2018 MLB Spring Training Look At All Teams-Trades-Rumours-Injuries ETC. !

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Clark: Some free agents may not get deals until season
March 2, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Baseball union head Tony Clark says it is possible some free agents may not agree to contracts until after the start of the regular season.

More than four dozen players remain without deals from among the 166 who exercised free agent rights last November, and the total seeking jobs is much greater when released players, non-tender free agents and minor league free agents are included.

''We know in the past there have been players that have signed deals later, so we'll have to see how the rest of the offseason works out,'' Clark said Friday after meeting with the New York Yankees during his tour of spring training camps.

Top free agents include pitchers Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn and Greg Holland, and third baseman Mike Moustakas.

''What we are seeing is proving very challenging for that group of players and a number of others,'' Clark said. ''You can't help but acknowledge the quality of those free agents that are still out there that could undoubtedly help teams compete. That is a concern.''

Baseball's labor contract agreed to last year included steeper penalties for teams exceeding the luxury tax threshold by more than $40 million, which coincided with more teams deciding to rebuild their rosters with youth.

The union filed a grievance last week against Miami, Oakland, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, accusing the teams of failing to appropriately spend revenue-sharing money.

''It appears that we have upwards of a third of the league not interested in trying to be team the last team standing,'' Clark said.

''Our system is set up where a team like the Yankees are contributing to revenue sharing in an effort to have those teams who aren't in New York, give them the chance to put the most competitive team on the field as possible,'' Clark added. ''I'll simply suggest that teams that are making that kind of contribution I would think would be looking for those teams to put the most competitive group on the field as possible.''

Players expressed concerns about the slow pace of free agency.

''There is an understanding and appreciation for what the rest of their fraternity is going through and whether to what extent it may affect them now or may affect them later,'' Clark said.

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Reds claim Labourt off waivers from Tigers
March 2, 2018

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) The Cincinnati Reds claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Detroit Tigers on Friday and optioned him to their minor league camp.

Detroit had designated the 23-year-old reliever for assignment. He appeared in six games for the Tigers last season and had a 4.50 ERA, walking seven in six innings.

Right-handed starter Rookie Davis was placed on the 60-day disabled list Friday as he recovers from hip surgery. The Reds also assigned right-handers Barrett Astin, Ben Rowen and Domingo Tapia to their minor league camp.

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Schoeman dominates season-opening world series triathlon
March 2, 2018

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) South African triathlete Henri Schoeman became only the second man in world series history to win a race after leading out of the swim, bike and run on Friday.

In the women's race, Rachel Klamer became the first Dutch triathlete - female or male - to top a world series podium.

Schoeman's six-second victory in the season-opening Abu Dhabi race was only his second in the world series, after the Cozumel Grand Final in 2016.

He made his move on the third lap of the bike, riding the last 10 kilometers solo and taking a 13-second lead into the run.

Unseasonal rain made the bike ride on part of the Formula One track slick, and several racers crashed, including Jonathan Brownlee, who resumed cautiously and finished seventh.

''I was telling myself that if they catch me on the run, well, whatever, because I had fun on the bike and I was safe,'' Schoeman said.

Second was Mario Mola of Spain, the Abu Dhabi winner in 2015 and 2016. Vincent Luis of France was third in a repeat of 2017.

Bike crashes forced the withdrawals of women's world champion Flora Duffy, fellow American Katie Zaferes, and Joanna Brown of Canada.

The Americans were among the leading pack of 11 on the bike, which dropped to four on the run. Klamer broke away on the last lap and won by 14 seconds.

''There was no way I was expecting this,'' Klamer said. ''I was quite scared on the bike because the last few months I have been training on only straight roads and didn't do any corners. There was a lot of women crashing so I just decided to take it easy, ride hard, but just go easy through the corners.''

Jessica Learmonth of Britain was second and Natalie Van Coevorden of Australia was given third in a photo finish with Kirsten Kasper of the U.S.

The second race in the series is in Bermuda on April 28-29.

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Bell wants fast start after slow finish
March 2, 2018

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) Overall, Josh Bell had a fine rookie season in 2017.

The Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting behind unanimous winner Cody Bellinger of the Los Angles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals' Paul DeJong.

Bell's 26 home runs established an NL rookie record for a switch-hitter. He also had a .255 batting average and a team-high 90 RBIs in 159 games.

However, the 25-year-old Bell is looking for more consistency after a slow start and cold finish last year. He arrived at spring training nearly a full month before the reporting day.

''I felt it was important to shake the cobwebs off earlier this year,'' Bell said. ''Some guys can roll out of bed and be ready to play in a game. I'm not that way. I need more time to prepare and the more prepared I am the more confident I am that I'll perform well.''

Bell hit just .214 with two homers in his first 20 games last season after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his left knee two weeks before spring training opened. However, the Pirates gave no thought of sending him back to Triple-A Indianapolis.

''Josh was still trying to literally get his legs under him,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''It was a little frustrating for him and we had to pump the air breaks a few times.''

Bell was hitting .262 with 23 home runs at the end of August. But he hit just .221 with three homers in his last 27 games.

The poor finish caused Bell to change his offseason itinerary.

He originally planned to drive the length of the Pacific Coast Highway to take in some breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Instead, he stayed home in Dallas and spent extra time in the weight room and batting cage.

''You always want to finish the season strong and go into the offseason with a good feeling,'' Bell said. ''I was very disappointed with the way last season ended. I don't want that to happen again this year. I tried to take safeguards to avoid that from happening.''

The Pirates, though, were pleased with Bell's performance.

''There were some ups and downs but you're going to have that with young players,'' Hurdle said. ''I like what Josh Bell did last season and I like what he can do us going forward. I like Josh Bell a lot.''

The Pirates also appreciated Bell's defense graded well in advanced metrics. He was shifted to first base from outfield in instructional league following the 2014 season.

''I've put a lot of time into learning the position and it felt like everything started really coming together last year,'' Bell said.

The Pirates have had high hopes for Bell since selecting him with the first pick of the second round of the 2011 amateur draft.

''Josh is one of the young, potential leaders of this group,'' Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington said. ''He had a great rookie season, and instead of taking a deep breath and saying, `I've got this thing figure out,' he wants to go to the next level. He wants to be a good player for a very long time.''

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Lind agrees to a minor deal with Yankees
March 2, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Adam Lind agreed Friday to a minor league contract with the Yankees, giving New York another backup option to Greg Bird at first base.

The 34-year-old Lind had been at the training camp for free agents organized by the players' association in Bradenton. If added to New York's 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract with a $2 million salary while in the major leagues.

''The way the winter worked out, I'm just happy to have a job,'' Lind said.

He batted .303 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs in 116 games and 301 plate appearances for Washington last season, including four home runs in 48 plate appearances as a pinch hitter.

Lind has a .272 average with 200 homers and 723 RBIs in 12 big league seasons with Toronto (2006-14), Milwaukee (2015), Seattle (2016) and Washington (2017).

