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

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, MARCH 5
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at PHI 01:05 PM
O 8.5

PIT at ATL 01:05 PM
PIT +105

WAS at STL 01:05 PM
WAS +110
O 8.5

MIA at HOU 01:05 PM
U 8.5

DET at NYM 01:10 PM
DET +120
U 8.5

CLE at LAD 03:05 PM
CLE +115

SF at TEX 03:05 PM
SF +115

LAA at CIN 03:05 PM
O 9.5

CHW at OAK 03:05 PM
OAK -120

CHC at COL 03:10 PM
CHC -111

ARI at SD 08:40 PM
SD -116

[StarDust Bum]

Gamel out, Mariners thin in outfield, Ichiro could return
March 5, 2018

The Seattle Mariners are running out of healthy outfielders. To the rescue - Ichiro?

Ben Gamel will miss opening day, the Mariners said Monday, because of a strained oblique muscle that's expected to sideline him four to six weeks.

That could open a spot for Ichiro Suzuki, and a deal with the Mariners might be close.

Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year for Seattle in 2001 and remained a fan favorite until he was traded away in 2012. The 44-year-old Suzuki spent the past three seasons in Miami, batting .255 last year and starting 23 times in the outfield.

Gamel hit .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last year during his first full season in the majors.

The Mariners were hopeful Gamel would miss only a few days, but an MRI showed a more extensive problem. He first felt the injury after batting practice late last week.

Gamel joined a growing list of banged-up Mariners. Seattle has already seen first baseman Ryon Healy (hand), outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) and pitcher Felix Hernandez (bruised forearm) slowed by injuries during spring training.

Outfielder Guillermo Heredia is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, leaving Seattle thin at the position.

ASTROS 5, MARLINS 3

Houston ace Dallas Keuchel was pulled in the second inning after giving up four hits. Lance McCullers worked 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing a hit and walking two. Miami starter Dillon Peters gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings.

PHILLIES 4, TWINS 3

Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson worked three innings and gave up two hits, including a home run by Rhys Hoskins. Mark Leiter Jr. threw three clean innings in relief for Philadelphia, striking out a pair.

BRAVES 7, PIRATES 5

Atlanta starter Brandon McCarthy went 3 2/3 innings and the lone run he permitted came on a homer by Starling Marte. Danny Santana homered and had four hits for Atlanta. Chad Kuhl had a shaky start for Pittsburgh, giving up five hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.

CARDINALS 2, NATIONALS 1

Tanner Roark pitched four shutout innings for Washington, allowing one hit. Joaquin Benoit followed and had a rough outing, giving up two doubles and a single in one inning. Andrew Stevenson, a second-round pick by the Nationals in 2015 out of LSU, homered off starter Luke Weaver, who permitted three hits over three innings and struck out four.

METS 4, TIGERS 2

New York starter Matt Harvey threw three shutout innings, allowing two hits. Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff home run, his second of the spring. Detroit starter Mike Fiers worked 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs and two hits. Derek Norris doubled and singled, raising his batting average this spring to .556.

ANGELS 7, REDS 5

Cincinnati center fielder Billy Hamilton sprinted to make a diving, backhanded catch in the gap to rob Shohei Ohtani of an extra-base hit. Ohtani went 0 for 3 as the Angels' DH and is batting .143.

WHITE SOX 9, ATHLETICS 9, 9 INNINGS

Yoan Moncada got two hits and scored three runs for Chicago. Joakim Soria pitched a scoreless inning. Jed Lowrie homered for Oakland. A's reliever Santiago Casilla gave up five runs and got just two outs.

DODGERS 8, INDIANS 1

Rich Hill worked three innings of one-hit ball in the start, striking out four. Matt Kemp hit his third spring home run for Los Angeles and Yasmani Grandal hit his second. Yonder Alonso doubled twice for Cleveland. Andrew Miller threw a hitless inning of relief.

RANGERS 5, GIANTS 4

Matt Moore, acquired by the Rangers in a January trade with the Giants, gave up one hit in 2 2/3 innings against his former team. Adrian Beltre doubled and singled in his first two at-bats this spring. San Francisco starter Ty Blach worked 3 1/3 innings for the Giants, scattering five hits and allowing a run. Austin Jackson had a hit, walked and drove in a run.

CUBS 5, ROCKIES 4

Ian Happ hit his fourth spring homer, doubled and singled for Chicago and Anthony Rizzo hit his second home run. Kyle Hendricks struck out four in his three-inning start. Charlie Blackmon, batting third for Colorado, hit a home run.

[StarDust Bum]

Rays trade INF Ryan Schimpf to Braves
March 5, 2018

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays have traded infielder Ryan Schimpf to the Atlanta Braves in for a player to be named or cash.

The Rays announced the deal Monday, two days after Schimpf was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for free agent outfielder Carlos Gomez, who signed a $4 million, one-year contract.

The 29-year-old Schimpf began last season as San Diego's starting third baseman and batted .158 with 14 homers and 25 RBIs in 53 games. The Rays acquired him in December for a minor league prospect.


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Polanco is ready to fulfill potential
March 5, 2018

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) Gregory Polanco thought the best way to boost his power numbers was by bulking up his body.

The Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder quickly found out last year that was not the case. He said he ''didn't feel right'' at the beginning of spring training and throughout the season following a winter of heavy weight training.

''I felt like I couldn't move,'' Polanco said.

