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

[StarDust Bum]

Angels' P Richards works back from surgery
March 5, 2017

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Tommy John surgery might not need to be the answer for pitchers who blow out their elbows. That's what Garrett Richards is hoping.

The righty who might be the Los Angeles Angels' top starter made his first start this spring on Sunday, earning high-fives from his teammates after sailing through a scoreless first inning against Cincinnati. The Reds touched him up for four singles and three runs in the second.

''I felt totally fine,'' Richards said.

Richards may be the most prominent pitcher to opt against Tommy John surgery, where a tendon from another part of the body is transplanted to reconstruct the pitcher's elbow. Pitchers usually miss 12 to 18 months.

Instead, Richards used a combination of stem-cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma injections after he suffered a partial ligament tear in his elbow last May.

Because he figured he would miss the rest of 2016 and all the 2017 season, he had time to explore other options. So, stem cells from the marrow in Richards' pelvic bone were injected into his elbow.

After 10 days of rest, Richards said his elbow felt ''100 percent normal.'' He didn't try a comeback late last season, though, because the Angels were going through a down season.

As far as he's concerned, the mental hurdles were cleared last fall when he pitched for the Angels' instructional league team.

''The ball was coming out of my hand the best it's ever come out of my hand,'' he said.

''I went down an unorthodox avenue. I'm still kind of figuring it out. But everything feels normal. I've already been checked out by the doctor. It's perfectly fine. I'm just excited to be back out there,'' he said.

Richards said he hopes his story can give other pitchers with elbow damage ''another avenue to go down. Any time you can save yourself from getting cut on, I feel that's huge,'' he said.

The type of injury and the timing during a season are major factors, he said. But in any case, ''It worked for me.''

Other paths to Tommy John could become more commonplace, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

''There's no doubt the research is going in that direction, to where there are some alternatives,'' he said.

''There's been a huge advance in the last five years . (with) very encouraging'' results, Scioscia said. ''Although the player most likely will miss time, hopefully it's not going to be as devastating as having to have the transplant.''

Richards has had a normal spring with no limitations, he said. ''He's been full go.''

But this alternative to Tommy John surgery doesn't work for everyone.

Standing a few feet from Richards' locker Sunday morning was Andrew Heaney, an Angels' starting pitcher who also tried the stem-cell therapy.

''It just didn't work,'' Heaney said. ''Nothing happened.''

Tests, including MRIs and ultrasounds, showed no visible differences after the treatment, he said.

Heaney underwent Tommy John surgery and is likely to return in 2018.

''Medicine is always moving forward,'' Heaney said. ''It would be great, obviously, any time you can get guys back faster and not have to throw away a season or season-and-a-half. It would be huge.''

Then there's Tyler Skaggs, whose locker stands between Richards' and Heaney's.

''It would be great'' if stem-cell therapy could replace Tommy John surgery, Skaggs said. ''Everybody's elbow is different, though.''

Skaggs underwent the Tommy John elbow reconstruction in 2014. He returned in 2016, going 3-4 with a 4.17 ERA in 10 starts.

Skaggs said he is healthy and ready for the upcoming season.

''I'm excited. It's going to be a good year,'' he said.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 7

GAME TIME(ET) PICK

PHI at DET 01:05 PM

DET -147

ATL at PIT 01:05 PM

ATL +115

O 8.5

BOS at WAS 01:05 PM

BOS +110

O 8.5

TB at NYY 01:05 PM

TB +100

O 8.5

MIA at STL 01:05 PM

STL -135

O 8.5

COL at TEX 03:05 PM

TEX -135

SF at LAD 03:05 PM

SF +105

KC at CIN 03:05 PM

KC -116

OAK at ARI 03:10 PM

ARI -111

O 9.5

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MLB teams worry about players in WBC
March 6, 2017

MIAMI (AP) Honking horns, pulsing percussion and chanting crowds will transform Marlins Park into a Caribbean-style carnival this week for the World Baseball Classic.

To major league teams, it sounds dangerous.

WBC games are sure to inspire maximum effort by players eager to win for their country, which is exactly what worries their big league bosses. While spectators in the stands literally beat the drum on behalf of the international tournament, Major League Baseball managers and executives are less than thrilled about their players' participation.

''You're risking injury,'' Nationals manager Dusty Baker said.

''I think most coaches and managers rather not have guys go,'' Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said, ''but it has been good for baseball.''

The WBC, which began Monday in South Korea, draws big, noisy crowds, and players rave about the atmosphere. But less than a month into spring training, the tournament has them going all-out with the MLB season still weeks away.

Thus the fear of injury, a concern that has become as much a part of the quadrennial tournament as flag-waving.