His deal allows him to opt out later in spring training.

Notes: Yankees backup OF Jacoby Ellsbury was a late scratch from Friday's lineup against Atlanta with right side tightness.

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Tigers P Wood has torn knee ligament
March 2, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) Detroit left-hander Travis Wood has a torn left ACL and medial meniscus in left knee.

Wood twisted the knee while starting a rundown in the second inning of his spring training debut Thursday and fell to the ground clutching his knee.

Detroit said Friday its training staff is evaluating surgical options.

The 31-year-old, who pitched in three games of the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs, agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers. He was held out of the early exhibition games because of an injury to his right index finger, sustained during a hunting accident.

Wood was 4-7 with a 6.80 ERA last year in 14 starts and 25 relief appearances for San Diego and Kansas City.

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Padres phenom Tatis Jr. born to play in the big leagues
March 2, 2018

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) There's no question Fernando Tatis Jr.'s birthright is to play major league baseball.

Having just turned 19, the phenom is in his first big league camp with the San Diego Padres. He's one of baseball's top prospects, is the son of a former major leaguer and, until Eric Hosmer signed as a free agent, was probably the one player in the organization that fans of the downtrodden Padres were most eager to see.

If the shortstop plays as well as he did last year in making the jump from low Class A to Double-A, he could get his first call-up, perhaps in September.

Why is he so good, so young?

''This kid was born in the big leagues,'' his father said from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, which often is referred to as ''The Cradle of Shortstops.''

Tatis Jr. was born on Jan. 2, 1999, just before his dad's third big league season. Fernando Tatis' 11-year big league career ended just eight years ago.

''I was already there playing for the Cardinals,'' the elder Tatis said. ''As soon as he opened his eyes, everything he watched was big league baseball.''

Fittingly, Tatis Jr. is the face of the Padres' rebuild around young players. He was obtained as the team scrapped its failed win-now attempt with high-priced veterans, coming over from the White Sox in the deal that sent James Shields to Chicago in June 2016.

Tatis Jr. said he talks with his father by phone every day.

The senior Tatis will visit his son in spring training soon. Tatis Jr. hit an impressive opposite-field home run in his second Cactus League at-bat and has been making nice plays at shortstop.

''He's happy for me, man,'' said Tatis Jr., the youngest player in any big league camp. ''He brought me into this game since I was a kid and now here we are, since a young age and doing stuff and playing the good baseball.''

Tatis recalls being a clubhouse kid.

''I remember my dad was taking me to the field. It was fun. It was great. It was a thing that I love and that was the first love that I brought to this game.''

Padres general manager A.J. Preller was with the Texas Rangers when he first saw Tatis Jr. when he was 14 or 15. Tatis Jr. ended up signing with the White Sox. That Padres scouting department continued to follow Tatis Jr., so when the Padres moved Shields, the young player was a ''priority guy,'' the GM said.

''When you see guys you like, that are interesting, obviously the son of a big leaguer and everything like that, those guys stick with you,'' Preller said.

The GM likes Tatis Jr.'s lineage.

''In general, being familiar with being around the ballpark, being in the clubhouse, having an understanding what offseasons look like, and work ethics, all of those things come into play,'' Preller said. ''You're given another experience at an earlier age than guys obviously if your dad didn't play. We see it as an advantage from a bloodline standpoint. Not all the time, but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in a lot of these situations.''

Tatis Jr. had a big 2017 season, when he started at Low-A Fort Wayne and tore up the Midwest League before being promoted to Double-A San Antonio in August. Spring training will give the Padres a better look at how close he is to coming up and, if expectations play out, stop the revolving door at shortstop.

The Padres have had a different starting shortstop each of the last four opening days. They traded for Freddy Galvis, who has one year left on his contract, to keep the spot warm for Tatis.

''I think I'm ready,'' said Tatis who at 6-foot-3 is four inches taller than his father. ''Everything's a process, but what can I say. I've worked hard for it and am still going to keep going until I get a call.''

Preller said Tatis likely will start the season at Double-A. A promotion to the bigs will depend on a lot of factors, a big one being how he does against pitchers in the Texas League.

''The good ones, they come quick,'' Preller said. ''We're going to try to challenge guys. We're not going to put them where they drown.''

Last Friday, in his second Cactus League at-bat, Tatis Jr. hit a monster opposite-field homer on a seemingly effortless two-strike swing.

He struck out three times in his next game and had two more 0-for-3 games, but then had two hits during a seven-run sixth inning Wednesday , as well as a nice defensive play.

Tatis and other young players ''are going to push as hard as they can to be here as fast as they can,'' manager Andy Green said. ''We want them to do that. It's our job to tap the brakes and take our time with them if we think they need more time and seasoning. They're clearly dynamic baseball players and we're excited to have them.''

Cal Quantrill, himself the son of a former big leaguer, played with Tatis Jr. last year.

''He's the real deal,'' Quantrill said. ''He's obviously extremely young but he's gifted well, well beyond his years. We shall see.''

Tatis' biggest fan is his father.

''I'm telling you, they're going to have a shortstop forever because he's only 19 years old. Oh my God. He might be there 20 years. Who knows?'' Fernando Tatis said with a laugh.

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March MLB Record: ( Opinions Only )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/02/2018 13-5-0 72.22% +40.50
03/01/2018 9-8-2 52.94% -1.45


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Saturday’s 6-pack

Odds to win college basketball national title:

5-1: Michigan State, Villanova, Duke

6-1: Virginia

10-1: Purdue, Kansas

15-1: North Carolina

20-1: Wichita State

22-1: Michigan

Quote of the Day
“I’m strictly a quarterback. Whoever likes me at quarterback, thats where I’m going.”
Lamar Jackson

Saturday’s quiz
Who was basketball coach at North Carolina before Roy Williams?

Friday’s quiz
NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans have traded their first round draft pick four of the last five years; the one player they did draft, they later traded to Sacramento— Buddy Hield.

Thursday’s quiz
Benjamin Franklin’s picture is on the $100 bill.

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Saturday’s List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind……

13) Virginia 67, Louisville 66— Someone on Twitter Thursday night described this as the worst loss by any team, EVER!!!

— Louisville led by 4 with 0:05 left- they fouled a Virginia player shooting a 3 with 0:01 left.
— Virginia kid made two of three FT’s, Cardinals still lead by 2.
— Louisville has ball out-of-bounds with 0:00.9 left, up 2, but they can’t run baseline
— Louisville inbounder runs baseline- thats a turnover.
— Virginia banks in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the game. Oy.

12) Arizona State 84, California 53— Shooters get scholarship offers, and this is why; Cal was 0-18 on the arc in this game. Zero. for. 18. They were 19-78 in previous four games, so that is 19.8% over their last five games.

Kids who are prolific shooters get scholarships, because there aren’t that many of them.