Polanco wound up hitting .251 with 11 home runs in 108 games. He also spent three stints on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.

The Pirates' training staff came up with a different workout plan for Polanco to follow this past offseason and he reported to spring training leaner and feeling more flexible.

''I lost some weight, so my hips and hands are faster,'' Polanco said. ''If your hands are slow, you get jammed a lot. That's why I focused on that. That was my main focus, getting a strong core, lower body and legs so I can go quick, go fast.''

Polanco's bat has looked quicker in his limited playing time so far this spring training. He homered in his first game and entered Monday 3 for 8 with a double.

''You've got to get the in the rhythm right from the start and I feel like I'm in a good rhythm,'' Polanco said. ''Hitting a home run on the first day was a good start. I just want to carry what I'm doing this spring into the season then all the way through the season.''

The 26-year-old is a .252 hitter with 66 home runs.

''He's a guy that's got a swing that will play,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''Home runs are thrown more than they're hit. As he continues to mature as a hitter, I think there's situations he can hunt them. There's power in the bat. If he's on the field consistently, you'll see more power.''

Polanco vows he will be on the field more often this year.

''I feel great,'' he said. ''As good as I've ever felt. I'm excited about what I can do this season.''

The Pirates need to fill the offensive void created when they traded five-time All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco.

''A lot of people said it is time for me to take charge,'' Polanco said. ''I use that to get better and show what I can do for the team and me, too. I know I can do more than I've done so far. It motivates me to work hard and be a better a player. I know my team needs me more than ever now and it's time I start to be the type of player I know I can be.''


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Cubs hoping Wilson can regain his form
March 5, 2018

MESA, Ariz. (AP) For all the talk about the Chicago Cubs' new-look bullpen, the biggest key to its success might be the return of Justin Wilson.

Not the Justin Wilson who struggled for the last couple months of last season. The one who pitched for the Detroit Tigers.

If Wilson finds his form, he would give manager Joe Maddon another left-handed option for high-leverage situations late in games. If Wilson struggles again, Maddon would have to employ him very carefully.

''It just permits us to dole out the work in a way that we should not get anybody overtly tired, so that's what I look at,'' Maddon said Monday. ''But I mean, listen, you've seen good, I've heard good, you know, work-wise and the stuff that he's been doing. They're reporting back, he did something today that the guys are just raving about, so let's see how it plays out.''

The 30-year-old Wilson has made two appearances so far this spring training, tossing a scoreless inning against Oakland and Cincinnati with two strikeouts total. He also sounds optimistic coming off the disappointing finish to last year.

''I'm very excited,'' Wilson said. ''I'm just excited to get going. Played well so far. Good vibe around here.''

Wilson began last season with Detroit and was widely regarded as the top reliever on the trade market after he posted a 2.68 ERA with 13 saves in 42 games with the lowly Tigers. He also had 55 strikeouts and 16 walks in 40 1/3 innings.

The Cubs were picking up speed in July when they got Wilson and veteran catcher Alex Avila from the Tigers for minor league infielders Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes and $250,000. An elated Wilson quickly joined his new team at Wrigley Field, but he was never quite able to establish himself with his new club.

He walked two, threw a wild pitch and yielded a run-scoring double to Arizona's Jake Lamb in his debut with Chicago. He had a 6.75 ERA over his first seven games after the trade.

''A little bit of everything really,'' he said when asked what went wrong. ''Mainly it was inconsistency. That was probably the biggest thing. ... You try to change things when you're not going well as well. It was just a battle, kind of like an uphill battle the whole way. Just excited for a fresh start.''

Wilson showed glimpses of his potential down the stretch, but they were usually followed by some shaky outings. He had a 5.09 ERA in 23 games with the Cubs with 25 strikeouts and 19 walks in 17 2/3 innings.

Despite the tough finish, Chicago put him on the playoff roster for the first round of the playoffs and he retired the only two batters he faced against Washington. He was inactive for the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Cubs' bullpen faltered while the defending World Series champions were eliminated in five games.

Wilson's absence was particularly noticeable when John Lackey made a rare relief appearance in Game 2 in Los Angeles and surrendered Justin Turner's tiebreaking three-run homer with two outs in the ninth. Maddon was criticized for not going to All-Star closer Wade Davis at the time, but he might have approached the situation differently had Wilson played his way on the roster.

''Just want to feel and do what I did before I came over,'' Wilson said.

The Cubs want the same thing. After the bullpen issues against Los Angeles, Chicago signed Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek in free agency and Davis departed for a big contract with Colorado. Morrow steps in at closer and Cishek will get some of the late-inning duties, but a rejuvenated Wilson could provide a big lift.

''It would be spectacular, obviously,'' Maddon said. ''He's got closing ability. We've got several guys with that kind of ability. The matchups, the thing about him is he gets out righties really well, too. So you've got the lefty coming in that's very tough on righties also.''

[StarDust Bum]

Red Sox lefty Price makes spring debut
March 5, 2018

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) David Price and the rest of the Boston Red Sox staff are learning a whole new pitch this spring.

Price faced Red Sox minor leaguers on a back field Monday in his first camp outing, throwing three innings under controlled circumstances.

''It feels good to be able to stand here and feel as good as I feel,'' he said. ''It's different than any other spring trainings. Easing into it has been great.''

''The way my arm feels and my body feels is great. To have a laid-back spring training, I think everybody is benefiting from it. Take it nice and slow and do it the right way,'' he said.