''Going full speed, full boar, full game competition, third-deck fans screaming - baseball generally isn't played that way this time of year for us,'' Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez needed thumb surgery after getting hurt in the 2013 final, and it's difficult to gauge the toll participation takes later in the season. Edinson Volquez, Jake Peavy, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Scot Shields were among almost two dozen WBC pitchers hampered by injuries in the months after the 2009 tournament.

Volquez, now with the Marlins, is on the Dominican roster again this year. He acknowledged the WBC changes his preparation for the season.

''It's not like if you're pitching in spring training,'' he said. ''You are competing with another country. You put a lot of effort into that experience.''

Some players, including Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman and Yankees reliever Dellin Betances, said they began working out earlier than usual this winter because they knew their spring training preparation would be brief.

''You don't have that many games until the WBC,'' Betances said, ''but I feel like the adrenaline will kick in there and I'll be ready.''

Of particular concern are players coming off a short offseason, such as reliever Andrew Miller of the American League champion Cleveland Indians. But players seem to value the opportunity more than they fear any injury risk.

The U.S. roster included 18 All-Stars, two MVPs and nine Gold Glove winners, and other teams also attracted plenty of major leaguers.

''It's an honor for me to be chosen. It's a rare opportunity for a ballplayer to represent his country,'' said Indians catcher Roberto Perez, who will play for Puerto Rico. ''Injuries are always going to be there. It's something you can't control. It's a risk, but to have the chance to represent your country is unique.''

WBC rules limiting pitch counts and appearances are designed to protect pitchers. Managers around the majors say they're confident the U.S. staff will be carefully monitored by manager Jim Leyland and general manager Joe Torre.

Leyland said he feels that responsibility. But when the goal is to win, there's only so much he can do to keep his pitchers healthy.

''The biggest thing, for me, is that you're asking them to amp it up a little earlier than they normally would,'' Leyland said. ''And that can be dangerous.''

Teams worry that even if a player returns to their spring training camp healthy, the effects of taking part in the WBC might show up later.

Measuring that impact can be difficult, even in a sport full of statistics.

''What we don't know is the cumulative effect of getting ramped up, from a pitching perspective or from a position player perspective, and how that carries over into maybe the third or fourth or fifth month of the season,'' Hinch said. ''I'm not sure we're ever going to know.''

Baker said U.S. players might be more susceptible than players from some other countries.

''The Cubans and the teams from Asia are in better shape for this than we are,'' Baker said, ''because they train, train, train big time all year long for this.''

Marlins manager Don Mattingly tried to look on the bright side, noting the WBC can help players hone their skills because of the intense competition.

And Hinch noted the value of the experience for such youngsters as his infielder, second-year big leaguer Alex Bregman.

''I think we have to separate the managerial anxiety of what could happen from the actual experience,'' Hinch said. ''Bregman is going to be a kid in a candy store with all these superstars around the game for Team USA. That experience is hard to quantify.''

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PHI at ATL 01:05 PM

ATL +100

WAS at STL 01:05 PM

WAS +100

O 8.5

TOR at BAL 01:05 PM

BAL -135

O 8.5

LAA at CIN 03:05 PM

LAA -116

U 9.5

CLE at SEA 09:10 PM

CLE +105

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FRIDAY, MARCH 10

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at MIA 01:05 PM

MIN +120

TOR at DET 01:05 PM

TOR +125

NYY at PHI 01:05 PM

NYY -120

O 8.5

TB at PIT 01:05 PM

TB +110

O 8.5

STL at WAS 01:05 PM

WAS -116

CLE at SF 03:05 PM

CLE -111

CHC at SEA 03:10 PM

SEA -111

O 9.5

SD at LAA 03:10 PM

SD +115

O 9.5

BAL at BOS 06:05 PM

BOS -116

O 8.5

COL at CIN 08:05 PM

COL -116

OAK at KC 08:05 PM

OAK +120

TEX at LAD 09:05 PM

TEX +100

U 9.5

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SATURDAY, MARCH 11

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PIT at BAL 01:05 PM

BAL -125

MIA at HOU 01:05 PM

HOU -116

DET at NYY 01:05 PM

NYY -161

O 8.5

ATL at STL 01:05 PM

ATL +135

PHI at TOR 01:07 PM

TOR -125

WAS at NYM

NYM -152

KC at CLE 03:05 PM

CLE -116

LAA at LAD 03:05 PM

LAA -111

COL at CHC 03:05 PM

COL +125

SD at MIL 03:05 PM

MIL -125

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SUNDAY, MARCH 12

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TOR at TB 01:05 PM

TOR +115

HOU at WAS 01:05 PM

HOU +110

O 8.5

NYM at DET 01:05 PM

DET -111

STL at MIA 01:05 PM

MIA +100

ATL at NYY 01:05 PM

ATL +125

BOS at PHI 01:07 PM

BOS -116

ARI at SF 04:05 PM

SF -125

CHC at OAK 04:05 PM

CHC -132

O 9.5

CLE at SD 04:10 PM

CLE -125

U 9.5

SEA at LAA 04:10 PM

SEA +110

U 9.5

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WLT Pct Units Rank M/L Picks

