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

[StarDust Bum]

MLB 2017: PRESEASON RECORD

ALL PICKS ARE OPINIONS.......I USUALLY PICK DOGS AND TOTALS / NEVER FAVORITES DURNING THE REGULAS SEASON.....

WLT PCT UNITS

M/L Picks 7-7-0 50.00% -590

O/U Picks 1-0-0 100.00% +500


SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PIT at BAL 01:05 PM

BAL -132

HOU at ATL 01:05 PM

ATL -125

BOS at TB 01:05 PM

BOS +100

O 8.5

WAS at MIN 01:05 PM

MIN -120

MIA at STL 01:05 PM

MIA -111

DET at NYM 01:10 PM

NYM -120

SF at CIN 03:05 PM

SF +105

CLE at CHC 03:05 PM

CLE +105

TEX at KC 03:05 PM

TEX -116

LAA at OAK 03:05 PM

OAK -120

LAD at MIL 03:05 PM

LAD -120

SD at SEA 03:10 PM

SEA -141

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WLT Pct Units Rank M/L Picks

M/L Picks 22-14-2 61.11% +2775

O/U Picks 2-0-0 100.00% +1000

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at TB 01:05 PM

TB -141

TOR at PIT 01:05 PM

TOR +100

BAL at PHI 01:05 PM

BAL +110

O 8.5

HOU at WAS 01:05 PM

HOU +110

NYM at MIA 01:05 PM

NYM +115

STL at ATL 01:05 PM

ATL -120

CLE at OAK 03:05 PM

CLE +105

LAA at CHC 03:05 PM

U 9.5

ARI at TEX 03:05 PM

TEX -132

KC at MIL 03:05 PM

KC -105

SF at SD 03:10 PM

SF -120

LAD at COL 03:10 PM

LAD +125

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MLB SPRING TRAINING OPINIONS

M/L Picks 28-19-2 59.57% +3215

O/U Picks 3-1-0 75.00% +950

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PIT at MIN 01:05 PM

MIN -125

PHI at TB 01:05 PM

TB -132

MIA at HOU 01:05 PM

HOU -132

BOS at BAL 01:05 PM

BAL -132

NYM at STL 01:05 PM

NYM +115

SEA at CLE 03:05 PM

CLE -132

CIN at MIL 03:05 PM

MIL -125

ARI at CHW 03:05 PM

ARI +100

CHC at KC 03:05 PM

KC -111

TEX at LAA 03:10 PM

LAA -132

O 9.5

ATL at NYY 06:35 PM

NYY -132

LAD at SF 08:05 PM

LAD +110

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FRIDAY, MARCH 3

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at PHI 01:05 PM

PHI -141

BAL at PIT 01:05 PM

BAL +105

DET at TB 01:05 PM

TB -132

BOS at ATL 01:05 PM

BOS +120

NYY at TOR 01:07 PM

TOR -125

O 8.5

HOU at NYM 01:10 PM

HOU +120

COL at CLE 03:05 PM

CLE -152

SF at OAK 03:05 PM

OAK -125

CIN at CHC 03:05 PM

CHC -147

SEA at TEX 03:05 PM

SEA -116

MIL at LAA 03:10 PM

O 9.5

CHW at SD 08:40 PM

CHW +110

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Pitchless walks take effect Thursday
March 2, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball and the players' association announced their agreement on pitchless intentional walks, and the change took effect with exhibition games starting Thursday.

If a manager signals the plate umpire for an intentional walk, the umpire would tell the batter to take first base.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred had hoped for more radical pace-of-game changes, but the union did not agree to raising the bottom of the strike zone, pitch clocks or limits on trips to the mound. MLB can make unilateral changes to playing rules only with one year advance notice.

Two other rule changes were announced Thursday. An addition to rule 5.07 formalizes an umpire interpretation and prohibits a pitcher from resetting his pivot foot or taking a second step toward home plate during his delivery. If the pitcher violates the rule with a runner on base, a balk should be called. If there are no runners, a violation should be considered an illegal pitch under rule 6.02(b).