11) Michigan 77, Nebraska 58— I have no sympathy for bubble teams that lose their first conference tournament game. Cornhuskers are 22-10 but will likely miss the NCAA’s- their non-conference schedule was ranked #272. Nebraska had Thursday off while Michigan played an OT game, but the Wolverines won this game easily.

10) Penn State 69, Ohio State 68— Buckeyes are 0-3 vs Penn State this year, 15-1 against the rest of their league. According to the Bracketology people on Twitter, Penn State still needs one more win to get into the field of 68.

9) St Peter’s 66, Rider 55— #9-seed Peacocks upset top-seeded Rider in beautiful downtown Albany. Broncs had won 15 of their last 17 games coming in. Such is March.

Quinnipiac 72, Canisius 69– Top two seeds in MAAC tourney are gone; whoever wins the conference title Monday night can pack their bags to Dayton for the play-in game.

8) Murray State 70, Jacksonville State 63— Racers were up 20 points, blew the lead, but then they scored last eight points of the game to advance to the OVC finals.

7) Football/baseball crossovers Friday:
— Tim Tebow batted cleanup for the Mets Friday; he went 1-3 as their DH.
— Russell Wilson pinch-hit for Aaron Judge and struck out in his only AB for the Bronx Bombers.

6) Baseball trivia: Last season, 99 switch-hitters appeared in major league games.

5) Bradley 63, Drake 61— Drake didn’t score for last 3:28 of this quarter-final game in the Missouri Valley Conference— they led by 8 at the half.

4) Davidson 63, Rhode Island 61— Rams started season 21-3, then went 2-3 in their last five games. Now they need to make a run in A-14 tourney to avoid being a suspect in NCAA’s.

Trivia: Davidson has players from seven different countries.

3) Tex-Arlington 85, Texas State 82— Arlington led 78-70, blew the lead, then Kevin Hervey drained a long 3-pointer with 0:00.9 left to hand Texas State their ninth loss in a row.

2) Princeton 78, Brown 63— With one night left in the season, there are three teams tied for the 4th and final spot in next week’s Ivy League tournament.

1— Liberty 69, NC-Asheville 64— Big upset in Big South, as top-seeded Asheville is shown the door. Liberty plays #2-seed Radford in the Big South final.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 3
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

NYM at MIA 01:05 PM
MIA -111

TB at DET 01:05 PM
TB -105

WAS at HOU 01:05 PM
WAS +130
U 8.5

NYY at BOS 01:05 PM
BOS -120
O 8.5

STL at ATL 01:05 PM
ATL -120

MIN at TOR 01:07 PM
TOR -141

CIN at CHC 03:05 PM
CIN +135

ARI at LAD 03:05 PM
ARI +145
O 9.5

SD at OAK 03:05 PM
SD +110

CHW at KC 03:05 PM
KC -125

MIL at COL 03:10 PM
COL -132

LAA at SEA 08:40 PM
LAA +110

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Pitcher Win Total Best Bets
February 28, 2018

If you’re one of those baseball nutjobs that’s completely enthralled by starting pitching, then I have the perfect betting board for you. BetOnline.ag has listed regular season win totals for starting pitchers in the MLB player futures section of the sportsbook. Let’s grease those stitches!

Most of these odds are split evenly, and are priced in the -110 and -115 range depending on the pitcher. You can bet on most of the big names, and I’m sure our busy bees in the odds making hive will be producing even more bets for this board. Severino, Greinke, Syndegaard, Kershaw and many more are already up and running so check out our MLB player futures to see the whole board.

These are some of my favorite plays on this awesome board, and I have to write about Shohei Ohtani because it would be sacrilegious not to.

Yu Darvish (Chicago Cubs) – UNDER 13.5 Wins
The Cubs sure spent a lot of money to land Darvish, who will replace Jake Arrieta as the go-to mound master for this club. The Cubs are an extremely competitive team. So why the low mark? Darvish has been chased off the mound a ton in recent years and hasn’t earned 13 wins since the summer of 2013. He only won 10 games split between the Rangers and Dodgers last season. I like Darvish, and staying in the National League is the smart move for him.

Darvish should perform strongly against the NL Central, which has some truly terrible teams at the bottom of the standings but I’m not completely sold that that he’s really a franchise pitcher. His team will win a lot of games that he starts, but he won’t earn the w’s for himself. I see a lot of early departures for Darvish this coming summer.

Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) – UNDER 10.5 Wins
Oh boy, here we go. Shohei Ohtani’s extremely long and agonizingly slow migration to the majors has finally come to fruition, and the whole baseball world is excited to see if this kid can deliver the goods. Since somehow winning the sweepstakes for the multi-talented prospect, the Angels have maintained that he’ll be used more so as a pitcher than a batter. That’s fine I guess, but there’s no way they can guarantee that this will always be the case.

Ohtani could be great, but he could also be historically average. There’s no way to tell. This guy hasn’t hurled the stitches at major league hitters until this spring, and there’s no possible way that we can safely say that the Angels won’t switch gears and designate Ohtani as a hitter halfway through the season.

Let’s be clear: Ohtani is a very interesting player. But right now that’s all he is. Yu Darvish made his way to the league in 2012 and notched 16 wins, but this is a much different circumstance. Ohtani is pitching against a devilishly good division. So while the fun bet is to take the OVER, it simply relies on too many variable for my liking.

Corey Kluber (Cleveland Indians) – OVER 16.5 Wins
This one seems the most straightforward on the entire board. Kluber is the reigning American League Cy Young winner, and notched 18 wins during an undeniably great season. The Indians hit a stroke of bad luck in the playoffs with the Encarnacion injury, but all engines will be go for when Cleveland takes to the field in the spring. Kluber will be center stage for another, brilliant run.

Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco Giants) – OVER 15.5 Wins
This is a play-it-safe type of bet. Bumgarner is a god. We all know that. But the San Francisco Giants left a lot to be desired. Then the club literally swung the for the fences in acquiring Andrew McCutchen, who’s the exact type of multi-use sparkplug that this lineup needed. There are some really tough calls at the bottom of the order, but McCutchen-Posey-Pence-Belt-Longario and Panik as the opening six should give Bumgarner the chance to make up for what was essentially his worst season.

Bumgarner has posted records of 18, 18 and 15 wins from 2015-17 so this mark is right where it should be. When he is on, and his team is winning, there’s no stopping him. How you attack this MLB player prop depends greatly on how you feel about the Giants, and I’m optimistic about their 2018 projections. Remember that this is more so a bet on Bumgarner than the Giants anyways.

Justin Verlander (Houston Astros) – OVER 15.5 Wins
Nothing against Verlander at all. I love him and I’m so happy that he finally earned the storybook season his talent so very much deserved. There’s no doubting that Verlander can absolutely decimate the National League through a full season. He went 5-0 SU in his five starts to end the season. A lot of people will talk about how Verlander is on the wrong side of his peak, but I’m willing to bet against that grain. This guy is just too good to fall off a cliff like that.