121-109-16 52.61% +1035 420 of 2228

O/U Picks 22-21-0 51.16% -550 1652 of 2228


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at HOU 01:05 PM

HOU -141

U 8.5

NYY at PHI 01:05 PM

NYY -156

U 8.5

WAS at STL 01:05 PM

WAS +105

DET at TOR 01:07 PM

DET +120

MIA at NYM 01:10 PM

NYM -161

O 8.5

SF at MIL 04:05 PM

MIL -111

OAK at CHW 04:05 PM

CHW -125

SD at KC 04:05 PM

SD +115

CLE at COL 04:10 PM

CLE -116

O 9.5

TB at BAL 06:05 PM

BAL -120

U 8.5

CHC at CIN 09:05 PM

CHC -120

[StarDust Bum]

Mid-spring snapshot: Spring surprises for all 30 teams
March 22, 2017

As spring training begins to wind down, teams are getting surprise performances from players they might not have anticipated. Now is the time to figure out where those players fit in a team's plans, whether it is in the major leagues or in the minors.

Here is a look at the biggest surprises of spring training for each team, as determined by The Sports Xchange's national network of baseball correspondents.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

It is not really a surprise considering his work ethic and commitment, but Brandon Drury reported to camp thinner after a shift to second base and has shown the ability to handle the position on both sides of the ball. One major league talent evaluator called him a Jeff Kent type. Drury, who had 16 homers and a .786 OPS as a rookie third baseman/outfielder last season, has eight extra-base hits in 43 at-bats this spring.

COLORADO ROCKIES

Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, 22, who has yet to pitch at the Triple-A level, was limited to seven starts last year at Double-A Hartford, none after June 15 because of recurring shoulder inflammation and a return to his native Venezuela where his 52-year-old mother died in August of cancer. But with one walk and 15 strikeouts in 15 Cactus League innings, the competitive and poised Senzatela is contending for a place in the Opening Day rotation thanks to outstanding command of a mid-90s fastball, an average slider that should become a plus pitch and good arm speed on an average changeup.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The Dodgers expected LHP Scott Kazmir to rejoin their rotation when he signed a two-year contract worth $35.3 million in December. Yet on March 6, Kazmir left his second spring start after 14 pitches with a tight left hip. Since then, Kazmir's velocity unexpectedly and drastically dropped. Last year, the 33-year old averaged 91.6 mph on his fastball despite chronic hip, back and neck problems. But during a five-inning bullpen session Thursday against minor league batters, Kazmir averaged only 82-83 mph, threw just 44 strikes in 71 pitches and allowed two home runs.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Jabari Blash has five homers this spring while hitting .273 with eight walks thanks to an adjustment in his swing. With left fielder Alex Dickerson probably opening the season on the disabled list with a protruded disk in his lower back, Blash might have played his way into the starting lineup as well as an Opening Day roster spot. A Rule 5 pick by the Padres in December of 2015, Blash struggled in 2016 after a good spring. But he looks far more mature this spring at the age of 27.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

When Buster Posey left to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, the door swung open for Nick Hundley to prove he's worthy of the club's backup role this season. Instead, journeyman Tim Federowicz is making the most noise with six doubles among his first seven hits. Federowicz and Hundley are both hitting over .300, creating a stiff completion for the reserve catching role and potentially giving the Giants depth behind the plate.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

CHICAGO CUBS

Kyle Schwarber leading off and playing ... right field? Schwarber missed the 2016 regular season following left knee surgery only to return in time for a spectacular World Series, batting .412 average in five games. Normally a catcher, there's not much room for regular time with Willson Contreras in the top role and Miguel Montero as backup. Schwarber has also played in left field. With Dexter Fowler gone, Manager Joe Maddon has toyed with having him lead off and lately has pondered a right field role. The Cubs need his potent bat no matter what position he plays.