A change to rule 5.03 requires base coaches to remain behind the line of the coach's box closest to the plate and the front line parallel to the foul line prior to each pitch. A coach may leave the box to signal a player after a ball is put in play.

In addition, video review regulations were changed to establish a 30-second limit for a manager to make a challenge and a conditional two-minute guideline for the replay umpire to make a decision. When a manager is out of challenges, an umpire crew chief may ask for a review of a non-home run call starting in the eighth inning, one inning later than last year.

MLB also announced the prohibition of field markers to create references for positioning fielders.

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Red Sox P Price has MRI on elbow
March 2, 2017

Boston Red Sox veteran left-hander David Price underwent an MRI on his pitching elbow and forearm and plans to get a second opinion, manager John Farrell said on Thursday morning.

Price, who is entering the second season of a seven-year, $217 million contract, experienced pain in his forearm on Tuesday, two days removed from pitching in a two-inning simulated game.

Farrell said that the 31-year-old Price will visit noted orthopedists Dr. James Andrews or Neal ElAttrache.

"We're concerned," Farrell said on Thursday. "We're taking every precaution. ... He feels improved today over yesterday, so that's an encouraging sign. But still, we have to take every step along the way to get our arms around this in its entirety."

Price was scheduled to make his first spring training start Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, but has been scratched.

Price posted a 17-9 mark with a 3.99 ERA last season and finished fourth in the American League with 228 strikeouts. He also allowed a career-high 30 homers and led the AL in innings pitched (230) in his first season with Boston.

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Fact: Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado stacks up with best in majors
March 3, 2017

Every once in a while, Nolan Arenado runs across a story that mentions his name and makes him shake his head.

''I don't know where some of it comes from,'' the Colorado Rockies All-Star third baseman laughed.

Being the face of a franchise and doing so many cool things, facts sometimes get intermingled with good fiction.

Fact: He did go to Cuba this offseason to visit his roots.

Fiction: The four-time Gold Glover didn't demand the Rockies switch to a lighter shade of purple on their uniforms this season.

Fact: He contemplated playing for Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic before joining Team USA.

Undisputed fact: He stacks up with baseball's best.

Arenado is coming off a season in which he led the majors in RBIs (133) and tied for the NL lead in homers (41). Those are lofty stats, but Arenado feels confident he can replicate them.

''If I stay on the field, the numbers will be there,'' said Arenado, who played in a career-high 160 games last season as he finished fifth in the NL MVP voting. ''I believe I can do some good things. I want to better with at-bats, be better on the road, be better against better pitching. I believe I'm very capable of doing those things.''

No matter how good he hits, there will always be a faction of fans that thinks of him as a fielder first. He appreciates that sentiment and is typically good for at least one highlight-reel play a game at third base. It's been that way since he came up in 2013 and captured his first Gold Glove - an award he's never relinquished.

''I take a lot of pride in helping my pitchers out,'' Arenado said. ''I work extremely hard to be good in the field.''

This eased his mind in the offseason: A $29.5 million, two-year contract to avoid arbitration.

''Now all I have to worry about is going out there and getting ready to play,'' said Arenado, who turns 26 on April 16.

This spring, the Rockies headed into camp with something that's been a little foreign to them lately - expectations. With the arrival of manager Bud Black, another powerful bat in the lineup with first-baseman-in-training Ian Desmond, and a bona fide closer in Greg Holland - he's returning from elbow surgery - the Rockies are a trendy pick to challenge for a playoff spot.

''It's definitely a different vibe,'' Arenado said. ''When you have new things, new people around, you can't wait to come to the ball park.''

Recently, the Rockies unveiled jerseys featuring a different shade of purple. There were internet rumors that Arenado was the impetus for the color swap, that he didn't like the darker version.