Price expects to make his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday against Minnesota.

The AL East champions are slowly bringing along the 32-year-old Price. But it's not because of the injury to his left elbow that sidelined him in 2017, when he made just 11 starts and went 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA.

New manager Alex Cora and first-year pitching coach Dana LeVangie are monitoring the spring workload for some of their starting pitchers.

One of the new rules, Price said, is that when pitchers throw bullpen sessions, they aren't responsible for other activities that day, such as pitchers' fielding practice and side drills.

''This is different for all of us,'' Price said. ''I don't think it's very common, not just in our camp. I know a lot of pitchers and I never heard of what we're doing.''

''Alex said when it's your day for bullpen, come to team meeting the days you're throwing your bullpen and you focus on the bullpen and don't worry about PFPs or doing cover drills. To be able to take it lighter, it's got to help us down the road,'' he said.

Price made his final start last year on July 22. The five-time All-Star and former AL Cy Young Award winner returned in mid-September and pitched five times out of the bullpen.

Price was a reliever in the playoffs, too, throwing 6 2/3 shutout innings against Houston during two games of the AL Division Series.

Going against Boston minor leaguers, Price threw 31 of 39 pitches for strikes and used only fastballs and cutters. He gave up four hits, walked none and struck out three of 13 batters. Innings ended when he reached he reached a pitch count.

Price signed a seven-year, $217 million contract before the 2106 season to be the team's ace. But with the acquisition of left-hander Chris Sale last season, his role changed.

Price doesn't feel the burden of the expectations on him to be the ace.

''I don't,'' he said. ''I don't view myself that way. I'm a piece to this puzzle. If I do my job, I'm going to help us win baseball games, but I'm no more important than Mookie (Betts), or Pedey (Dustin Pedroia) or anyone else. Everyone needs to come out here and do our part and if we do that, at the end of the day we'll be satisfied.''


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Mets' Matt Harvey thinks he's on right track to regain form
March 5, 2018

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) Matt Harvey thinks he is on the right track as he tries to regain the form that made him an All-Star in 2013.

The oft-injured New York Mets pitcher allowed two hits over three scoreless innings against Detroit on Monday in his second spring training appearance.

''I was pleased with putting up zeroes but also to be able to throw my pitches and keep guys guessing,'' the 28-year-old right-hander said. ''I didn't go late into the game because we're only going three innings, but I finished the outing strong and came out with zeroes.''

An All-Star who started the 2013 game at the Mets' Citi Field, Harvey has struggled since tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow that August. He was 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA over 29 starts when he returned in 2015 following Tommy John surgery, then slumped to 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA, when he didn't start after July 4 because of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which required another operation.

He wound up 5-7 with a 6.70 ERA last year, when he was sidelined from mid-June until September because of a stress fracture in his scapula, which connects the arm with the collarbone.

Harvey, who is eligible for free agency after this season, threw in the mid-90 mph range against the Tigers. Not quite the level he reached in his youth but enough to be effective.

''I think the third inning I felt better than the first two innings,'' he said. ''Usually it's the other way around. That's a good sign. I was able to get in trouble and get out of it.''

Harvey had one strikeout and one walk in a 46-pitch outing.

''He pitched with not his best stuff today,'' new Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. ''Throughout the season you're going to have a handful of those. If you can get through those, that's huge. He did a good job of throwing strike one and maybe fell behind after that, but he knew he had good stuff, made a pitch and got out of it. He can be very good for us.''

Harvey faced a batting order that included Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez

''Being able to go three against that lineup was a good test,'' Harvey said. ''There were a couple of pitches that were here or there that weren't mechanically as I wanted, but I was able to bounce back pretty quickly and get it under control.''

Notes: Brandon Nimmo hit his second homer of the spring training leading off the first inning against RHP Mike Fiers, a drive just right of the batter's eye. ... Jose Reyes drove in a pair of runs with a double in the seventh, while Travis d'Arnaud doubled in a run in the first. ... LHP Jason Vargas is to start Tuesday against Houston and RHP Collin McHugh, and RHP Zack Wheeler is to pitch Wednesday against the New York Yankees.


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Cubs LHP Jon Lester working on unusual bounce throw to bases
March 5, 2018

MESA, Ariz. (AP) Chicago Cubs ace Jon Lester is trying a new approach when it comes to his biggest weakness.

One bounce at a time.

Lester is working with new third base coach Brian Butterfield on bouncing his throw to the bases when he has to make a play on defense. He got a chance to use the technique during Sunday's 2-0 loss to Arizona in spring training, and the ball skipped past minor league first baseman Efren Navarro for an error.

Lester has struggled with throwing to bases for years, but the three-time World Series winner remains one of the game's most effective pitchers. The 34-year-old left-hander is slated to start on opening day on March 29 at Miami.

''It's just a different thing for him,'' Butterfield said Monday. ''Throwing a ball to a base for him in a quiet setting is far different than when he's got to cock his arm in a game setting. You know, that's understandable, just because pitchers for the most part, it's probably a little bit more difficult for them to throw to the bases because they've made a living out of long arm action.

''Infielders, we try to shorten their backswing when they throw to the bases to become more accurate, so they're a little bit more in tune throwing to the bases. Outfielders have trouble throwing batting practice when they become coaches because they've had that long arm swing.''

Lester and Butterfield have been working on the bounce throw on the backfields of Chicago's spring training complex. They also tinkered with the concept while the two were in Boston.

