Ex-AL pitcher learns NL aggressiveness early
Colorado Rockies
Right-hander Wade Davis will begin the season as the closer after being removed for the role last August.
Davis converted 15 of 18 saves in 2019 but had an 8.65 ERA in 50 games. A strained left side sidelined Davis from May 22 to June 6 and bothered him the rest of the year.
“It sucks when you’re not doing well at anything, anything in life,” Davis said.
❚ General manager Jeff Bridich said he expects no problems with third baseman Nolan Arenado, who was critical of the Rockies for a quiet offseason.
“Sometimes there are professional disagreements in a business,” Bridich said, according to The Denver Post.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers lost to the Astros in the 2017 World Series and are upset Houston electronically stole catchers’ signs that season.
Left-hander Clayton Kershaw wants the Dodgers to use the anger as fuel this season. The Dodgers have won seven consecutive NL West titles.
“People feel cheated, and rightfully so,” Kershaw said. “The only thing I will say now is we’ve got a great season coming up.”
❚ First baseman Tyler White, who played 22 games for the Astros in ’17, is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Miami Marlins
IF Jonathan Villar could become the center fielder after being acquired in an offseason trade with the Orioles.
The Marlins will give Villar a long look in center in Grapefruit League play. He has appeared in just eight games at the position during his seven-year career.
“I’m coming here to help the team,” Villar said.
❚ President of baseball operations Michael Hill says the Marlins have “as much talent” as at any time in his 19 years with the team.
Milwaukee Brewers
Christian Yelich is driven after his 2019 season ended 2½ weeks early because of a broken right kneecap.
“There will be no lack of motivation,” he said.
Yelich followed his NL MVP season of 2018 by hitting .329 with 44 home runs in 130 games.
Yelich will shift from right field to left field this season. Free agent signee Avisail Garcia takes over in right.
❚ Longtime Red Sox infielderoutfielder Brock Holt signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract.
New York Mets
Right-hander Rick Porcello is switching leagues after 11 years in the American League and signing a one-year, $10 million contract.
Porcello got a taste of NL aggressiveness in his first Grapefruit League start. Marlins rookie OF Monte Harrison stole two bases off him.
“I’ll start paying attention to that more and be prepared more for a change in style of play,” Porcello said.
❚ OF Yoenis Cespedes said he will be ready for the regular season after missing 2019 when he broke his right ankle following surgery on both heels.
Philadelphia Phillies
LF Andrew McCutchen is confident he will be ready to be in the opening-day lineup after having season-ending left knee surgery last June. He also had knee surgery when he was a sophomore in high school.
“The rehab is a lot quicker now,” McCutchen said.
In the first year of a threeyear, $50 million contract last season, McCutchen hit .256 with 10 home runs in 59 games.
❚ RHP Hector Neris avoided a salary arbitration hearing by signing a one-year, $4.6 million contract that includes a team option for 2021.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Right-hander Nick Burdi is showing he is fully recovered from the thoracic outlet syndrome surgery that ended his 2019 season after nine relief appearances.
“It’s one of those things where you deal with it and move on and get ready for 2020,” Burdi said.
Burdi is competing for a spot in the bullpen. He had a 9.35 ERA last year.
❚ Rookie right-hander Mitch Keller made a good early impression with two scoreless innings against the Minnesota Twins.
St. Louis Cardinals
1B Paul Goldschmidt is looking to be steady with the bat this year on the heels of an up-anddown first season with the Cardinals.
“I didn’t feel like I was consistently last year in my best hitting position,” Goldschmidt said.
Goldschmidt hit .260 with 34 home runs in 161 games after being acquired from the Diamondbacks in a trade.
❚ RHP Jack Flaherty will pitch the opener March 26 at the Cincinnati Reds. He was 11-8 with a 2.75 ERA in 33 starts last season.
San Diego Padres
Right-hander Zach Davies doesn’t light up radar guns but is expected to steady a young rotation following his offseason acquisition from the Brewers.
Davies’ fastball averaged 86.9 mph last season. Yet he was 10-7 with a 3.55 ERA in 31 starts.
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Austin Francisco Mejia
San Francisco Giants
Hedges
OF Hunter Pence, who played for the Giants from 2012 to 2018, is back to help a young team under manager Gabe Kapler. Pence was an All-Star last season with the Texas Rangers, batting .297 with 18 home runs in 83 games. He is on a one-year, $3 million contract.
“It’s definitely fun with a lot of new faces and a lot of new staff,” Pence said.
❚ The Giants have a No. 0 (OF Billy Hamilton) and No. 00 (first-base coach Antoan Richardson) in camp.
Washington Nationals
IF Carter Kieboom has taken copious notes through his career. The rookie is continuing to do so this spring as he tries to win the starting third-base job.
“We’re given so much information, and I’m constantly trying to improve my game,” Kieboom said.
❚ Ace RHP Max Scherzer threw two scoreless innings in his first start of the spring against the Houston Astros.