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Cubs' Schwarber noticing difference
March 3, 2018

MESA, Ariz. (AP) Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon noticed right away. The Cubs were working on a baserunning drill at spring training when Maddon saw an unfamiliar figure.

It was Kyle Schwarber.

''When I watch him in the drills, like first to third, that looks different,'' Maddon said. ''Honestly, the first time he did it over here I was looking, I didn't know who it was. I looked up really quickly, I'm thinking `Who is that? Oh, it's Schwarbs,' because appearance-wise, it's entirely different.''

No kidding.

Stung by a disappointing season, Schwarber stepped up his workouts over the winter, embraced a new diet and lost about 20 pounds. The catcher-turned-outfielder looks faster and more agile this spring, a positive sign as he tries to return to form after struggling for much of last year.

''My goal is be a great teammate and take it one day at a time,'' Schwarber said before Saturday's exhibition game against Cincinnati. ''I'm not looking forward to October or the first day of the season ... I'm looking just forward to today right now.''

Schwarber, who turns 25 on Monday, began last season with sky-high expectations. He missed most of 2016 after he tore two knee ligaments in an outfield collision, but he returned for the World Series and helped the Cubs win the championship for the first time since 1908.

He managed to stay healthy last year. But the season was pretty much a disaster.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 draft hit just .211 with 30 homers, 59 RBIs and 150 strikeouts in 129 games. He struggled during an extended stay at the leadoff spot and even spent some time in the minors while he tried to find his swing.

''Just trying to do too much,'' Schwarber said, ''because when you're in that slump, you're just wanting to get out of it so bad because you want to win, you want to help the team win and sometimes you just put too much pressure on yourself.

''You just got to take a step away from that and be able to just take that breath, whatever it is, relax and go back in.''

Schwarber got right back to work shortly after the Cubs were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. By the time this season rolled around, he was ready.

He had two hits and swiped two bases in Chicago's second game after he had one steal all of last season. He made his sixth spring appearance in the Cubs' 7-4 victory over the Reds and went 1 for 2 with a single back up the middle in the third.

While Schwarber said he simply feels better after his winter workout regimen, he has no illusions about what it means for the upcoming season.

''It's not going to go out there and help me hit .300 with 50 bombs,'' he said. ''I've got to go out there and perform. But it's little things that you can control.''

But Schwarber's increased quickness and agility almost assuredly will make a difference defensively, an occasional issue since he started playing the outfield after coming up as a catcher. He committed five errors as a left fielder last season, tied for third-most in the National League.

''It just makes sense, I would think,'' Maddon said. ''With better technique, with continued work on his technique, which he does, tirelessly, and a better frame to work from, I am curious to watch this whole thing. I think he's going to play really well out there.''

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Bryce Harper returns to Nats' lineup
March 3, 2018

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Bryce Harper returned to Washington's lineup following surgery to remove an ingrown toenail, striking out twice and walking in the Nationals' 8-1 exhibition victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

Stephen Strasburg pitched two innings in his first spring start for the Nationals. Coming off back-to-back 15-win seasons, Strasburg gave up a run on three hits and struck out two.

Houston starter Justin Verlander pitched three shutout innings and allowed two hits, while striking out five. Verlander has struck out nine in five shutout innings to begin Grapefruit League play.

RAYS 7, TIGERS 4

Tampa Bay ace Chris Archer didn't make it out of the second inning in his second start. Archer set down just four batters and allowed two runs on two hits and two walks. C.J. Cron doubled in a run and scored for the Rays. Victor Martinez and Nicholas Castellanos both hit two-run home runs for Detroit. The Tigers announced ace Michel Fulmer will miss Sunday's start against the Nationals with soreness in his right elbow. According to Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, Fulmer's issue is unrelated to the offseason surgery he had to move the ulnar nerve to a different part of his elbow to alleviate numbness that bothered him last season.

YANKEES 5, RED SOX 3

Xander Bogaerts had two hits, including a double, and scored a run for Boston. Jackie Bradley Jr. swiped his first base for the Red Sox. New York's top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield pitched two innings and gave up a run on two hits and two walks. Aaron Hicks had a solo home run for the Yankees, while top prospect Miguel Andujar capped New York's three-run rally in the eighth with a two-out RBI single.

BLUE JAYS 13, TWINS 8

Kevin Pillar and Yangervis Solarte homered for the first time and Russell Martin added a three-run shot for Toronto. Pillar and Solarte both went deep off Minnesota starter Phil Hughes, who pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in his second start. Aaron Sanchez pitched three shutout innings and allowed one hit while striking out two in his second start for the Blue Jays.

ORIOLES 4, PHILLIES (SS) 2

Baltimore ace Kevin Gausman put a rough first start behind and pitched three perfect innings while striking out five. The right-hander retired just four batters and allowed four runs in his first outing. Gausman and the bullpen held a Philadelphia split squad hitless until Ryan Flaherty's one-out single in the eighth.

PIRATES 4, PHILLIES (SS) 3

Pittsburgh ace Ivan Nova made his second start and pitched three innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two. Jose Osuna hit his first home run in his only at-bat, a pinch-hit two-run shot in the seventh as the Pirates scored three times to win for just the second time this spring. Brandon Leibrandt, the son of former major league pitcher Charlie Leibrandt, retired just two batters and gave up three runs on four hits in his first appearance for Philadelphia.

MARLINS 1, METS 0

Noah Syndergaard pitched three innings in his second start for New York. He allowed one run on a hit and a walk and struck out four. His fastball once again topped 100 mph. Mets closer Jeurys Familia allowed one hit in a scoreless fifth inning. Wilmer Flores had two hits and Juan Lagares picked up his first hit in his second straight start in center field for the Mets. Miami starter Jose Urena pitched two shutout innings. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two. Justin Bour drove in the Marlins' run.

BRAVES 9, CARDINALS 2

Nick Markakis had two hits for Atlanta, giving him five in his first seven at-bats, and Freddie Freeman added two doubles. Braves ace Julio Tehran pitched three scoreless innings, striking out three. Miles Mikolas, in the running for the back of the St. Louis starting rotation, didn't fare well in his first start. The right-hander pitched three innings and allowed four runs on six hits.

GIANTS (SS) 9, RANGERS 4

Johnny Cueto pitched two innings in his first start for San Francisco, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. Joe Panik led off the game with his first home run for the Giants. San Francisco's split squad roughed up Texas ace Cole Hamels in his first start. Hamels pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up four runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out two. The Rangers' Shin-Soo Choo hit his first home run to account for both runs off Cueto. Delino DeShields, Jurickson Profar and Choo all had two hits for Texas.

WHITE SOX 9, ROYALS 5

Chicago's top pitching prospect Michael Kopech made his second start and pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing only an unearned run. Kopech gave up two hits and a walk, while striking out three. Kansas City's No. 2 starter Ian Kennedy pitched two innings in his second start and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out five. Matt Davidson had two hits and two RBIs for the White Sox. Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez both drove in runs for the Royals.

