Spring training contests begin
Ichiro picks up a hit in contest vs. the A’s; Boston gets victory
The sun came out in Arizona. Free agents played for their new teams. Ichiro Suzuki was back in uniform at age 45.
Baseball is back.
A day after the scheduled exhibition opener was rained out, baseball returned to the ballparks of Florida and Arizona on Friday with the first spring training games.
The World Series champion Boston Red Sox began their hoped-for journey to a second straight title with a 6-0 victory over Northeastern University. The Phillies — still without Bryce Harper, at least for now — beat Tampa Bay 3-2. The Tigers topped Southeastern University of Florida 12-2. Suzuki started what may be his final spring training with a two-run, two-out single in the third inning of the Seattle Mariners’ 8-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.
“It’s a good start to spring training,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after dispatching the Huskies in the regularly scheduled seven innings in a tight 1 hour, 45 minutes, a day before the Grapefruit League opener against the New York Yankees. “It will be good to start playing” against major league teams.
Spring training has long been seen as the unofficial end to winter, but that was postponed when the Mariners and Athletics were rained out of their opener on Thursday. The teams, which got the early start in order to prepare for the regular-season opener in Japan — were back at it on Friday.
Ichiro prepared with the Mariners for his 19th major league season (to go with nine in Japan). Batting seventh and playing left field, Suzuki fouled out in the second inning against Liam Hendriks and singled in the third off left-hander Ryan Buchter. Suzuki then was replaced by a pinch runner. He did not have any chances in the field.
Many other big name stars sat out as they eased into the daily grind.
Manny Machado slipped on a Padres uniform after signing his $300 million, 10-year contract; San Diego opens its spring training schedule on Saturday.
Harper was hoping for a similar deal, with the Phillies the favorites to sign him. But he remained among more than three dozen free agents who had not yet been signed, leading players to accuse teams of possible collusion. (The owners say they simply are making judgments based on analytics.)
Mets: An MRI of Jed Lowrie’s left knee was negative, and the New York Mets said the infielder, while behind schedule, is likely to be ready for opening day. yankees: The Yankees never talked dollars with Manny Machado when he visited New York with agent Dan Lozano in December. “The free agency process leads people to where they belong, and Manny belongs in San Diego at this time of his career,” Cashman said Friday, a day after the Padres and Machado finalized a $300 million, 10-year deal. “We had some interest in him. That’s why we spent some time engaging Dan Lozano during the process. We certainly had a good meet and greet. I really enjoyed the company of Manny and his wife.” And don’t expect New York to pursue Bryce Harper. “Regardless of who the next big free agent is and where they ultimately sign, the message from my perspective as general manager of this club for a long time is we like our club,” Cashman said. “We’ve got a special group of people. We’re one of the teams that I think have a legitimate shot to do something like be the last team standing and celebrating.” Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw has been shut down indefinitely because manager Dave Roberts says the Dodgers ace “didn’t feel right” after two discouraging outings on the mound. Kershaw worked out indoors Friday at Camelback Ranch, but didn’t play catch. Roberts wouldn’t speculate on the left-hander’s next bullpen session. reds: Sonny Gray has stiffness in his right elbow and was scratched from his scheduled start in the Reds’ spring training opener against the Indians on Saturday. Gray experienced stiffness after a bullpen session on Monday. The Reds said he is not being sent for an MRI. twins: A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that versatile Marwin Gonzalez and Minnesota have agreed to a $21 million, two-year contract. white Sox: A person familiar with the situation says the White Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran right-hander Ervin Santana. Notes: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Bo Tucker and free agent pitcher Joshua Payne have been suspended for 50 games each under baseball’s minor league drug program following second positive tests for drugs of abuse. ... A 20-second pitch clock will be phased in in three stages during spring training, with the start of ball/strike penalties depending on negotiations with the players’ association. Major League Baseball said Friday that the pitch clock will not be enforced this weekend and that beginning early next week umpires will issue reminders to batters and pitchers who violate the clock. MLB did not give a date for when it might start ball/ strike penalties.