''Extremely false, honestly,'' Arenado good-naturedly said. ''I would never sit here and say, `We better change the color of purple or I won't be happy.' Whatever has more wins, that's the jersey I want.''

One more fact: He approached legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully to sign his bat after hitting his 40th homer at Dodger Stadium last season. It's a cherished memento.

''That shows what kind of person he is, that he takes the time for me - a Rockies player,'' Arenado said. ''It meant a lot to me, especially being from California.''

Arenado had quite an adventurous offseason. He attended the Rose Bowl game - he's a big Southern California fan - and played tons of backyard Wiffle Ball with his family. He also visited Cuba with his parents, Millie and Fernando. His father is of Cuban descent and his mother of Puerto Rican lineage. While there, Arenado even squeezed in some softball.

''The people are amazing, beautiful and loving,'' Arenado said of his trip. ''I can't wait to go back.''

Although he has Cuban lineage, he said the nation wouldn't allow him to play for them at the World Baseball Classic. So he was torn between suiting up for Puerto Rico or Team USA. In the end, he didn't feel right about taking a possible spot from a Puerto Rican-born player when he was raised in California.

''It was a tough decision, but I thought it was the right thing to do,'' said Arenado, whose U.S. squad opens pool on March 10 against Colombia in Miami. ''It means a lot and I will do whatever I have to do to help us win this thing.''

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SATURDAY, MARCH 4

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TOR at MIN 01:05 PM

TOR +125

BOS at PIT 01:05 PM

BOS +110

WAS at STL 01:05 PM

WAS +110

NYM at HOU 01:05 PM

NYM +100

NYY at DET 01:05 PM

DET -125

BAL at TB 01:05 PM

TB -125

CLE at OAK 03:05 PM

CLE +110

LAD at CHC 03:05 PM

LAD +115

LAA at CHW 03:05 PM

LAA +110

TEX at MIL 03:05 PM

MIL -125

ARI at SD 03:10 PM

SD -125

SEA at COL 03:10 PM

COL -125

[StarDust Bum]

Mets renew Syndergaard for $605K
March 3, 2017

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) Unable to reach an agreement, the New York Mets renewed the contract of pitcher Noah Syndergaard for a major league salary of $605,500.

With 1 year, 149 days of major league service, Syndergaard almost certainly will be eligible for salary arbitration next winter.

The hard-throwing 24-year-old right-hander was 14-9 with a 2.60 ERA last season, striking out 218 in 183 2/3 innings. He earned $503,375.

His new contract has a minor league salary of $267,688, should he be sent down.

New York announced agreements Friday for its 20-other players not yet eligible for arbitration, including left-hander Steven Matz and outfielders Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo.

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Cueto to arrive at Giants camp Friday
March 3, 2017

MESA, Ariz. (AP) Johnny Cueto is finally scheduled to arrive at San Francisco Giants camp on Friday, and the Dominican right-hander will likely not pitch in the World Baseball Classic - at least in the first round.

''He'll be in tonight,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Friday after his team's Cactus League game against the Oakland A's. Cueto then will have a physical and meet with team management before he takes the field for any baseball activities, a team spokesman said.

Cueto's father has been ill, so the pitcher wanted to bring him to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. That delayed his arrival by a couple weeks so that a visa could be obtained for his father.

Cueto has been working out at the Giants' facility in the Dominican, so the late arrival is not expected to affect anything relating to the pitcher's normal preparation for the season.

But with the WBC beginning Thursday for the Dominican team, it wouldn't leave much time for the Giants to assess everything before Cueto had to pitch a competitive tournament game.

The 31-year-old had an outstanding first year with the Giants, going 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA. He signed a six-year, $130 million contract with San Francisco after helping the Kansas City Royals win the 2015 World Series.

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Diamondbacks' Greinke effective in first spring start
March 3, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Zack Greinke's first spring training start Friday wasn't about any results or the outcome, his manager stressed beforehand. For new Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, it was simply about watching his ace go to work.

