Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dodgers debut ‘fun’ for Price
David Price felt a rush of nervous energy leading up to Monday. Acquired by the Dodgers last month from from the Red Sox, he made his first spring training appearance for his new team.
Price allowed two runs and three hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 11⁄3 innings during a 6-2 loss to Reds in Goodyear, Ariz.
“It’s been a while since I faced hitters wearing a different jersey,” the 34-yearold left-hander said. “It’s the first time I’ve been in a game in six, almost seven months. My legs were shaking out there. It’s just, if you love what you do you’re definitely going to have nerves. It was fun. I definitely enjoyed it, getting back out there.”
A left wrist problem that required surgery to remove a cyst limited Price to 42⁄3 innings last August and September. He finished 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 22 starts, then was traded by the retooling Red Sox with outfielder Mookie Betts for prospects.
Price gave up a two-run single in the first to Jesse Winker. He reached 91 mph with his fastball and said he was happy about how he pitched.
“Wasn’t missing in the middle of the plate,” Price said after throwing 20 balls and 20 strikes. “When I did miss, it was a very small miss. Everything is getting there.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said despite the location issues, Price’s fastball was coming out of his hand well.
The wrist surgery restored the feeling of warm blood flow to Price’s left hand. He admitted he’s been dealing with a lack of feeling in his fingers since his time in Rays, Tigers, Blue Jays and the Red Sox.
“I needed to get it fixed,” Price said. “It’s new for my hand to be warm.”
The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner for the Rays, Price joins a rotation headed by Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.
“It’s OK. This is a business, first and foremost,” Price said. “I learned that probably when I was traded from Tampa. I was naive at the time, I thought I was going to be a Ray for life . ... Teams are going in different routes now than what they used to. Some of it I understand and some of it I don’t.
“There’s no hard feelings on my part.”
Bellinger sits: Reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger was scratched from the Dodgers’ game against the Reds.
The outfielder took part in a charity event Sunday night at a Topgolf facility in Scottsdale, and a video showed him hitting a long drive off a tee.
Golf swings aren’t believed to be the reason for his injury, Roberts said.
With the Dodgers on an off-day Tuesday and playing a night game Wednesday, Roberts isn’t rushing to get Bellinger back to action. “We’ll see how he responds. But it’s not imperative that he plays in that night game, either,” Roberts said.
Bellinger is 4-for-13 with two doubles so far this spring.
Pirates’ Brault ailing: Pirates pitcher Steven Brault has a strained left shoulder and will be evaluated in two weeks.
Brault is trying to earn a spot with the Pirates after splitting last season between the bullpen and starting rotation. The 27-year-old left-hander has struggled in two appearances this spring training, allowing two runs and four hits in 21⁄3 innings.
Brault went 4-6 with a 5.16 ERA in 19 starts and six relief appearances last season.
Also, right-hander Clay Holmes is out 4-to-6 weeks due to a foot fracture.
Jones joins ESPN lineup: Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones has joined the ESPN lineup.
The former Braves star will work as a major league analyst, primarily on weeknight and holiday games. He’ll debut opening day when the Giants plays at Dodger Stadium on March 26.
Jones worked twice last year as a guest analyst for ESPN.
“We were instantly impressed,” senior coordinating producer Phil Orlins said in a statement. “He is a charismatic storyteller with an authentic and funloving personality.”
The 47-year-old Jones hit .303 with 468 home runs and 1,623 RBIs in a 19-year career through 2012.