CINCINNATI REDS

Brandon Astin spent some time as a starter in college and in the minors, but his fastball-slider combo is thought to be best-served in the bullpen. Despite no Triple-A experience, Astin was considered an unlikely candidate to make the Opening Day roster. But, a 1.17 ERA in seven spring appearances helped his chances, as did his 12 strikeouts and no walks and one save in 6 2/3 innings. Heading into the final two weeks of camp there's a crowd looking to claim the final two bullpen spots, but Astin might be at the head the class.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Outfielder Keon Broxton has opened eyes with some impressive numbers this spring, but the transition of Scooter Gennett from second baseman to utility player has made things much easier for manager Craig Counsell. Gennett lost his starting job when Jonathan Villar was moved to accommodate top prospect Orlando Arcia. So Gennett took most of his spring work in left field, right field and third base. He's embraced the new role and figures to make the opening day roster as a jack-of-all-trades.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Surprises don't always favor the club. LHP Tony Watson's struggles are concerning. He inherited the closer job last year when Pittsburgh traded the reliable Mark Melancon to Washington. Watson has had trouble keeping his pitches down and getting batters out this spring. Through 4 1/3 innings over five outings, he had a 16.62 ERA with eight runs allowed on eight hits, three walks and six strikeouts. On March 19 against Toronto, he allowed five runs on three hits.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Outfielder Jose Martinez appears to have a good chance at sticking on his first Opening Night roster. Martinez is batting .400 this spring with four homers and 13 RBI, adding nine walks for an on-base percentage of .510. What's more, Martinez has played on occasion at first base, giving him another avenue to occasional starts. During the offseason, the son of former Major Leaguer Carlos Martinez spoke eloquently about what making an Opening Night roster would mean to him. Unless he slides badly in the last two weeks of spring training, it looks like he'll realize that goal.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

ATLANTA BRAVES

SPRING SURPRISE: It looked like left-handed reliever Eric O'Flaherty had about run out of major league chances. His career was the victim of wear and tear and a series of injuries. The Braves brought him back on a minor league contract and the veteran turned heads with his work in exhibition games after undergoing offseason elbow surgery. The team will go with eight relievers and three could be lefties -- O'Flaherty, Ian Krol and Paco Rodriguez.

MIAMI MARLINS

The Marlins may start the season without a lefty specialist. Mike Dunn, who signed as a free agent with the Colorado Rockies filled that lefty role for Miami with some success the past six years. Left-hander Jeff Locke (biceps injury) could eventually replace Dunn, but he will start the season on the disabled list. Left-handerHunter Cervenka was not effective in the bullpen when the Marlins acquired him last year, and might not make the club. Jarlin Garcia and Justin Nicolino are lefties on the 40-man roster but both are in the minors and are being trained as starters.

NEW YORK METS

The Mets have to be thrilled with how good right-hander Jacob deGrom looks after undergoing ulnar nerve surgery last September. DeGrom has shown no ill effects in uncorking a fastball regularly clocked at 97 mph, which is more than three mph faster than his average fastball last year. If deGrom -- who has a 2.74 ERA in his first three seasons -- is all the way back and then some, the Mets may have the best 1-2 punch in baseball with him and ace Noah Syndergaard.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

First baseman/outfielder Brock Stassi has done pretty much everything he can to make the Opening Day roster and it still may not be enough. Stassi, 27, a 33rd-round pick by the Phillies in 2011, is among the spring leaders in home runs (five) and RBI (15). The left-handed hitting first baseman has also spent time this spring in left and right field. He could serve as a reserve to Tommy Joseph, a backup in a corner outfield spot and -- simply -- a left-handed hitting pinch hitting option. Stassi, whose 1.209 OPS is among the best in baseball this spring, is not currently on the team's 40-man roster.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Right-hander Koda Glover, 23, was 2-0 with a 5.03 ERA last season as he made his big league debut with the Nationals, pitching in 19 games. The Nationals feel he has the mentality to be a closer one day. Glover began last year at the Single-A level. "It can only help him," pitching coach Mike Maddux said of Glover's cup of coffee last year. "It was quite a first trip to the big leagues. He has a five-pitch mix and is ultra-aggressive." Glover had a 1.13 spring training ERA in eight innings.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

HOUSTON ASTROS

While the Astros already employ a valuable utility infielder in Marwin Gonzalez, the strong spring training performance of veteran Reid Brignac had increased the likelihood of the club adding another versatile infielder to their bench. A non-roster invitee with 369 career games spread across six clubs, Brignac posted a slash line of .324/.375/.514 with eight RBIs over his first 19 games and 37 at-bats. Gonzalez shouldered a heavy load filling in multiple roster gaps in 2016. Brignac might be a viable option to alleviate pressure on Gonzalez.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

When right-hander Garrett Richards tore his ulnar collateral ligament in May, most observers thought he would miss all of this season. But instead of undergoing Tommy John surgery, Richards relied on injections of stem cells and platelet-rich plasma to regenerate the tissue. So far, so good. After doctors cleared him to throw in August, Richards pitched during the fall in Arizona's instructional league with no ensuing damage. This spring, Richards' fastball reached 100 mph in his second outing. "He's just where he should be," manager Mike Scioscia told the Orange County Register.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

The A's signed the 29-year-old Ryan Lavarnway to serve as a veteran backup at Triple-A. Predictably, he rarely saw the light of day early on in camp in a crowded room of catchers. But what had to catch A's management's eye -- perhaps more so than anything else a catcher did -- was how the journeyman tore up the pitching in the Seoul pool of the World Baseball Classic, earning MVP honors in Israel's surprising 3-0 start.