Not that Greinke's results weren't at least a little important. The veteran right-hander was limited to 33 pitches, but struck out one, walked one and allowed an infield hit in 1 2-3 innings against his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

''Nice to see Zack get out there and I thought he was very effective with several pitches,'' Lovullo said. ''I know there's more in there, but from where he's at and the process he's following, it was a great outing.''

Greinke was the last projected Diamondbacks starting rotation member to pitch in a game this spring but is on track to make several starts before the end of the month.

''It was all right. I guess typical first outing, a little sloppy,'' Greinke said. ''Some OK stuff but just a little rusty. ... That's kind of what you'd expect the first outing a little bit.''

Greinke threw a 90 mph fastball on a full count past Corey Seager, the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year, for his lone strikeout. He was taken out of the game after giving up an infield single to the Dodgers' Andrew Toles.

''It kind of came and went,'' Greinke said of his control. ''First couple of batters it was good, then it got a little worse and then it got a little better. That's normal, I guess, also.''

Greinke had only thrown in workouts until Friday. He is coming off what was for him a disappointing 2016 season.

Greinke went 13-7 with a 4.63 ERA, hampered by oblique and shoulder injuries that limited him to 158 2-3 innings, his fewest since 2007. That came after a 19-3, 1.99 ERA season with the Dodgers in 2015 that helped him land a six-year, $206.5 million contract with Arizona.

More was expected, and Greinke didn't deliver based upon his previous success though he did have a stretch of seven straight wins in May and June.

His process this spring starts with trying to get his pitches to move properly and consistently then work on command with each pitch.

''Usually the fastball is first and then it kind of develops from then on. Then try to get comfortable with guys on base,'' Greinke said.

Lovullo said he was excited to watch his top starter compete from dugout level, and that Greinke had been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for Friday's start.

''I've watched him from the other dugout. I know that he can do things very easily on the mound,'' Lovullo said. ''The fastball command is easy for him. Spinning breaking balls and throwing pitches in the zone, it just comes very natural to him.''

Greinke's next start will come next week, and Greinke hopes to last another inning and throw 10 to 15 more pitches. He's already been named the Diamondbacks' opening day starter for April 2 against San Francisco.

''I didn't expect anything otherwise,'' he said.

NOTES: Lovullo had former Navy SEAL David Rutherford, now a motivational speaker, talk to the team before Friday's game. ''He's a pretty special guy. He's got an incredible story with conviction, and it's mostly built around commitment and brotherhood,'' Lovullo said. ''I thought the message was perfect for our group of guys with the concepts that are getting thrown on them.'' ... Patrick Corbin, Taijuan Walker and Robbie Ray are the scheduled starters for the next three Diamondbacks games, each set for his second spring training start.

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

ATL at BOS 01:05 PM

ATL +135

PIT at NYY 01:05 PM

PIT +140

HOU at MIA 01:05 PM

HOU +105

MIN at WAS 01:05 PM

WAS -161

TB at TOR 01:07 PM

TB +115

STL at NYM 01:10 PM

STL +115

CHC at TEX 03:05 PM

TEX -116

KC at SF 03:05 PM

KC +120

SD at CLE 03:05 PM

SD +140

COL at MIL 03:05 PM

COL -105

CHW at ARI 03:10 PM

CHW +110

CIN at LAA 03:10 PM

LAA -147

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, MARCH 6

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

STL at MIN 01:05 PM

MIN -116

NYY at PIT 01:05 PM

PIT +100

BOS at HOU 01:05 PM

BOS -120

BAL at DET 01:05 PM

BAL -105

NYM at MIA 01:05 PM

NYM -120

SD at CHW 03:05 PM

SD +120

ARI at KC 03:05 PM

ARI +105

CHC at LAA 03:10 PM

LAA +100

TEX at SEA 03:10 PM

SEA -125

LAD at COL 03:10 PM

COL -105

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Tebow could play spring game this week
March 5, 2017

The New York Mets' most famous minor-leaguer soon will get his chance to face major league pitching.

