Baker to MLB: Tell teams to ‘stop the comments’ on Astros

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. >> Dusty Baker wants action from Major League Baseball: End the criticism of the Astros from across baseball over sign stealing, and take steps to ensure pitchers don’t throw at his players.

“It’s not good for the game, it’s not good for kids to see it, so I think both,” the new Houston manager said Saturday. “Stop the comments and also stop something before it happens.”

Baker spoke in response to a wave of harsh comments during spring training about the Astros’ use of video to steal signs in 2017 and 2018. Los Angeles Dodger first baseman Cody Bellinger said Friday the Astros “stole” the 2017 World Series title from them and adds that Jose Altuve did likewise with the MVP, denying the Yankees’ Aaron Judge.

Houston players, management and ownership spent the first day of camp apologizing for their actions and professing remorse. But many players and front offices around the league didn’t feel they went far enough.

Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said he wanted to hear the Astros use the word “cheated” when addressing the situation.

“I’m depending on the league to try to put a stop to the seemingly premeditated retaliation that I’m hearing about,” Baker said. “In most instances in life you get kind of reprimanded for when you have premeditated anything.”

Los Angeles pitcher Ross Stripling indicated he might intentionally throw at Houston batters.

“We don’t start nothing,” Baker said. “This is kind of the slogan of my team: We don’t start anything — not intentionally. Guys are going to be getting hit intentionally and unintentionally. If you say you are going to drill somebody and all of the sudden you drill them, you can’t say, ‘I wasn’t trying to hit them,’ you know what I mean?”

Verlander skips bullpen session

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. >> Justin Verlander elected not to throw his scheduled bullpen session and No. 2 starter Zack Greinke isn’t even in camp yet, adding to an unusual start to Houston’s spring training.

Verlander’s name appeared on Houston’s daily schedule as a thrower, but a team spokesman said Verlander threw a 60-pitch bullpen on Tuesday before camp opened and requested “a little extra time before he threw again.”

Greinke isn’t expected to arrive in camp until Feb. 22. Baker said Greinke is 100% healthy.