SEATTLE MARINERS

Offense hasn't been a problem, even while stars Robinson Cano, Jean Segura and Nelson Cruz were playing at the WBC. Youngsters such as outfielders Mitch Haniger, Guillermo Heredia and Tyler O'Neill helped provide plenty of offense on a team that spent a good part of the offseason renovating a lineup that scored the third-most runs and hit the second-most home runs in the American League last season.

TEXAS RANGERS

After a sub-par sophomore season that saw him get sent to Triple A, a slimmed down Delino DeShields has played himself back into the outfield conversation and could see more playing time than the No. 4 outfield spot he was pegged for. The Rangers plan to play Shin-Soo Choo at designated hitter more than in right field to keep him healthy. That means the speedy DeShields, who has a .388 on-base percentage this spring, has worked his way into a spot competing for playing time with Ryan Rua.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Journeyman outfielder Peter Bourjos knew that nothing would be guaranteed when he signed a minor league deal with the White Sox during the offseason. Several months later, Bourjos looks like the favorite to win the starting job in center field. The 29-year-old is hitting .333 (13-for-39) with two doubles, three triples and two RBIs in 16 spring games. Bourjos could start ahead of rookie center fielder Charlie Tilson, who has been plagued by injuries throughout the spring and will open the season on the disabled list.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

Second baseman Jason Kipnis will start the season on the disabled list due to right shoulder inflammation. Kipnis only appeared in two spring training games, both early in camp, and both as a designated hitter. The original prognosis was he'd sit out some of the early spring training games, but the shoulder condition has persisted. On March 18 the Indians announced that Kipnis was approximately four to six weeks away from being ready to play in a major league game.

DETROIT TIGERS

Left-hander Matt Boyd has had a solid spring and seems to have nailed down a spot in Detroit's rotation. Boyd, who faded down the stretch last year, has continued to work with a lowered arm slot in his delivery with positive results. His fastball is up a tick or two, his control is better to both sides of the plate, his curve and changeup are sharper and Boyd is throwing more strikes early in at-bats. He gets hurt throwing fastballs in fastball counts. Getting ahead in the count gives him four options to throw in four strike zone areas.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Nathan Karns has a power arm but is unproven. He also had not pitched since July 29 when a herniated disk sidelined him with the Mariners. Karns, however, came to camp healthy and with an improved slider. He beat out veteran Chris Young and left-hander Travis Wood for the fifth and final rotation slot. Karns went 6-2 with a 5.15 ERA last season with Seattle. He was acquired in a January trade for outfielder Jarrod Dyson. Young and Wood open the season as long men in the bullpen.

MINNESOTA TWINS

While the starting lineup appears all but set, Byung-ho Park might have changed the plans for the designated hitter spot. Park hit .191 last year in his arrival from South Korea, had wrist surgery and was even taken off the 40-man roster before spring training. This spring, Park leads the team with four home runs and is hitting .361. More importantly, he's handled fastballs better after struggling to adjust to harder throwers in the North America. Kennys Vargas was expected to be the designated hitter, but he's only had 13 at-bats because he's been away for the WBC.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Craig Gentry and Joey Rickard's success have made an already confusing corner outfield situation tougher to figure out. The veteran Gentry has a .282 average through 21 games while Rickard (.343, 21 games) has played well after missing most of the second half of an impressive rookie year with a thumb injury. The Orioles already have other possible corner outfielders, and the question is where (or if) these two could make the Opening Day roster. But that's a nice problem to deal with.

BOSTON RED SOX

Veteran right-hander Kyle Kendrick is 81-81 in his career but didn't pitch in the major leagues last year and has battled shoulder trouble. He's healthy and decided to defy the odds and enter a crowded Red Sox staff and rotation picture. Through six games, five starts, he is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA, allowing 17 hits, walking four and striking out 20 in 23 innings.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Gleyber Torres is projected to be a major leaguer by 2019 or even 2018 but is impressing during his first major league spring training so much that manager Joe Girardi compared him to Miguel Cabrera last week. Torres, who has yet to play above high Single-A, is hitting .448 during spring training. While he will be in the minors on Opening Day, it's accurate to say Torres is making a bigger impression on the Yankees than anticipated.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Rickie Weeks was a late addition on a minor league contract, but he's impressed as a consistent bat, hitting .360 with three home runs and 10 RBIs, all close to the team lead. Weeks can help at first base, where the Rays have searched for consistency since releasing James Loney before last season. He also can provide another key bat, especially early when OF Colby Rasmus and SS Matt Duffy are likely to open the season on the disabled list.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Darrell Ceciliani played in only 13 games for the Blue Jays last season, spending most of the season at Triple-A Buffalo, where he dealt with a shoulder injury. His hard-nosed style has made a fan of manager John Gibbons. Ceciliani had a five-RBI game against the Philadelphia Phillies that included a grand slam on March 17. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter could force his way into an outfield role, especially with a platoon being used in left field and 36-year-old right fielder Jose Bautista could be spelled at times during the season.