Tim Tebow will be available for split-squad Grapefruit League games against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday and against the Houston Astros on Friday, multiple media outlets reported Sunday.

The outfielder, a former Heisman Trophy winner, reportedly will appear in the Mets' home games each day, which figures to be good for the box office. The Wednesday game is scheduled to air in the New York area on SNY.

USA Today reported that Tebow isn't expected to start either game.

Tebow will get his shot in part due to the World Baseball Classic. The Mets will see 14 players leave their camp in the next few days to join their national teams for the start of the international tournament, leaving vacancies for minor-leaguers to fill.

Tebow made his pro baseball debut last year in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .192 with two RBIs in 19 games.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow hadn't played baseball since high school before he signed with the Mets last year. He starred as the quarterback of the University of Florida football team from 2006 to 2009, then was a first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2010. He made 14 starts for the Broncos in 2010 and 2011 combined, and he guided Denver to a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2012.

Tebow spent the 2012 season as a backup quarterback with the New York Jets but hasn't appeared in an NFL game since. He subsequently became a college football television analyst before announcing his intention to pursue a baseball career.

[StarDust Bum]

SP Tanaka sharp in Yankees' victory
March 5, 2017

Masahiro Tanaka fired three scoreless innings Sunday, and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 in a Grapefruit League game in Sarasota, Fla. Tanaka struck out four while allowing three hits and no walks. Matt Holliday hit two doubles and scored a run for the Yankees. Jameson Taillon and Clay Holmes each threw two scoreless innings for the Pirates.


Orioles 3, Phillies (ss) 2

Paul Janish's seventh-inning sacrifice fly tied the game, and Logan Schafer followed with a fielder's choice grounder that drove in the go-ahead run as Baltimore beat a Philadelphia split squad in Sarasota, Fla. The Phillies got a home run from Cameron Rupp.

Red Sox 11, Braves 1

Andrew Benintendi hit two doubles, and Marco Hernandez added two singles and two runs for Boston in a win over Atlanta at Fort Myers, Fla. Allen Craig had a two-run single and Tzu-Wei Lin hit a two-run double for the Red Sox. Kurt Suzuki's sixth-inning RBI single was one of just four Braves hits.

Twins 4, Nationals 2

Matt Hague's two-run homer snapped an eighth-inning tie as Minnesota rallied to beat Washington in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Twins tied the score earlier in the inning on a Sammy Solis wild pitch. Minnesota's Ben Paulsen and Washington's Michael Taylor each hit an RBI double.

Phillies (ss) 8, Tigers 5

Michael Saunders and Rhys Hopkins homered to lead a Philadelphia split squad past Detroit at Clearwater, Fla. Freddy Galvis, Hector Gomez and Hopkins each drove in two runs for the Phillies. Detroit got a three-run homer from Justin Upton.

Astros 7, Marlins 7

Houston rallied for four ninth-inning runs to tie the score, and the teams stopped without playing extra innings at Jupiter, Fla. A.J. Reed hit an RBI double for the Astros in the ninth, and Jon Kemmer, J.D. Davis and Tyler Heineman followed with run-scoring singles. Adeiny Hechavarria and Tyler Moore homered for Miami.

Rays 5, Blue Jays 3

Jaime Schultz struck out all three batters he faced in the eighth inning, and Kevin Gadea followed with a perfect ninth as Tampa Bay beat Toronto at Dunedin, Fla. Evan Longoria hit an RBI single for the Rays. Kevin Pillar, Jose Bautista and Jake Elmore collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays.