On the play that resulted in the error , Lester knocked down David Peralta's comebacker in the third inning before bouncing the throw from right in front of the mound. Butterfield said they hadn't practiced the play from that particular spot.

''We've worked the skip pass on the third base side, where there's a little bit more distance,'' he said, ''and we've also worked it on the first base side, where he can get his body turned around and just short arm stroke, almost like throwing a dart and getting that skip. We've also worked the comebacker throwing the ball to second base with a skip.''

Lester also was working with Navarro instead of regular first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

If the concept is successful, it would give manager Joe Maddon more options when it comes to aligning his defense in certain situations. It also would make life easier on Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant and catcher Willson Contreras while Lester is on the mound.

''I really don't even want him to worry about it, I really don't,'' Maddon said. ''They're handling it. Like I said, that's what we wanted to do is what he did yesterday. It's going to work. It works.''

[StarDust Bum]

March MLB Record: ( Opinions Only )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/05/2018 4-8-1 33.33% -21.80
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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[StarDust Bum]

Rangers' Moore looks to make rebound
March 6, 2018

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Early in spring training, many pitchers take the same approach to starts. The basic work-on-stuff, build-innings-and-conditioning, reach-pitch-limit kind of thing.

For Matt Moore, it was a little different.

After a poor year with the San Francisco Giants last season, the Texas lefty faced them Monday in his second outing. He allowed a run on one hit, a pair of walks and a wild pitch over 2 2/3 innings, striking out two. Moore left after giving up an RBI single to Austin Jackson.

''I was looking forward to it, absolutely,'' Moore said. ''Not like I have anything out for them, it's just that those are the guys that I sat in the dugout with for the last year and a half, and got to know them pretty well. It was fun to just compete against them.''

The Giants traded Moore to the Rangers for prospects in the offseason after he spent part of 2016 and all of 2017 in the Bay Area. He's in his seventh season in the majors at only 28 years old, and is coming off a season of career lows.

Those included 15 losses, 107 earned runs allowed and a 5.52 ERA. The Giants exercised his contract option last September, and Moore thought he'd still be around.

''I was surprised. You only know what people are writing in the paper and such,'' Moore said. ''I hadn't heard my name out there and then kind of just got a call one day and this might happen, might not.''

Moore has no hard feelings, and was able to smile again after a tough year when he learned he was going to Texas. He's on his third team in three years.

''Last year I felt like I fell short in too many of those games where the deciding runs, deciding situations, too many times was I not coming through for the guys for whatever reason,'' Moore said. ''Being on a team, that's all you want to do. You want to feel like you're contributing in a positive fashion and you're pulling on the same side of the rope as everybody else is.''

Moore, a 2013 AL All-Star with Tampa Bay, figures to be in a Rangers rotation that could open the season with six pitchers. Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, Doug Fister and Moore are penciled in for four spots.

In trying to fix what didn't work last season, Moore is keeping his back foot on the rubber as long as possible to keep the direction of his pitches true. He's also not trying to rely as much on a cut fastball.

''We think that he's primed to have one of those strike back-type years, trend upwards,'' Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. ''We feel good about it. Still young, still got a good lively arm.''

[StarDust Bum]

TUESDAY, MARCH 6
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BAL at MIN 01:05 PM
MIN -135

NYY at DET 01:05 PM
DET +135

BOS at TB 01:05 PM
BOS -120

STL at MIA 01:05 PM
STL -135

ATL at TOR 01:07 PM
ATL +105

CLE at CIN 03:05 PM
CLE -125

LAD at CHC 03:05 PM
CHC -125

MIL at CHW 03:05 PM
MIL +100

TEX at OAK 03:05 PM
OAK -105

LAA at ARI 03:10 PM
LAA +110

SD at KC 08:05 PM
SD +100

COL at SEA 08:40 PM
COL +105

[StarDust Bum]

Wheel see: Diamondbacks set to bring back bullpen buggy
March 6, 2018

The bullpen cart is back in the big leagues.

Nearly a quarter-century since relievers stopped catching rides to the mound, the Arizona Diamondbacks said Tuesday they will use a buggy - topped by the requisite oversized team cap - to transport pitchers from both bullpens at Chase Field.

''I don't know how it will be getting driven in, but I think it's a cool idea and we'll have some fun with it,'' Diamondbacks closer candidate Archie Bradley said.

With Major League Baseball looking for ways to speed up things, it's hard to tell whether this will save any time. But it's certain to be a hit with fans, especially the kids the game is trying to attract.

''I love it. I love it. I love,'' Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. ''It brings a little personality. We're probably the only sport that can do something like that.''

The last known time a team in the majors used a motorized vehicle - some clubs had actual cars - to relay relievers was 1995, when the Milwaukee Brewers shuttled them in a motorcycle with a sidecar.

Baseball historians have tracked the use of bullpen carts to 1950, when the Indians first used a ''little red wagon.'' The first official use came in 1951 with the Chicago White Sox.

The Kansas City Athletics added one in 1955, and by the 1960s, the carts could be found across the majors and minors.

CUBS 9, DODGERS 5

Yu Darvish struck out four over two hitless innings in his first game with the Cubs. Albert Almora Jr. hit his first home run of the spring and Javier Baez doubled, singled and drove in two runs. Logan Forsythe and Matt Kemp each doubled for Los Angeles.