[StarDust Bum]

Bumgarner sharp in latest spring start
March 21, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Madison Bumgarner looked sharp again in his latest spring training outing, though it lasted only two innings.

Officially, anyway. After the San Francisco ace blanked the Padres, he went to the bullpen to throw some more Tuesday, taking breaks to simulate game conditions. He threw 85 pitches in during the day.

Bumgarner struck out three and allowed two hits without a run against San Diego. He's going to get five days off before his spring training finale, slated for March 27 against Cincinnati, then five more rest days before taking the mound on opening day in Arizona April 2.

''I'm not ever going to complain about an extra day,'' Bumgarner said.

Bumgarner was in the lineup as the No. 9 hitter, but never got up to bat. He did, however, blow a 3-2 high fastball by the Padres' Allen Cordoba to end the second inning, then changed his route to the dugout to stop and have a chat with plate umpire Ben May, presumably about a pitch called a ball earlier in the at-bat.

The left-hander didn't comment on what was said.

Bumgarner threw six innings in his last outing as continues to ramp up for the season. He has not allowed an earned run in each of his past three spring training starts, as he was built up from one inning on Feb. 25 to six on March 15. He has nine strikeouts in 12 innings from those three starts, and his spring training ERA is 2.50.

''He's ready to go,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ''We feel like we've got him where we need him. These starters are right where we need to have them.''

MORSE OUT

First baseman-outfielder Michael Morse said he injured his left hamstring running in the Giants' game against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. He said he is day to day after a scan revealed nothing torn.

Morse, who returned to the Giants on a minor league deal after taking almost all of last season off, was in strong contention to win a reserve spot on the big league roster, but that could now be in jeopardy.

The veteran, who turns 35 on Wednesday and won a World Series with the Giants in 2014, seemed upbeat despite the injury.

''I feel better already,'' he said. ''I either thought I was going to do really bad or really good (in spring) and I thought I played pretty good. ... I don't think this is something that will stop me from playing.''

Bochy said Morse will miss at least two weeks.

''It's too bad for him. He was playing some really good ball, swinging the bat well, doing all the things he needed to do to make this club,'' Bochy said. ''He just said he reached for the bag and felt it, so it's going to take a little while.''

Morse had said he would consider retirement if he didn't make the club out of spring training, but Bochy hopes he chooses to get well and come back.

''He came to camp in tremendous shape, and that should show him that he still has some baseball left, good baseball,'' Bochy said. ''So my hope is he'll sit down and think about it and get back from rehabbing it.''

NOTES: An MRI on reliever Will Smith's injured left elbow revealed a sprain and a strain, Bochy said. The pitcher went to San Francisco on Tuesday for further evaluation. It's potentially a major loss for the Giants, at least for some time, as Smith was expected to be a key late-inning pitcher out of the bullpen. Bochy said he will know more on Wednesday. ... OF Mac Williamson could miss a few weeks with a quadriceps injury, Bochy said.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB notebook: Bonds back with Giants
March 21, 2017

Barry Bonds, major-league baseball's all-time home runs leader, is re-joining the San Francisco Giants as a special advisor to CEO Larry Baer and will join the team at spring training on Wednesday.

"We are delighted to welcome Barry back home to the Giants," Baer said in a statement. "As one of the greatest players of all time, Barry's contributions to our organization are legendary."

Bonds, 52, spent the last 15 seasons of his 22-year career with the Giants and became the game's home run king during his final season in 2007. He hit 762 career homers, including 586 with San Francisco.

Bonds served as the Miami Marlins' hitting coach during the 2016 season, but was fired. Miami ranked fourth in team batting average (.263) but 27th in runs scored.

--Shortstop Tim Anderson and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a contract worth up to $25 million, the richest deal in baseball history for a player with less than one season of service time.

The six-year contract includes two additional options that would keep Anderson with the White Sox until 2022.

Anderson, 23, is viewed as a foundation piece for a rebuilding franchise and earns $850,000 this season, and has a $1 million buyout on the contract after the sixth year of the deal. Anderson could be with the White Sox through his age 31 season.