Cardinals 14, Mets 11

Jose Martinez hit a three-run homer, and Harrison Bader collected three hits and four RBIs as St. Louis outslugged New York at Port St. Lucie, Fla. Patrick Wisdom and Anthony Garcia also homered for the Cardinals. Yoenis Cespedes and Luis Guillorme went deep for the Mets.

A's 5, Mariners (ss) 4

Mark Canha hit a double and an RBI single as Oakland beat a Seattle split squad in Peoria, Ariz. Mariners starter Felix Hernandez struck out five but gave up two runs in three innings. D.J. Peterson homered for the Mariners.

Indians 8, Padres 2

Francisco Lindor hit run-scoring doubles in each of the first two innings as Cleveland topped San Diego at Goodyear, Ariz. Richie Shaffer and Bradley Zimmer homered for the Indians. Padres starter Clayton Richard allowed six runs on eight hits in two-plus innings.

Brewers 9, Rockies 4

Jesus Aguilar belted a two-run homer and an RBI double to guide Milwaukee to a victory over Colorado at Phoenix. The Brewers also got homers from Nick Noonan and Hernan Perez. Colorado's Trevor Story finished with a home run and a double.

Cubs 9, Rangers 9

Back-to-back homers by Jared Hoying and Jason Martinson in the eighth inning lifted Texas to a tie with Chicago in a game that ended after nine innings at Surprise, Ariz. Drew Robinson also homered for the Rangers. Chicago got a grand slam from Albert Almora as well as homers from Tommy La Stella and Willson Contreras.

Dodgers 7, Mariners (ss) 3

Starter Julio Urias threw two no-hit innings, and Los Angeles defeated a Seattle split squad at Glendale, Ariz. Yasiel Puig hit a solo homer and scored twice for the Dodgers. Kyle Waldrop's three-run homer accounted for all of the Mariners' scoring.

Royals 4, Giants 3

Kansas City scored single runs in each of the last three innings to wipe out a 3-1 deficit and beat San Francisco at Scottsdale, Ariz. Zane Evans' ninth-inning groundout knocked in the deciding run and Hunter Dozier went deep in the eighth. Buster Posey had two hits and knocked in two runs for the Giants, who got a homer from Mac Williamson.

Reds 11, Angels 3

Tony Renda went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer to lead Cincinnati to a victory over Los Angeles at Tempe, Ariz. Dilson Herrera, Jesse Winker and Patrick Kivlehan added two hits apiece for the Reds. Jefry Marte and Kole Calhoun homered from the Angels.

Diamondbacks 4, White Sox 1

Oswaldo Arcia's solo homer snapped a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning, and Ildemaro Vargas added a solo shot in the seventh as Arizona beat Chicago at Scottsdale, Ariz. Starter Taijuan Walker threw three scoreless innings for the Diamondbacks. The White Sox got a home run from Tyler Saladino.

[StarDust Bum]

Mariners say bye to big names for WBC
March 5, 2017

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Jean Segura were in a bit of a hurry after playing part of a spring training game.

The three Seattle Mariners had a plane to catch Saturday to Florida, where their teammates from the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team are convening in preparation to defend their 2013 title.

Segura is in the WBC for the first time.

''It's going to be really fun for us being around those guys,'' Segura said of his countrymen. ''It's something we're going to give our all to, for sure.''

Saturday and Sunday saw an exodus of Mariners to WBC camps in Florida, or a few miles away in Arizona. Come Monday, it'll be baseball as usual for the Mariners at spring training. Only without some big names.

With the conclusion of Sunday's games, the Mariners sent 12 players, both major leaguers and minor leaguers, to the WBC. That group, which became a dozen when shortstop Segura was added to the Dominican Republic roster last week in place of Hanley Ramirez, is the largest contingent in the Cactus League.

The departures mean the Mariners won't have their starting middle infield (Cano and Segura), designated hitter (Cruz) and ace (Venezuela's Felix Hernandez) for anywhere from eight to 18 days. Additionally, two more starting pitchers are in the WBC, though Drew Smyly won't go unless Team USA makes the second round, and closer Edwin Diaz will join Team Puerto Rico at its camp in nearby Scottsdale.