REDS 7, INDIANS 6

Jason Kipnis hit his sixth home run and is batting .529 this spring for Cleveland. Francisco Lindor homered and drove in three runs. Carlos Carrasco made is second appearance and first start of the spring, working two innings, striking out four and giving up a home run to Scooter Gennett.

TWINS 9, ORIOLES 8

Joe Mauer drove in three runs with two hits. in four at-bats. Hunter Harvey, a 2013 first-round draft pick and son of former major league pitcher Bryan Harvey, worked two innings in his second start for Baltimore.

RED SOX 9, RAYS 1

Rafael Devers hit his second home run for Boston and Xander Bogaerts also connected. Tampa Bay starter Chih-Wei Hu gave up three runs on four hits in two innings.

ASTROS (SS) 10, NATIONALS 5

Charlie Morton struck out six in three scoreless innings and Marwin Gonzalez homered for Houston. A.J. Cole worked three innings in his second start, striking out four but giving up three runs on five hits.

YANKEES 7, TIGERS 2

Giancarlo Stanton doubled and Billy McKinney hit his third homer for New York. Detroit newcomer Francisco Liriano started his first game of the spring and struck out three in two innings.

CARDINALS 4, MARLINS 4, 9 INNINGS

St. Louis starter Jack Flaherty struck out seven and Yadier Molina doubled. Miami prospect Lewis Brinson, acquired in the Christian Yelich trade and looking to secure a roster spot, hit a two-run homer.

BRAVES 5, BLUE JAYS 1

Sean Newcomb worked three innings in the start for Atlanta and gave up one hit, a home run by Teoscar Hernandez. Toronto starter Joe Biagini worked 3 1/3 innings, striking out five but giving up three runs on four hits.

METS (SS) 9, ASTROS (SS) 5

Phillip Evans hit a game-ending grand slam and Yoenis Cespedes also homered for the Mets. New York starter Jason Vargas went 2 2/3 innings and gave up four hits and two runs, striking out three. Kyle Tucker hit his fourth home run for Houston.

WHITE SOX 6, BREWERS 4

Reynaldo Lopez worked three innings in his second start for Chicago, walking three and striking out three. Milwaukee starter Wade Miley worked 3 2/3 innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out four. Travis Shaw hit two home runs. for the Brewers.

ATHLETICS 5, RANGERS 3

Texas starter Bartolo Colon gave up no earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, working around five hits and a walk. Sean Manaea went two innings in his first spring start for Oakland, striking out three and giving up just one hit.

DIAMONDBACKS 5, ANGELS 4

Arizona reliever Neftali Feliz went one inning and allowed an earned run on three hits. Los Angeles DH Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 2 with a walk and is batting .111.

[StarDust Bum]

B]Wednesday’s 6-pack[/B]

Over/under wagers for home runs this season:

31.5 Gary Sanchez

30.5 Kyle Schwarber

28.5 Marcell Ozuna

28.5 Charlie Blackmon

27.5 Joey Votto

26.5 Jake Lamb

Quote of the Day
“No and I’ll tell you why. Because at 11:30 at night, when I’ve had my 10th drink, I’m liable to say something that will cost me my job.”
Bill Raftery, on why he doesn’t have a Twitter account

Wednesday’s quiz
Which major league team has spring training in Clearwater, FL?

Tuesday’s quiz
Last WCC team other than Gonzaga or St Mary’s to win the WCC tournament was San Diego, in 2008.

Monday’s quiz
Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville.

[StarDust Bum]

DH Brandon Moss released by Oakland Athletics.
March 6, 2018

MESA, Ariz. (AP) Designated hitter Brandon Moss has been released by the Oakland Athletics.

Moss was acquired from Kansas City on Jan. 29 and was 4 for 10 with two walks in four spring training games. He was designated for assignment when Oakland claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from Cincinnati on Sunday.

Moss is guaranteed $7.25 million this season and a $1 million buyout of his 2019 club option. He was acquired Kansas City on Jan. 29 along with left-hander Ryan Buchter for right-handers Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer, and the Royals agreed to pay Oakland $3.25 million.

If the 34-year-old Moss signs with another team, a prorated share of the $545,000 minimum would be offset against what he is owed by the A's, who announced his release Tuesday.

Moss hit .207 with 22 homers and 50 RBIs in 118 games for Kansas City last year and has a .237 average with 160 homers and 473 RBIs in 11 big league seasons with Boston (2007-08), Pittsburgh (2008-10), Philadelphia (2011), Oakland (2012-14), Cleveland (2015), St. Louis (2015-16) and Kansas City (2017).

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Liriano goes 2 scoreless in Tigers debut
March 6, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) Detroit left-hander Francisco Liriano threw two scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his first start with a new team.

Liriano allowed one hit, walked two and struck out three in the Tigers' 7-2 loss Tuesday.

Liriano worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the first by striking out Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez. He induced a double-play grounder from Miguel Andujar to end the second.

''My main focus this year is to eliminate the walks and make something happen in three pitches or less,'' Liriano said. ''That's what I'm working on right now. I missed my spots a little bit in my first outing. Trying too hard to prove something in the first outing but I got the first one out of the way and hopefully I'll be better in the next one.''

The Tigers agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with Liriano on Feb. 23, giving the Tigers added pitching depth.

The 34-year-old was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with Toronto and 20 relief appearances with World Series champion Houston, which acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline. He is 102-99 in a 12-year big league career.

''I'm just happy to be healthy and go out there and pitch and have fun,'' Liriano said.