--Outfielder Andre Ethier of the Los Angeles Dodgers might miss Opening Day after an MRI exam revealed a herniated disk in his lower back.

Ethier received a pain-killing epidural injection, but he cannot perform any baseball-related activities for a week to 10 days.

Ethier has dealt with soreness in his back and hip for much of March, and he was unable to get it loose for Sunday's game.

--The Toronto Blue Jays and manager John Gibbons agreed to a two-year contract extension, according to multiple reports.

The agreement also includes an option for the 2020 season.

Gibbons, 54, has guided the Blue Jays to the American League Championship Series in each of the past two seasons. The team went 89-73 in 2016 after going 93-69 the previous season.

[StarDust Bum]

Giants' Cueto sharp in 5-inning outing against White Sox
March 20, 2017

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Instead of facing Japan in the World Baseball Classic, Johnny Cueto pitched in the Cactus League on Monday. He made the most of it.

The right-hander threw five innings and allowed just a hit and a run, helping the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in his third outing of the spring.

Cueto would have started for the Dominican Republic against Japan on Tuesday night if his home country had advanced to the WBC semifinals in Los Angeles. The Dominicans lost to the United States on Saturday night, though, leaving Cueto to wonder if his stuff Monday would have been enough in the international tournament.

''You can never tell, but I do know that I was going to go crazy out there and just pitch the way I always pitch,'' Cueto said through an interpreter.

Cueto might have pitched for the Dominicans earlier in the tournament, but he arrived late in camp due to his father's illness.

Earlier this year, Domingo Cueto had stroke-like symptoms and was hospitalized in the Dominican, but he accompanied his son to Arizona and now is feeling well enough that he was able to attend Monday's game at Camelback Ranch.

With his father's health improved and no international duties left, Cueto is focusing on his regular job helping lead the Giants rotation.

''That's what I was working for, to get ready for the Classic. Now that it's over, I just got to concentrate on what's ahead,'' he said.

''I'm just going to continue working the same way I've been doing, especially today, I was working with my sinker. I think I'm getting closer and closer. As I pitch more, I think I'm getting ready.''

Cueto was 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 32 starts during his first season with San Francisco. He certainly looked ready Monday. On a 91-degree day, he struck out three and didn't walk anyone, though he did hit Avisail Garcia with a changeup. The only hit was a triple by Peter Bourjos, who later scored on Leury Garcia's sacrifice fly.

''What a great job he did, mixing it up. He's right on schedule,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Cueto. ''He knows what he's doing, he's got a plan when he goes out there. He knows what he wants to work on.

''He's got two more starts (before the season starts). It was hot out there and he gave us five innings of solid work. He'll be ready.''

Giants left-hander Will Smith was pulled with elbow tightness during the eighth inning. Bochy said Smith had a similar issue in the same spot earlier in spring training and that he may get an MRI.

Smith was 2-4 with a 3.65 ERA with Milwaukee and San Francisco last season.

''We didn't want to take any chances,'' Bochy said. ''It's not good, but we're hoping for the best news we can get.''

The Giants got all their runs on a homer by Ryder Jones in the eighth inning.

Reynaldo Lopez countered Cueto with six scoreless innings for Chicago, allowing two hits and striking out four.

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at PHI 01:05 PM

PHI -135

O 8.5

PIT at BOS 01:05 PM

BOS -161

NYM at WAS 01:05 PM

NYM +100

U 8.5

NYY at TB 01:05 PM

NYY -125

O 8.5

MIA at STL 01:05 PM

STL -147

COL at CLE 04:05 PM

CLE -167

CIN at CHW 04:05 PM

CIN +120

O 9.5

MIL at OAK 04:05 PM

MIL +100

CHC at ARI 04:10 PM

ARI +115

LAA at SD 04:10 PM

SD -111

O 9.5

DET at ATL 06:05 PM

DET -116

U 8.5

LAD at TEX 07:05 PM

LAD -152

U 9.5

SEA at SF 09:05 PM

SF -116

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PHI at NYY 01:05 PM

PHI +135

U 8.5

TB at PIT 01:05 PM

PIT -152

U 8.5

ATL at DET 01:05 PM

ATL +105

U 8.5

BOS at TOR 01:07 PM

TOR -141

O 8.5

HOU at NYM 01:10 PM

NYM -156

O 8.5

CLE at CHC 04:05 PM

CLE +115

ARI at LAD 04:05 PM

ARI +130

MIL at CIN 04:05 PM

MIL -105

CHW at OAK 04:05 PM

CHW +100

U 9.5

SD at TEX 04:05 PM

TEX -147

SF at COL 04:10 PM

SF +115

O 9.5

BAL at MIN 07:05 PM

BAL +105

O 8.5

[StarDust Bum]

Kershaw strikes out 11 Rangers in 6 scoreless innings
March 23, 2017

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Clayton Kershaw showed there's no cause for concern after a mediocre performance in his previous spring training start.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ace struck out 11 in six scoreless innings as the Dodgers beat the Texas Rangers 10-2 on Thursday. He allowed two singles and walked none.