CUBS 7, REDS 4

Starting rotation hopeful Tyler Chatwood pitched two innings and allowed only a walk in his second outing for Chicago. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber all had hits for the Cubs. Luis Castillo pitched 2 2/3 innings in his second start for Cincinnati. Castillo gave up a run on five hits, while striking out four. Reds' slugger Joey Votto walked in three at-bats and remains hitless this spring.

PADRES 10, ATHLETICS 4

Hunter Renfroe homered for the second time and added an RBI single for San Diego, while top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. walked twice and stole his first two bases. The Padres boast the top farm system according to MLB rankings. Stephen Piscotty hit his first spring homer for Oakland, a two-run shot. Kendall Graveman, the Athletics' No. 1 starter, struggled again. Graveman got just four outs and gave up four runs on four hits and two walks. His ERA rose to 13.50 after two starts.

GIANTS (SS) 13, INDIANS 4

Austin Jackson had two hits, including a double, drove in a run and scored twice leading off for San Francisco. Mac Williamson had three hits, including his third home run, and drove in three runs for the Giants' split squad. Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin pitched two innings in his second start. He allowed five runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four. Edwin Encarnacion homered for the first time for the Indians - a two-run shot.

DODGER5 14, DIAMONDBACKS 6

Justin Turner doubled and scored on a Matt Kemp home run as Los Angeles roughed up Arizona starter Robbie Ray in his second start. Ray got just two outs, while giving up five runs on four hits and two walks. Dodgers starter Alex Wood pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk. Yasmany Tomas had three hits and an RBI for the Diamondbacks.

BREWERS 6, ROCKIES 5

Trevor Story and Ryan McMahon both homered for the first time for Colorado. Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, who is vying for a spot in the back of the rotation, pitched three innings and allowed three runs on five hits and a walk. Milwaukee slugger Eric Thames had a double and his first spring home run, while Brewers ace Zach Davies pitched two innings in his second start. Davies allowed a run on two hits and a walk. Chase Anderson, who slots in at No. 3 in Milwaukee's rotation, followed Davies and pitched three innings. He gave up a run on four hits and a walk.

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday’s 6-pack

Baseball betting: over/unders on pitcher’s win this year:

Stephen Strasbug, 15.5

Zach Greinke, 14.5

Yu Darvish, 13.5

Sonny Gray, 13.5

Noah Syndergaard, 13.5

Shohei Ohtani, 10.5

Quote of the Day
“We’ve definitely been turned off from (drafting) a guy if a number of his teammates don’t like him.”
Kyle Shanahan

Sunday’s quiz
Which Division I college basketball is known as the Gauchos?

Saturday’s quiz
Matt Doherty was basketball coach at North Carolina before Roy Williams.

Friday’s quiz
NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans have traded their first round draft pick four of the last five years; the one player they did draft, they later traded to Sacramento— Buddy Hield.

[StarDust Bum]

March MLB Record: ( Opinions Only )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/03/2018 7-8-0 46.67% -7.85
03/02/2018 13-5-0 72.22% +40.50
03/01/2018 9-8-2 52.94% -1.45

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, MARCH 4
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PIT at MIN 01:05 PM
MIN -147
U 8.5

TOR at PHI 01:05 PM
TOR -111
O 8.5

HOU at STL 01:05 PM
HOU -125
O 8.5

BOS at BAL 01:05 PM
O 8.5

TB at NYY 01:05 PM
TB +150
U 8.5

MIA at ATL 01:05 PM
ATL -125

CLE at MIL 03:05 PM
CLE -111

LAD at SF 03:05 PM
SF -120
O 9.5

KC at CIN 03:05 PM
CIN -120

SEA at TEX 03:05 PM
TEX -125

CHC at ARI 03:10 PM
CHC -105

COL at LAA 03:10 PM
LAA -125

[StarDust Bum]

Not so sunny for Stanton in left field, Kipnis homers again
March 4, 2018

Giancarlo Stanton got off to a sunny start at a new position for the New York Yankees.

Making his first start in left field for his new team, the NL MVP lost two flyballs in the sun and both fell for hits Sunday in a 9-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Stanton never played left field in his eight seasons with the Marlins, instead spending his time in right.

Asked how someone should work on catching balls in the glare, the smiling slugger said: ''Get sun vision gloves, see right through the sun.''

AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES:

ORIOLES 10, RED SOX 8

Adam Jones hit a pair of RBI doubles and a single and Manny Machado added a two-run double for Baltimore. Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers hit back-to-back homers for Boston off Gabriel Ynoa, who allowed six runs in two innings.

The Orioles announced first baseman Chris Davis had an MRI on his sore right elbow and no structural damage was found. Manager Buck Showalter estimated Davis would be out another three to five days. Showalter also noted top prospect Austin Hays should be ready to play next week after missing time with a sore right shoulder.

NATIONALS (SS) 7, METS 3

Trea Turner got two hits and scored for a Washington split squad. Steven Matz was again tagged in his second start for New York, giving up five hits and two walks while retiring just two batters. Matz, returning from surgery on his left elbow that cut last season short, has allowed up 10 runs in 1 2/3 innings this spring. Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier both hit their first spring home runs for New York.

The Mets announced that expected opening day starter Jacob deGrom threw a 40-pitch bullpen session and felt no ill effects from the back stiffness that sidelined him for several days.

PIRATES 9, TWINS 3

Josh Harrison had two hits after an 0-for-9 start for Pittsburgh. Jameson Taillon made his second start for the Pirates and pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk.

Minnesota ace Jose Berrios allowed three hits while striking out two in 2 1/3 innings. Joe Mauer drove in two runs.

RAYS 9, YANKEES 1

Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge got his first hit of the spring, a first-inning single against Tampa Bay starter Nathan Eovaldi, who pitched two shutout innings.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance and retired one of the three batters he faced. Mallex Smith had three hits, including a single off Chapman.

PHILLIES 4, BLUE JAYS 2

Toronto ace Marco Estrada made his second start and pitched three shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out three. Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna fanned one in a perfect fifth in his first appearance.

Philadelphia starter Jerad Eickhoff gave up two hits in 2 2/3 shutout innings. Phillies prospect Scott Kingery got two hits and is batting .389 in exhibition play.

ASTROS 4, CARDINALS 1

AL MVP Jose Altuve hit his first home run - a solo shot off St. Louis starter Michael Wacha - and Carlos Correa had two hits for Houston. Wacha pitched three innings and allowed two runs on five hits.

NATIONALS (SS) 6, TIGERS 2

Bryce Harper hit his first spring homer, singled and drove in three runs for a Washington split squad. Matt Adams added three hits. Gio Gonzalez gave up two runs and six hits in three innings.

Jeimer Candelario tripled in a run for Detroit.

BRAVES 5, MARLINS 2

Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz gave up one hit in three scoreless innings. Freddie Freeman had two hits for the Braves.