Liriano can earn $1 million in performance bonuses based on starts.

''Maybe a little less velocity, but his velocity is still good,'' Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. ''His changeup is phenomenal. He's going to throw pitches, we know that. He's going to fire inside and outside but he's got great stuff and that changeup is still dominating.''

Also, Detroit right-hander Michael Fulmer, scratched from a start Sunday because of elbow discomfort, is scheduled to take mound Friday against the New York Mets.

Travis Wood (torn ACL and meniscus) will have surgery Tuesday in Dallas.

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

Jay agrees to $3M deal with Royals
March 6, 2018

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) The Kansas City Royals have plugged a hole in center field by agreeing to sign Jon Jay.

Jay agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract Tuesday, and could earn another $1.5 million in performance bonuses. Kansas City made room for Jay by placing pitcher Jesse Hahn on the 60-day disabled list with an elbow injury.

With Lorenzo Cain leaving to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Royals lacked an experienced center fielder to cover the spacious Kauffman Stadium grass.

Jay has a .996 career fielding percentage, the highest of any active major league outfielder with a minimum of 500 games. He has appeared in 648 games in center during his eight-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs.

Jay did not commit an error in 141 chances last season and enters this season with a 189-game errorless streak.

''Without knowing him, the more homework I do on him, the more I like him,'' Royals manager Ned Yost said. ''The more people I talk to, the more it's like, `Wow, this guy brings a lot to the table.' He'll play a lot.''

He hit .296 in 141 games last season with the Cubs, including .325 (13 for 40) as a pinch-hitter. Jay, 32, also is a left-handed hitter, which is attractive to the Royals, who have a predominantly right-handed hitting lineup.

''Jay brings veteran leadership, a very consistent, solid bat,'' Yost said. ''Good defense in the outfield. He'll fit in. Plays all three outfield positions, DH, whatever. He's always been a productive bat and is an 80 makeup guy, which is the highest on the scale. A really good teammate, really productive.''

Jay said it has been a ''very strange'' offseason on the free agent market.

''I'm happy to be here, excited to be here, happy to be in spring training,'' he said. ''There are a lot of pieces here. I'm here to do my part.''

Hahn, who was acquired from Oakland in a trade for Brandon Moss, experienced elbow discomfort in his start Thursday. It has been diagnosed as a right ulnar collateral ligament sprain.

The club is sending Hahn's medical reports to Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion. Hahn had Tommy John surgery in 2010.

''Hopefully we were able to catch something soon enough and take control of the situation and hopefully I end up good to go,'' Hahn said. ''We're just going to treat it right now and see how it responds. Test it dynamically, let it calm down and then get out there, start a throwing program and just take it from there, one step day by day.''

Outfield prospect and former first-round draft pick Bubba Starling has also been shut down with an oblique issue. He was limited to 80 games last season with Triple-A Omaha because of an oblique strain.

[StarDust Bum]

New vibe surrounds Phillies in spring
March 6, 2018

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) Loud music blares inside the clubhouse and several players gather to watch an intense battle during another round of the team's pingpong tournament.

There's a different vibe surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies this spring.

New manager Gabe Kapler has brought a new-school philosophy, a ton of energy and plenty of positivity to an organization that needed revitalization after five straight losing seasons.

''He's the man,'' shortstop J.P. Crawford said. ''He's the reason why this clubhouse is like this. He makes everyone feel comfortable and everyone wants to fight for him. He cares so much about us and that translates to us wanting to play for him and win for him and it's great to have a manager like that.''

Kapler's only previous managerial experience came in 2007 when he took a season off from playing in the majors to lead Boston's Class A affiliate. He also coached Team Israel during the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifying period. But his progressive thinking was an attractive quality for Philadelphia general manager Matt Klentak.

Kapler has a fondness for analytics - an area the Phillies sorely lacked until Klentak came along. He embraces sports science to the point he had players start workouts at 11 a.m. early in camp to give them an extra hour of sleep. The staff is logging reps of everything from swings to throws to squats to sprints to make sure players don't get overworked.

''We are going to focus on rest, recovery and our guys being the strongest versions of themselves,'' Kapler said. ''I don't think there's any value in getting to the ballpark when it's dark just to get to the ballpark when it's dark.''

Kapler is a believer in using video and pictures. He can be seen taking it himself on any of the practice fields.

''I think images are very powerful, video is very powerful and sharing images of people doing great work is a great way to endorse them,'' he said.

The 42-year old Kapler is a fitness freak who is challenging some of the older traditions. For example, he doesn't believe pitchers always have to run laps as if they're training for a marathon because they need to be explosive for one pitch at a time.

''The game is always evolving and changing,'' he said. ''Pitchers understand they don't always need to run super long distances to be explosive. Sprints are awesome and more interval training.

''We have to look at it scientifically and medically how do our bodies recover most effectively and then how does it affect us mentally and strike that healthy balance.''

Players have welcomed all the changes. They've bought into Kapler's unconventional approach.

''He's an amazing guy,'' third baseman Maikel Franco said. ''The positivity he has is all over the place. He has good communication with us, good relationships. He makes you feel comfortable and makes you feel all you have to do is go out there and play baseball. When you have confidence and play the right way, everything is going to be fine.''

Kapler's message is: ''Be Bold.'' Those words are printed on red T-shirts players are wearing around the ballpark.

