Frazier would like to defend HR Derby title
HOUSTON — Cubs stars Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo don’t want to participate in the Home Run Derby as part of All- Star Game festivities, something White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier says is too bad.
‘‘ I hope Bryant goes in there,’’ Frazier said. ‘‘ That would be like the first [ Cubs- Sox] battle before we get going.’’
Frazier was alluding to what will be his first Sox- Cubs interleague series July 25- 28. The reigning Home Run Derby champion is tied with Bryant for second in the majors behind the Orioles’ Mark Trumbo with 23 homers and hopes to be invited to participate again.
With his .204 average and the Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson, the Orioles’ Manny Machado and the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre leading a stacked group of American Leaguers at his position, Frazier likely will be a long shot to make the All- Star Game on July 12 in San Diego. But he definitely wants to participate in the Home Run Derby on July 11.
‘‘ Some people don’t like it, but I enjoy that kind of stuff,’’ Frazier said.
Bryant said the event last year was so long and tiring that ‘‘ I felt it the next day.’’ Some players, including Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, think such events have an adverse effect on their swings. Not Frazier. ‘‘ In batting practice . . . what does everyone usually do the last round? Try and hit home runs,’’ Frazier said. ‘‘ So if that’s the case, their swing is already messed up, right?
‘‘ We all do it. It’s just more swings like that [ in a contest] than not. It’s more of an excuse.’’
Morneau ready for next step
Designated hitter/ first baseman Justin Morneau ( surgery on left elbow) will begin a minor- league rehab stint Monday at Class AAA Charlotte. Morneau, who signed a one- year, $ 1 million deal with incentives last month, said he has felt good airing it out in batting practice with the Sox in Houston.
‘‘ I’m sure I’ll be nervous to be out there and let it fly in a game, but it will be interesting,’’ he said.
Shields’ rebound
Right- hander James Shields, who will face the Yankees on Monday at U. S. Cellular Field, has strung together two acceptable starts after a streak of four horrible ones. He seems to have found his footing again and said he never lost faith in himself.
‘‘ You don’t want to have those kind of outings, for sure,’’ Shields said. ‘‘ But I believed in myself and what I’m capable of doing. I’ve been in similar ruts — not that bad of one — in my career, but you just kind of move forward.’’
Shields held the Twins to one run in 6⅔ innings in his last start.
‘‘ It was probably a little bit of everything,’’ he said of getting shelled in his last start with the Padres and first three with the Sox. ‘‘ Getting behind in the count, not hitting my spots and not locating my fastball were big factors.
‘‘ Luck has a lot to do with it, also. You can throw batting practice behind the L screen and not give up some of the hits I was giving up. It’s just the way the game goes sometimes.’’