Kershaw lost to Seattle on March 17, giving up four runs on six hits, including three home runs, in five innings.

''Just sometimes you pitch better,'' Kershaw said. ''I think I just pitched a little bit better today.''

Kershaw began the game by striking out the first four batters. He ended his outing by striking out the final five.

''The fastball command wasn't as good as I need it to be during the season,'' Kershaw said. ''I fell behind a lot of guys. Just, longer at-bats gets your pitch count up. It makes it tough to go seven or eight innings.

''Overall, I felt it was better tonight. I threw everything well at times. Just the fastball command has to get a little bit better.''

He threw 92 pitches.

''It is probably more than I'd like for six innings in a real game, but definitely OK for this one,'' Kershaw said.

Kershaw cherished the extra day between starts.

''I'm not one of those guys that has to pitch every five days,'' he said. ''I'll definitely take that extra day if it works out that way if they give it to me. It didn't hurt.''

Kershaw has allowed 10 hits, struck out 28 and walked four in 21 innings over six starts.

While the Rangers used a designated hitter, Kershaw hit. He walked to lead off the sixth.

''I didn't take the bat off my shoulder,'' Kershaw said.

He took second on a wild pitch, but would have been out if not for catcher Robinson Chirinos' poor throw.

''I was probably not the smartest guy in the world to take second base there,'' Kershaw said. ''It's good to be out there and learn your limitations. I was a little fortunate that it was a bad throw, but I'll take it.''

Third base coach Chris Woodward held up Kershaw at third on Chase Utley's single to center.

''Woody is probably just looking after me a little bit,'' Kershaw said.

Chase Utley hit a two-run homer in the first, while Yasiel Puig contributed a two-run single in third. The Dodgers scored seven runs in the first four innings off Rangers right-hander Dillon Gee.

***************************

Greinke faces Cubs in what he says was best outing of spring
March 23, 2017

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Zack Greinke has one more spring start before he embarks on what he hopes is a bounce-back season for him and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In an outing he described as ''solid,'' the right-hander went five innings plus two batters against the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

''I was going a little slow early on but felt pretty strong out there today,'' Greinke said. ''I made a couple of mistakes but it was definitely the highest percentage of executed pitches so far.''

His biggest mistake came against Jake Arrieta, who homered on a 1-2 pitch in the third inning for the Cubs' first run.

''Not one of my better pitches,'' Greinke said.

He threw 83 pitches, 55 strikes.

''He had some great sequences,'' new Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. ''He was finishing off some hitters and the depth of his breaking ball was quality. He threw some quality change ups so I thought overall it was a very positive outing for Zack.''

Greinke was glad to face such a potent lineup.

''That was nice, I guess, nice when you do OK,'' he said. ''It would be bad if you gave up 10 runs - but some good hitters, good at bats and a deeper lineup.''

It was only the second major league team he has faced this spring. The other was 1 2-3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first appearance.

His other outings have come against Mexico, a minor league club and The Netherlands.

Greinke will be Arizona's opening day starter a week from Sunday at home against Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants.

Greinke, signed to a six-year, $206.5 million contract before last season, went 13-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 2016, battling injuries along the way as the Diamondbacks got off to an awful start and finished next-to-last in the NL West.

That followed his phenomenal 2015 season with the Dodgers, when he was 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA.

Greinke, known for his command, not his pitching speed, was able to maintain the velocity of his fastball at 91 mph throughout his appearance on Thursday, hitting 92 at times.

His velocity hadn't been that high early in the spring but had shown improvement lately.

''I know he wasn't concerned about it,'' Lovullo said before the game. ''It's a series of steps for him where he wants to lock down his command and the velocity comes along with that, comes along shortly after that. It was good to see that things are improving. Had we had these conversations in mid-June I might be a little bit more concerned, but he's exactly where we want him to be.''

Greinke is the only pitcher who has been announced for the Diamondbacks' rotation, but Lovullo promised his decision on the others will be coming soon.

Greinke's last spring outing is scheduled to be next Tuesday against Seattle.

''It would be nice to have another one even better next outing,'' he said, ''and do what I can to keep it moving forward.''

Notes: The crowd of 14,002, loaded with Cubs fans, was a record for the Diamondbacks' Salt River Fields. ... Jake Lamb hit a two-run, opposite-field home run off Arrieta. .. Arrieta, the Cubs' opening day pitcher, went five innings plus a batter, allowing three runs on eight hits, with four strikeouts and no walks.