''The thought process is create an environment where people feel they can be bold and comfortable,'' Kapler said. ''We can win. We're fighting for the NL East in September.''

The Phillies won only 66 games last year but were 37-38 after the All-Star break and 17-13 in the final 30 games. They have a talented group of young players on the rise.

The lineup could be dynamic with veteran first baseman Carlos Santana joining Crawford, slugger Rhys Hoskins, outfielders Nick Williams, Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr, second baseman Cesar Hernandez, catcher Jorge Alfaro and Franco.

''We know we can win games,'' Herrera said.


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

Nats send Romero home for violation
March 6, 2018

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Seth Romero, a top pitching prospect selected by Washington with the 25th overall pick in last year's amateur draft, was sent home from spring training by the Nationals for violating curfew.

Washington said the left-hander violated team policy but did not go into details. A person familiar with the situation said Romero's girlfriend was at spring training and he stayed out late. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because no announcements were authorized.

''We don't discuss family politics or family issues, but he's part of this family,'' general manager Mike Rizzo said Tuesday. ''Actions beget consequences. No player is bigger than the organization.''

Romero was kicked off the team during his final season at the University of Houston. Coach Todd Whitting issued a statement attributing the decision to an unspecified event that followed what the coach said was previous conduct detrimental to the team.

Before that, some had projected Romero as an early first-round pick. He signed with the Nationals for a $2.8 million bonus.

Romero, who turns 22 on April 19, had been training on the minor league side of Nationals camp. Rizzo didn't offer a timeframe for Romero's return.

''Hopefully when he gets back here he'll be better for it,'' Rizzo said.

Romero pitched in one game for the Nationals' rookie league team and six for Class A Auburn last season, going 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 22 innings.

He was 4-5 with a 3.51 ERA as a junior at the University of Houston before being tossed off the team in May. Romero throws a fastball that can reach 95 mph, a slider and a changeup.

''This isn't the first time we've sent a player home and it won't be the last,'' Rizzo said.

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

Mancini wants to prove 2017 wasn't fluke
March 6, 2018

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't believe that left fielder Trey Mancini is going to have a difficult time in his second full season in the major leagues.

''People threw the kitchen sink at him last year,'' Showalter said. ''It wasn't like, `this year, we're going to throw him something different.' They tried everything.''

Mancini had an impressive rookie season. He hit .293 with 24 home runs and 78 RBIs, and made a successful conversion from first base to the outfield, which he had never played professionally.

The 25-year-old finished third in voting for American League Rookie of the Year, and feels he has a lot to prove.

''Every spring training I've gone in with the mindset that I'm fighting for a job and I'm not going to change that, no matter what the circumstances,'' Mancini said. ''I'm kind of like a creature of habit in that regard, so I'm always going to go in trying to compete for a spot.''

Mancini doesn't have to compete for a spot, but it's that attitude and maturity that's impressed Showalter about him. After all, there aren't many players in the majors who have degrees in political science from Notre Dame.

He soaked up advice from veterans last year, and will encourage young players to seek him out.

''They know that they can come to me if they need anything, need advice,'' Mancini said.

Mancini has a huge fan in Showalter, who watches carefully to make sure players don't get spoiled or complacent.

''It's fun to watch him hit,'' Showalter said. ''This guy has come in here like he's trying to make the club. He's always trying to improve. He's fun to watch. I don't think he's ever going to get comfortable with success. He's a driven guy.''

Before last season, Mancini worked with Orioles Vice President of Baseball Operations Brady Anderson in Southern California. It was a crash course of playing the outfield, and the two worked on it again before this

''The first year was basic and just kind of lay of the land out there,'' Mancini said. ''Now, it's a little more getting good jumps and focusing on things like that, which is something I wanted to improve on, so it's a little more technical, I guess now this year.''

Mancini is one of the younger players in Baltimore's clubhouse, but he knows the team has many accomplished veterans. He's hoping to become one of them.

''You look around this locker room and there's a lot of talent around, so there's a lot of depth, a lot of experience, a lot of playoff experience, too,'' Mancini said. ''I feel really good about the guys we've brought in and it's a good feeling, for sure.''

NOTES: Mancini played first base for the first time this spring with Chris Davis out with a sore right elbow. Davis had an MRI on the elbow Saturday and was forecasted to be out three-to-five days. . The Orioles optioned RHPs Stefan Crichton, Michael Kelly and Yefry Ramirez to Triple-A Norfolk and assigned OF Jaycob Brugman and LHP Andrew Faulkner to minor league camp. They have 55 players on the spring training roster.

[StarDust Bum]

March MLB Record: ( Opinions Only )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/06/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +14.25
03/05/2018 4-8-1 33.33% -21.80
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

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BAL at TB 01:05 PM
BAL +130

NYY at NYM 01:10 PM
O 8.5

SD at SF 03:05 PM
SD +120

CIN at CHW 03:05 PM
CHW -132

MIL at KC 03:05 PM
MIL +110

LAD at LAA 03:10 PM
LAA +115
O 9.5

TEX at COL 03:10 PM
COL -132

CHC at CLE 08:05 PM
CLE -132

OAK at SEA 08:40 PM
O 9.5

[StarDust Bum]

Ichiro rejoins Mariners at 44, says Seattle is home team
March 7, 2018

Now that Ichiro Suzuki is back with the Seattle Mariners, he hopes to stick around a while.

''I think everybody hears that I want to play until I'm 50,'' he said through a translator. ''But I want to make sure everybody understands that I always say at least 50.''