Dan Straily allowed one hit in three shutout innings for Atlanta.

INDIANS 6, BREWERS 2

Jason Kipnis hit his fifth home run for Cleveland. He leads all big leaguers in homers and RBIs (10) this spring. Kipnis hit 12 homers in an injury-interrupted season after hitting 23 the year before.

Indians ace Corey Kluber pitched three innings and allowed one run and four hits while striking out five. Milwaukee starter Jhoulys Chacin pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up one earned run. Brewers newcomers Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain each had two hits.

DODGERS 9, GIANTS 3

Yasiel Puig had two hits, Yasmani Grandal homered and Chase Utley ended a 0-for-10 start with an RBI double for Los Angeles. Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda struck out three in 2 1/3 innings.

San Francisco starter Jeff Samardzija gave up three hits and three walks in two innings. Giants prospect Steven Duggar homered for the third time this spring and is batting .412.

PADRES (SS) 7, WHITE SOX 6

Top San Diego prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. had four hits and five RBIs. He also stole his third base this spring.

Chicago starter Carson Fulmer, hoping to earn a back-of-the-rotation spot, lasted just one inning in his second start. He gave up four runs on four hits and four walks. Welington Castillo and Adam Engel homered for the White Sox.

MARINERS 10, RANGERS 7

Seattle starter James Paxton struggled, giving up seven runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Robinson Chirinos homered to lead off the second for Texas and Ryan Rua capped the six-run inning with a three-run drive.

Doug Fister debuted on the mound for the Rangers and pitched three shutout innings, allowing two hits and a walk.

ATHLETICS 12, PADRES (SS) 4

San Diego newcomer Eric Hosmer hit his first home run. Shortstop Franklin Barreto, Oakland's top prospect, connected off Clayton Richard for his second homer. The A's designated power-hitting Brandon Moss for assignment.

DIAMONDBACKS 2, CUBS 0

Taijuan Walker pitched three perfect innings, striking out four, in his second start for Arizona. Jon Lester pitched 2 2/3 innings in his second start for Chicago and gave up a home run to Nick Ahmed.

ROYALS 10, REDS 3

Jason Hammel made his first start for Kansas City, striking out two in two perfect innings. Jorge Bonifacio had two hits and drove in two runs.

Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani gave up five hits in the first inning. Adam Duvall homered for Cincinnati.

ANGELS 7, ROCKIES 6

Mike Trout and Albert Pujols both went 0 for 3 and are still looking for their first hit this spring. Justin Upton homered and drove in three runs for Los Angeles. Matt Shoemaker allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings.

Nolan Arenado had a hit and stole a base for Colorado.

[StarDust Bum]

Blue Jays manager doesn't expect Tulowitzki OK for opener
March 4, 2018

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons says he isn't counting on having shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the lineup for opening day.

Tulowitzki has been slowed by a bone spur in his right heel and hasn't played in any spring training games. The five-time All-Star didn't play after July 28 last year after injuring his right ankle.

''I don't expect he'll be ready,'' Gibbons said Sunday. ''But he's moving in the right direction, so who knows?''

The Blue Jays open on March 29 at home against the New York Yankees. If Tulowitzki can't play, Aledmys Diaz and Yangervis Solarte are potential replacements.

The 33-year-old Tulowitzki batted .249 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 66 games last season. Sidelined by injuries, he hasn't played more than 131 games in any of the last six seasons.

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Stats don't tell story of Cards starters
March 4, 2018

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) Early inconsistent outings from St. Louis starting pitchers don't have manager Mike Matheny pushing the panic button.

The statistics, he says, don't tell the whole story.

''Obviously guys are trying to get ready for the season,'' Matheny said. ''You want to see them compete. You want to see some glimpses of things that they have been working on over the winter or are currently working on.''

Take Michael Wacha's outing on Sunday, which wasn't a statistical work of art, but wasn't as bad as the final line might indicate, either.

The 26-year old righty allowed two runs and five hits in three innings against Houston.

With runners on first and second and one out in the second, Evan Gattis hit a comebacker that caught Wacha in the right shin and bounded away for an infield hit. What could have been an inning-ending double play instead prolonged an inning, leading to the Astros' first run.

''I felt good,'' Wacha said. ''Just missed a few spots where I let them put it in play.''

One out away from his ending his day, Wacha tried to sneak a 2-2 fastball past Jose Altuve. The American League MVP lofted a deep fly ball to right field that would have been the third out of the inning on most days, but on Sunday it rode a brisk win over the right field wall for Altuve's first homer of the spring.

''The scoreboard really didn't translate,'' Matheny said. ''A lot of ground balls that kind of found their way through. Pop up that made its way out.''

Wacha's outing came on the heels of the second consecutive poor outing from free agent signee Miles Mikolas, who has now allowed 10 earned runs over 4 2/3 innings in his first two starts with the Cardinals.

In search of a fifth starter, St. Louis signed Mikolas to two-year, $15.5 million contract, opting to sign a player who spent the previous three seasons in Japan over the likes of bigger name, higher price tag free agents like Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish, or even re-signing Lance Lynn.

''I thought yesterday was better,'' Matheny said of Mikolas' outing on Saturday. ''We saw less mistakes at the middle of the plate, middle of the zone and height. He was better at the top. I thought the breaking ball looked sharper. Featured some good curve balls.''

In his first spring appearance, expected opening day starter Carlos Martinez allowed one run and walked three in 1 1/3 innings. He then skipped Friday's scheduled start for what was termed personal reasons. Martinez is expected to take is next turn this week.

Veteran Adam Wainwright also battled through an inconsistent start in his first outing. He didn't surrender a run, but walked three and allowed two hits.

Looking to break camp with the major league club for the first time in his young career, Luke Weaver won't make his second outing of the spring until Monday against Washington. Weaver allowed allowed one earned run in two innings of work his first time out.

''It's not wise for us around here to make any kind of wholesale conclusions of what we've seen so far,'' Matheny said. ''We've seen some really good things and we've seen some things that we want to improve on.''

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

A's designate Brandon Moss for assignment
March 4, 2018

MESA, Ariz. (AP) The Oakland Athletics designated Brandon Moss for assignment Sunday and claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.

Oakland had acquired Moss from Kansas City in January for a second stint with the club after playing for the A's from 2012-14, but it wound up being a short return.

Moss played in 118 games for the Royals last season.

Labourt had been claimed off waivers by the Reds on Friday from Detroit. He made six relief appearances for the Tigers last season, going 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in six innings.

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

Eovaldi looking good in comeback
March 4, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nate Eovaldi allowed two hits and struck out two over two scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his second outing since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery.

Eovaldi, who was with the Yankees when he was hurt two years ago, threw 21 of 28 pitches for strikes Sunday in the Rays' 9-1 win.

''I'm very pleased with where I'm at,'' Eovaldi said. ''Right now it's just continue to build the innings and be ready for the season.''