''The one thing I can say to the guys going to the WBC is have fun, enjoy yourself, don't get hurt,'' Mariners manager Scott Servais said. ''We have a big year ahead of us, they know that. They're in good shape, they're ready to go play. Opportunities for other guys to step up.''

If there is any positive to losing so many players, it's that there will be more innings for the youngsters in spring training games in the days to come.

Hernandez made his final start Sunday before heading to nearby Surprise to work out with Team Venezuela. After his three innings and 50 pitches to Oakland - in which he allowed two runs on four hits and struck out five - Hernandez is set to start the WBC opener for his country against Puerto Rico on Friday in Jalisco, Mexico.

He took part in the 2009 WBC, missed 2013 when he landed his big contract and is back this year.

''It's going to be a fun tournament,'' Hernandez said. ''It's really important to give Venezuela a victory after everything that is happening and the situation there being so bad. A win for Venezuela would be meaningful.''

Saturday's starting pitcher, Yovani Gallardo, took the short walk to the other side of the Peoria Sports Complex to join Team Mexico.

Gallardo was tagged for four earned runs in one inning of work in his first spring start, but struck out three in three scoreless innings against Colorado. He's in line to start Mexico's WBC opener against Italy in Jalisco on Thursday.

Gallardo has never pitched in Mexico, and said he's a little nervous but looks forward to the competition.

''You get together with other guys that are from that same country, get everybody in one room and it's exciting,'' said Gallardo, who pitched in the 2013 WBC. ''Very, very competitive from the first pitch on to the last pitch.''

Part of what the Mariners will be missing when Cano and Cruz are gone is the leadership they provide. When catcher Mike Zunino homered in the top of the second inning Saturday, Cano and Cruz were the first two players out of the dugout to slap hands with him.

Zunino, in turn, took a moment to wish his teammates luck at the WBC before exiting the clubhouse.

NOTES: Hernandez said of his Sunday start, the second of spring training: ''It was good, first inning was a little rough, but after that, it was fine. Last inning was really good.'' Hernandez said he threw mainly fastballs and struggled with his change-up and fastball location in the first inning, but that it improved. He allowed a run on three hits in two innings in his first spring start.

[StarDust Bum]

Mets RHP Harvey struggles in return
March 5, 2017

New York Mets right-hander Matt Harvey struggled in his first game action in eight months after shoulder surgery last summer.

Harvey suffered from thoracic outlet syndrome last year and had not pitched in a game since undergoing surgery to remove a rib in July.

The St. Louis Cardinals scored four runs against Harvey in 1 2/3 innings Sunday in a spring training game at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Even though he struggled with his fastball command and decreased velocity, Harvey was pleased.

"Obviously it's been eight months since I played against another team. The biggest thing was going out there and trying, I guess get my mechanics back against another team," Harvey told reporters after his outing. "Today was kind of the first step getting my feet wet in game action and I felt it went pretty well."

Harvey allowed a three-run homer and was pulled after getting two outs in the second inning. He struck out three and threw 39 pitches, topping out at 94 mph with his fastball.

"I think this year, I am taking things a little bit slower, realizing I want to get into the fifth or sixth inning before I really start ramping it up," said Harvey, who turns 28 on March 27. "It's still obviously the beginning of March, I realize there is time for the velo to pick up.

"I threw some good ones (fastballs), some bad ones. Obviously I got behind the count a couple times. ... Overall I was happy with some of the pitches I made. I was happy with some of the weak ground balls. You can't get those every time, but overall I am happy with the way I felt and the way the ball was coming out."

In his second season back from Tommy John surgery in 2016 before being shut down, Harvey went 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA in 17 starts. Overall for his career, Harvey is 29-28 with a 2.94 ERA in 82 starts.