WBC has changed the urgency of spring
Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy is making it a point to work with Yu Darvish as much as possible early this spring.
Not only does Lucroy want to get on the same page with his ace, he also realizes there’s limited opportunities before opening day with the World Baseball Classic in play.
Lucroy is playing with Team USA. Catcher Robinson Chirinos is playing for Team Venezuela. Lucroy leaves for Miami to play in the first round of the WBC March 1.
“I think it’s important to get that time with him during the spring so I’m right there with him until I leave for the WBC,” said Lucroy, who caught Darvish’s 32pitch live bullpen session Monday morning on a back field. Darvish agreed. “I think it’s going to be a positive for both of us,” said Darvish, who pitched to Nomar Mazara, Hanser Alberto and a couple of minor leaguers. “I think it’s important for me to throw to him as much as we can.”
Giants
Johnny Cueto remains in the Dominican Republic helping his ailing father a week after pitchers and catchers reported to spring training, and San Francisco plans to reach out to him to see how he is doing and whether he thinks he will be ready to pitch for his country in the WBC. “The WBC is starting to cause a slight concern,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’ll be smart enough to know if he’s ready or not.” Cueto, who signed a $130 million, six-year contract before 2016, went 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA and five complete games in 32 starts.
Mets
New York has resolved to take advantage of the extra time in spring training because of the WBC. The extra cushion will allow the Mets to delay the Grapefruit League debuts of projected starting pitchers, a measure to protect the health of top arms. It also will provide more time for third baseman David Wright to ease into more baseball activities in hopes of being ready for opening day. “I know most of these guys probably hate it,” said Wright, coming off neck surgery. “But it’s beneficial for me because I get a chance to kind of take baby steps.”
Dodgers
Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw threw two innings in live batting practice in a tune-up before Cactus League play begins this weekend. He threw 29 pitches and was able to use a curveball and a slider to complement his fastball. “This day is always not the most fun, because you’re low on adrenaline, and you have to try to be competitive,” Kershaw said. “You try to create it as best you can. Overall, it went OK, so that’s good. I got it out of the way now, so I can pitch in a real game.”
Marlins
Left-hander Jeff Locke has stopped throwing for a few days due to bicep tendinitis. Miami expects him to resume his program by the end of the week. “We just want to get him calmed down before we get him back started again,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We got plenty of time.” Locke is still participating in most of each day’s workouts, but not the throwing portions.
Braves
New manager Brian Snitker is the fourth-oldest rookie manager in baseball history. He was 60 years, 7 months old when appointed interim manager of the Braves in the 2016 season. Tom Sheehan was appointed to manage San Francisco in 1960 at age 66 after the firing of Bill Rigney to make him the oldest in history.