Eovaldi is looking to become the 32nd player to pitch in the big leagues during the regular season after two Tommy John surgeries and the 12th to start a game. He most recently had the surgery in August 2016.

''I feel good, I feel strong,'' Eovaldi said. ''I just want to go out there and compete.''

After allowing a one-out single in the first to Aaron Judge, Eovaldi got a grounder from Giancarlo Stanton and struck out Gary Sanchez.

''Control felt good,'' said Eovaldi, known for a good fastball. ''I gave up a couple hits but I was able to work out of it and that was the main thing.''

Eovaldi went 23-11 over two seasons with the Yankees, including a 14-3 record in 2015. He spent last year rehabbing the elbow injury before appearing in two minor league playoff games.

Eovaldi went 1 1/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts in an appearance Feb. 27 against Baltimore.

[StarDust Bum]

Yanks' Stanton loses 2 flyballs in sun
March 4, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) This wasn't the kind of sun-day Giancarlo Stanton hoped for.

Making his first start in left field for the New York Yankees, the slugger lost two flyballs in the sun and both fell for hits Sunday in a 9-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

''They were in the sun but doesn't matter, it's still part of the game,'' Stanton said.

Stanton never played left field in his eight seasons with the Marlins. The reigning NL MVP always started in right, the spot where Yankees star Aaron Judge plays. With Brett Gardner getting a day off, Stanton took over in left.

In the second inning, Stanton was moving toward the warning track when Jake Bauers' drive went off his glove for a double.

Asked how someone should work on catching balls in the sun, a smiling Stanton said: ''Get sun vision gloves, see right through the sun.''

Stanton went 0 for 3 at the plate.

''I felt worse in the box my first ABs than I did my first time in left,'' he said. ''It's a process.''

Stanton, acquired in December from Miami, and Judge both will get time at designated hitter as the Yankees look for ways to keep all their big bats in the lineup.

''You know what, I honestly look at it as kind of a positive,'' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. ''Picked about as tough a day to play the outfield as you could have in Florida. There's a lot of balls falling out there. It was just one of those sun days.''

''We thought it's a good first step,'' he said. ''Frankly, I saw nothing that keeps me from feeling good about him out there going forward.''

Stanton will play left again in Tuesday's game against Detroit.

Judge, coming back from offseason left shoulder surgery, made his second start in right field. He has been working out in left and could get some playing time there before spring training ends.

Also, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman struggled with his control during his first outing, throwing 10 of 18 pitches for strikes. The left-hander hit a batter, allowed a single and got a grounder in the third before departing due to pitch count.

Chapman, through a translator, said he feels fine physically.

NOTES: OF Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique) still has soreness and is undergoing treatment. ... OF Clint Frazier (concussion) rode a stationary bike but didn't hit.


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

DeGrom may not get Mets' opening day nod
March 4, 2018

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) With at least five necessary hurdles ahead of him, Jacob deGrom is running out of time to be the New York Mets' starting pitcher on opening day.

The right-hander tossed a 40-pitch bullpen alongside Rafael Montero, A.J. Griffin and Zack Wheeler on Sunday before the Mets' home game against Washington. He did not, as way anticipated, face any hitters.

DeGrom said two days ago he would be facing batters on Sunday, but somewhere along the line that plan changed. Instead, rehabbing Michael Conforto stepped into the batter's box and tracked pitches without swinging in the bullpen outside the stadium.

''I honestly did not know what I was doing today. I thought I would probably face batters, but the plan was, I guess, to throw a bullpen. I think the plan is not to anything dumb and make sure everything's right,'' deGrom said.

''I'm looking to feel good, and that's been the case so far,'' said deGrom, who flashed an impressive fastball and didn't hold anything back as he faced Conforto.

DeGrom was the team's most consistent and reliable pitcher last year. He went 15-10 with a 3.53 ERA in 31 starts on a club that went 70-92 in Terry Collins' last season as manager.

The 29-year-old deGrom has been sidelined with lower back stiffness and missed time in camp due to the birth of his daughter. That's hampered his drive toward getting the nod for the Mets' first game, at home against St. Louis on March 29, an appearance new pitching coach Dave Eiland said deGrom deserves.

''Absolutely, he's earned it. Whether he pitches opening day or not, he's earned it, but we've got to be smart about this,'' Eiland said.

Eiland said deGrom has ''hurdles'' to go through and that there's no good reason to rush him.

He added there are no exceptions on the staff and deGrom will have to face hitters five different times in March before the club opens the season at Citi Field.

''With Jacob deGrom we will not make an exception. That's stupid,'' Eiland said. ''We're not going to be careless just so he can pitch opening day. If it falls where he can, he will because he earned it. He deserves that start.

''But we're not going to push the envelope and be careless and he starts opening day and doesn't start again until June. That would be pretty ignorant on our part,'' he said.

The plan is for deGrom to get back into a game on Tuesday, but that could be a simulated game facing batters on a back field.

He'll then need to build up to a higher pitch-count over subsequent spring training starts.

''We've got to see where it leads. If he can't get out there and get built up to 80, 90 pitches, then it's not going to happen. But is there still time for him to do that? Yes,'' Eiland said.

''Every day's a hurdle. Today we crossed a big hurdle.''

Conforto appreciated the chance to see ''electric stuff'' as he recovers from shoulder surgery to repair a torn posterior capsule in his left shoulder.

''It looks effortless, and at the same time it has late life to it. His breaking stuff is pretty sharp. Sometimes you can see the hump in the breaking ball, but from Jake today there was no hump,'' he said.

''I don't get to see deGrom on a daily basis, so whenever he's throwing a side I try to get out there.''

NOTES: LHP Steven Matz struggled again in his second start, giving up five runs on five singles and two walks while getting only two outs vs. Washington. He threw 34 pitches. ''My ball was just up really, and I was missing my spot by a few inches. It's frustrating because I feel healthy,'' said Matz, who has 10 earned runs this spring. ... SS Amed Rosario, who left Saturday's game with knee irritation, checked out fine. Manager Mickey Callaway said he should be back in the lineup Tuesday against Houston. . RHP Corey Taylor relieved Matz and recorded an out without a pitch by picking off Rafael Bautista to end the top of the first. . RF Jay Bruce hit his first homer, a shot to right field off RHP Edwin Jackson in the first. ''I'm not necessarily concerned with home runs in spring training. I'm never really concerned with home runs at all, to be honest with you. They just kind of happen,'' Bruce said. . DH Tim Tebow went 0 for 3 and struck out twice.


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

Indians' Brantley progressing in recovery
March 4, 2018

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley knows all about the grind of recovering from a major injury. Way too much about the slow process back to the field.

At least this time around, he gets to put that experience to good use.

The 30-year-old Brantley has progressed to lateral agility drills as he works his way back from right ankle surgery in October with an eye toward playing as much as possible this season. If that means he isn't ready for Cleveland's opener at Seattle, so be it.

