''He'd have to play his way off the position.''

The Reds tried repeatedly to trade the 34-year-old Phillips, who used his 10-and-five rights - 10 years in the majors, five with the same team - to block a move. The Reds will pay most of his $14 million salary this season, the final year on his deal.

Cincinnati got left-hander Andrew McKirahan - who missed last season after Tommy John surgery - and right-hander Carlos Portuondo in the deal.

The Reds are in the midst of a massive rebuilding movement, trading most of their core players for prospects in the last two years. They got Peraza from the Dodgers as part of a three-team deal that sent third baseman Todd Frazier to the White Sox after the 2015 season.

With Phillips at second base and Zack Cozart at shortstop, the Reds had trouble getting Peraza regular playing time. Now he has a position. The Reds also could trade the 31-year-old Cozart if another team needs a shortstop.

Phillips' insistence on staying in Cincinnati was blocking Peraza from developing faster. Price was reluctant to sit Cozart or Phillips regularly to give Peraza more time.

''It's not right to take a start a week from established players like that,'' Price said.

The Reds were determined to get Peraza a bigger role somehow even if Phillips had continued to block a trade.

''Going into the offseason, we knew we were going to incorporate Jose Peraza,'' Price said. ''I hope it works out for Brandon.''

Price plans to play Peraza at shortstop and in the outfield during spring training to enhance his versatility. Left fielder Adam Duvall will play at third and first base as well.

Notes: Pitchers and catchers reported and will have their first workout on Tuesday. The first full-squad workout is Friday. ... RHP Homer Bailey had surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow last week and is expected to start the season on the disabled list. The Reds also will be cautious with minor league right-hander Nick Travieso, who has had shoulder problems. ... The Reds claimed RHP Lisalverto Bonilla off waivers from the Pirates and placed him on the 40-man roster. He last pitched in the majors in 2014, appearing in five games with the Rangers.

[StarDust Bum]

D-Backs sign Matusz, Jepsen to deals
February 13, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to minor-league deals with left-hander Brian Matusz and right-hander Kevin Jepsen.

Both players were invited to major league camp, which began Monday.

The 30-year-old Matusz appeared in seven games for Baltimore and one with the Chicago Cubs last season. He is 27-41 with a 4.92 ERA in 280 big league games.

The 32-year-old Jepsen appeared in 58 games with the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays last season, finishing 2-6 with a 5.98 ERA. He led the American League with 75 appearances and had a 2.33 ERA in 2015.

Jepsen is 28-30 with a 3.92 ERA in parts of eight seasons with three teams.