Padres’ Hosmer settled in, ready for a rebound
pending free agency. “The thing that I can control is being here every day and doing my job.”
❚ Miguel Rojas is likely to be a backup infielder after spending last season as the primary third baseman. However, he is making a case for more playing time, going 15-for-29 (.515) to begin Grapefruit League play.
Milwaukee Brewers
Lorenzo Cain helped the Brewers get within one win of the World Series last season. Now, his goal is to push the franchise into its first Fall Classic appearance since 1982.
After being signed to a fiveyear, $80 million contract before the 2018 season, Cain hit .308 with 10 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 141 games.
“I still feel great,” the said.
❚ Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin will start the opener March 28 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was 15-8 with a 3.50 ERA in 35 starts a year ago. Chacin also allowed only one run in 52⁄3 innings as the Brewers beat the Cubs in the NL Central tiebreaker.
New York Mets
32year-old
Pete Alonso is following his outstanding minor league performance of last season with a strong spring training.
The 24-year-old first baseman hit a combined .285 with 36 home runs and 119 RBI in 132 games with Class AAA Las Vegas and Class AA Binghamton but did not receive a September call-up. He is trying to force the Mets’ hand, going 15-for-40 (.375) with three home runs to start exhibition play.
“I wanted to work as hard as I could every single day and play as well as I possibly could,” Alonso said.
❚ Veteran left-hander Luis Avilan is likely to win a spot in the bullpen after allowing just two runs in his first 92⁄3 innings of Grapefruit League action.
Philadelphia Phillies
Almost lost among the signing of outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen, who both have won the NL MVP Award, was the February trade with the Marlins for catcher J.T. Realmuto.
The 28-year-old is coming off the best season of his five-year career, hitting .277 with 21 home runs in 125 games and being selected to the All-Star Game. Realmuto is also two years away from free agency.
“You can make a case that he’s the best catcher in baseball,” McCutchen said.
❚ Harper survived a scare as X-rays were negative after he was hit on the right ankle by a pitch from the Toronto Blue Jays’ Trent Thornton on March 15. Harper should be ready for opening day.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Infielder-outfielder Pablo Reyes made a strong first impression in the major leagues last September, hitting .293 in 18 games.
Now, Reyes stands a good chance of being on the openingday roster. He can play second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.
“When you are a utility guy, you take advantage of the opportunities every day and do all you can do so you can help the team,” Reyes said.
❚ Jung Ho Kang hit five home runs in his first 25 at-bats to win the starting third-base job over Colin Moran. Kang missed most of the last two seasons after being unable to secure a work visa following his third DUI arrest in his native South Korea.
St. Louis Cardinals
Kolten Wong has been feeling relaxed since he was told that he would be the starting second baseman by Cardinals manager Mike Shildt on the first day of spring training.
Wong has played six seasons for the Cardinals, hitting .255 with 41 home runs and 59 stolen bases in 651 games. However, he has never had a firm grip on a job.
“It’s something I’ve asked for since I got to the big leagues, just a chance to go out there and play every day,” Wong said.
❚ Right-hander Carlos Martinez will start the season on the injured list because of weakness in his shoulder. He missed three weeks last year with the same condition.
San Diego Padres
Eric Hosmer had a disappointing first year with the Padres last season, hitting .253 with 18 home runs in 157 games. Hosmer signed an eight-year, $144 million contract as a free agent after spring training had started.
Hosmer is more relaxed this spring.
“It’s definitely a different vibe for me to walk in here and be able to know a lot of the faces,” Hosmer said. “I just got to focus on baseball all offseason and that was probably the best part about it.”
❚ Right-hander Chris Paddack has yet to pitch above Class AA but is making a strong case to be on the opening-day roster. In his first 121⁄3 innings, he allowed three earned runs and had 20 strikeouts.
San Francisco Giants
Left-hander Madison Bumgarner is still the ace of the staff despite having each of his last two seasons shortened by injury.
Bumgarner was 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts last year. He missed the first two months after breaking his finger on the last day of spring training.
“He’s a pretty simple guy,” said veteran catcher Rene Rivera, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason. “He just attacks the zone. Let’s see what he’s going to do.”
❚ Second baseman Joe Panik was limited to 102 games last season because of thumb and groin injuries but has bounced back strong. He was 15-for-29 (.517) with one home run in exhibition play.
Washington Nationals
Max Scherzer finished second in the NL Cy Young voting last season after winning the award the previous two years. However, the right-hander is still looking to improve.