''I think I'm getting older and I think I'm starting to understand it more, that I need to make sure that I'm 100 percent healthy when I come back,'' Brantley said Sunday. ''It takes time. It's not going to happen overnight, but put in the hard work that you need to get done and everything comes out good in the end.''

Brantley hasn't always had that big-picture approach as he worked his way back from an injury. Manager Terry Francona has noticed a difference this spring.

''Because he's been through so much, I think we haven't had to put the reins around him as much as maybe in the past,'' Francona said. ''I think he's trying to look at this thing logically also. But if hard work means anything, which it does, he's going to be just fine.''

If Brantley can stay on the field, he could provide a huge boost for Cleveland as it tries to recover from last year's disappointing loss to the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. Before his recent run of injury woes, Brantley was one of the majors' best all-around players, capable of making a key play at the plate, on the bases or in the field.

He had a breakout season in 2014, batting .327 with 20 homers, 97 RBIs and 23 steals in 156 games. He was working on another good year in 2015 when he hurt his right shoulder diving for a ball in Minnesota.

The two-time All-Star needed two surgeries to fix his shoulder and played in just 11 games in 2016, missing Cleveland's run to the World Series. He appeared to be back on track last year before he injured his ankle while chasing a fly ball to left during a game on Aug. 8.

Brantley made a surprising return late last season and was selected for the playoff roster against New York, but went just 1 for 11 in the five-game series. Despite the string of injuries, Cleveland decided to pick up his $11.5 million option for 2018.

''Whether it's second week of April, whenever, we're going to be really happy to have him back,'' Francona said, ''because that's a position then that you don't have to platoon, you just kind of wind him up and let him go play.''

Brantley said everything has gone smoothly so far this spring. There is no public timetable for his first appearance in the Cactus League, and he said he has no number in mind in terms of how many exhibition games he needs to be ready for opening day.

''It's more how I personally feel and respond every day,'' he said. ''I just want to get out there and get the reps when I'm needed and if I'm ready to go, I'm ready to go. If I'm not, I'll be there when I'm 100 percent healthy and get back to helping this team win.''

Brantley spent part of his Sunday morning peering over the shoulder of Mike Napoli while he played cribbage with pitchers Josh Tomlin and Adam Plutko. There was a hearty round of laughs as the game broke up and the players headed off to their rest of their day.

Brantley, who was acquired by Cleveland in the CC Sabathia deal with Milwaukee in 2008, also is drawing strength from his teammates as he looks to rejoin them on the field when he can.

''They help me. They keep me positive and keep me going,'' he said. ''I can't thank them enough for what they do for me. Just picking me up every day if you're not healthy and telling how much they miss you and then at the same time, I'm doing anything I can to help them. It's a team effort all the way around.''


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Bo Jackson returns to work with Royals
March 4, 2018

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Bo Jackson slipped into a Kansas City Royals uniform Sunday for the first time since 1990.

A little bigger, but still a comfortable fit with his old team.

''I just had to go up a size, that's about it,'' he said.

Jackson chatted with former teammate and Royals Hall of Famer George Brett and discussed bow hunting with manager Ned Yost. At 55, the two-sport star is a guest coach for the Royals in spring training.

His duties?

''Anything I want to do,'' Jackson said, laughing. ''I've been told I have diplomatic immunity.''

''It's fun being back here because this is where it all started for me,'' he said.

The Royals drafted Jackson in the fourth round in 1986, but few thought they had a chance to sign the Heisman Trophy-winning running back from Auburn. He chose the Royals over the Tampa Bay Bucs, who picked him first overall in the 1986 NFL draft.

A year later, the Los Angeles Raiders took Jackson in the seventh round and he signed.

Jackson last played baseball on Aug. 10, 1994, with the Angels. He got two hits and stole a base against the Royals in that final game - the same week, MLB players went on strike and the season was lost.

Jackson's career was shortened after he was injured in January 1991 in a playoff game for the Raiders. The setback required hip replacement surgery.

''Most of these players probably weren't even born when I played or they were babies,'' Jackson said.

But they likely know the aura of Bo Knows, his popular ad campaign.

''I hope so,'' he said.

Jackson plans on mingling with minor league players.

''Giving what advice I can, tricks of the trade on how to get from over there to over here,'' he said.

Jackson said the game has changed drastically since he retired.

''Players aren't the same. The game is not the same. The players are bigger, stronger, faster. The players look like they should be playing for the Chiefs, instead of the Royals.''

''Not only that, the technical side of the game has changed a lot. Everything is done on computers now. Computers were in their infancy when we were playing. Everything is analyzed now from the computer,'' he said.

Jackson was an eye-popping combination of speed and strength. He showed off those talents in the 1989 All-Star Game, when he led off the bottom of the first inning with a 450-foot home run and later stole a base in becoming the MVP.

''I would love to say, if I could go back 25 years from now to get out here to compete with these guys I would wear'' them out, Jackson said. ''I'm sure if you ask any player that played 25 years ago, they'd probably say the same thing. That's just us old folk talking and reminiscing about our younger days.''

In 1990, Jackson homered in four straight at-bats. He hit three on July 17 at Yankee Stadium, but dislocated his left shoulder diving in the outfield for a line drive by Deion Sanders and didn't come up again.

Jackson returned on Aug. 26 and homered in his first at-bat.

''I did it over a six-week period, but I got it,'' he said.

Jackson had shoulder replacement surgery last year, the delayed result from diving for Sanders' hit.

''That finally caught up with me,'' Jackson said. ''I kind of felt something bugging me about 2 1/2 years ago. Within 2 1/2 years, it went from just a little bug to I couldn't lift my arm to put on deodorant.''

[StarDust Bum]

March MLB Record: ( Opinions Only )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/04/2018 7-10-0 41.18% -20.90
03/03/2018 7-8-0 46.67% -7.85
03/02/2018 13-5-0 72.22% +40.50
03/01/2018 9-8-2 52.94% -1.45


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Monday’s 6-pack

— Last five years, five different teams have won the World Series.

— Guy that played Mr Chow in the Hangover movies was at the Duke-UNC game Saturday, wearing a Duke sweatshirt.

— Michigan 75, Purdue 66— Wolverines win Big 14 tourney for second year in a row.

— Tampa Bay Rays signed Carlos Gomez for $4M to play right field this year.

— For the record, Phil Mickelson’s last PGA win was 97 starts ago.

— Tickets to sit on the hill behind the OF fence at Braves-Cardinals spring training game Saturday were $25. Wow. $25 to sit on a grassy hill and watch an exhibition game.

Quote of the Day
“It’s important … we pick the right guy. If we don’t, I probably will get fired.”
Vikings’ coach Mike Zimmer, talking about his QB situation

Monday’s quiz
Where is Vanderbilt University located?

Sunday’s quiz
Cal-Santa Barbara’s teams are known as the Gauchos.

Saturday’s quiz
Matt Doherty was basketball coach at North Carolina before Roy Williams