The 44-year-old outfielder rejoined his former team Wednesday with a $750,000, one-year contract.

''Even in the offseason when I would go back to Japan, I always came back to Seattle. This was my home ... has always been my home,'' he said. ''Somewhere deep inside, I wanted to return and wear this uniform again.''

Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year with Seattle in 2001. He was traded to the New York Yankees during the 2012 season and spent three years in Miami.

Suzuki has a .312 career average and 3,080 hits, not including the 1,278 hits he totaled in Japan. He played 136 games last year for the Marlins and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said discussions about Suzuki's return intensified about a week ago, when the club's outfield injury situation became a greater concern.

''It did not take very long to put a deal together that brought Ichiro back home,'' Dipoto said.

TWINS 8, RED SOX (SS) 1

J.D. Martinez went 0 for 2 in his Boston debut, hitting a pair of flyballs. Martinez, who signed with the Red Sox in late February, batted cleanup and played left field. Jake Odorizzi gave up a run on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in his second start for Minnesota. Twins newcomer Logan Morrison got two hits and Miguel Sano doubled.

PHILLIES 2, RED SOX (SS) 1

Philadelphia opening day starter Aaron Nola gave up just one hit in four strong innings, striking out five. Drew Hutchison, who signed a minor league deal in February, worked three solid innings for the Phillies, giving up a run on two hits while striking out four. Newcomer Carlos Santana got a hit and is batting .211.

MARLINS 7, ASTROS 6

Gerrit Cole worked 3 2/3 innings in his third start for Houston, striking out four and allowing four hits. Jose Altuve homered and George Springer got a hit and is batting .368 this spring. Lewis Brinson, acquired from Milwaukee in the Christian Yelich trade, continued to make a strong case for a major league roster spot by getting two hits, including his fifth double of the spring.

YANKEES 11, METS 4

Mets starter Zack Wheeler scattered four hits and fanned four in three scoreless innings. Travis d'Arnaud homered for the first time this spring.

Brett Gardner got two hits and well-traveled Billy McKinney, who has been part of trades for both Jeff Samardzija and Aroldis Chapman, hit a grand slam for his fourth homer for the Yankees.

CARDINALS 4, NATIONALS 3

Adam Wainwright worked 3 2/3 innings in his second start of the spring for St. Louis. Cardinals closer Luke Gregerson is expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of days with tightness in his oblique. Washington starter Max Scherzer struck out four and gave up a home run to Greg Garcia.

ORIOLES 7, RAYS 2

Jose Mesa, the 24-year-old son of the former major league reliever of the same name, gave up a run on two hits in two innings for Baltimore. Danny Valencia drove in three runs with a pair of doubles, raising his spring batting average to .411 for the Orioles. Tampa Bay lefty Blake Snell allowed two hits over three innings.

BLUE JAYS (SS) 6, TIGERS 5

Victor Martinez hit his third home run of the spring for Detroit. Dalton Pompey had two hits and a steal for Toronto.

BLUE JAYS (SS) 13, PIRATES 4

Russell Martin, playing third base, and Curtis Granderson each hit their third home runs for Toronto. J.A. Happ gave up two hits and two walks in his three-inning start. Josh Bell homered for Pittsburgh.

DODGERS 4, ANGELS 2

Clayton Kershaw pitched three shutout innings and Logan Forsythe homered and doubled for the Dodgers. Angels starter Clayton Richard struck out seven in four innings, allowing two hits and an earned run.

WHITE SOX 14, REDS 12

Yoan Moncada had three hits and scored twice for Chicago. Starter Miguel Gonzalez got just two outs, giving up five runs on four hits and two walks. Reds starter Homer Bailey was tagged for six runs and seven hits in three innings. Scott Schebler got four hits.

PADRES 4, GIANTS 4, 10 INNINGS

San Francisco lefty Madison Bumgarner threw 48 pitches over 3 1/3 innings, giving up two runs and striking out six. Evan Longoria doubled and Brandon Belt had two hits for the Giants. San Diego starter Tyson Ross gave up two runs in three innings.

ROCKIES 5, RANGERS 4

New Colorado closer Wade Davis gave up a two-run homer to Drew Robinson. Charlie Blackmon hit his second homer of the spring for the Rockies. Texas slugger Joey Gallo hit his second homer of the spring as he settles in at first base.

BREWERS 10, ROYALS 6

Milwaukee starter Junior Guerra allowed one earned run in four innings. Ramon Torres had three hits for Kansas City.

CUBS 11, INDIANS 6

Slimmed-down Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber hit his first home run of the spring after Chicago had already gotten to Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer for eight runs. Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr. and Tommy La Stella each had two hits for Chicago. Cleveland first baseman Yonder Alonso hit his second homer of the spring after signing with Cleveland as a free agent.

ATHLETICS 7, MARINERS 3

Robinson Cano hit his first home run of the spring for Seattle, but the Mariners were undone by a trio of Oakland homers as Sheldon Neuse, Jake Smolinski and Chad Pinder each went deep for the A's during a five-run sixth inning. Seattle starter Marco Gonzalez pitched four scoreless innings and has yet to allow a run over nine innings this spring.

[StarDust Bum]

March MLB Record: ( Opinions Only )

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/07/2018 6-3-1 66.67% +14.90
03/06/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +14.25
03/05/2018 4-8-1 33.33% -21.80
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