Debut for Bregman, Alvarez up in the air
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — There is no target date for Alex Bregman or Yordan Alvarez’s Grapefruit League debut, manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday.
Adamant throughout last week that both men are “progressing” in their buildup, Baker reiterated that the organization is bringing both stars along slowly.
“Our target is when their bodies, under the evaluations of our trainers, think they’re ready,” Baker said. “You can’t push them and then they go backward and they’ll start the season not ready. You can’t push it. We’ve got a long season ahead.”
While Bregman progressed to taking batting practice on the field late last week, Alvarez is not yet hitting on the field with his teammates. There is thought to be no new injury, just caution taken with the 23-year-old designated hitter following surgery on both knees last August. Last week, Alvarez said he feels better “than what people must assume.”
Bregman, meanwhile, is dealing with what Baker described as a “slight tweak” in his hamstring. He did not take infield practice with his teammates last week but did participate in batting practice on the field. Tuesday’s workout prior to the team’s Grapefruit League game against the Mets was closed to reporters.
Access for family on Greinke’s list
Zack Greinke did not enjoy the 2020 baseball season. Not many players did. Playing in empty stadiums and adhering to rigorous health and safety protocols sapped any normalcy from the season, taking many routineoriented players out of their comfort zones. Greinke called it “easily the least fun season” of his 17-year career.
Greinke’s only relief arrived in the American League Championship Series. When the Astros arrived in San Diego, Greinke and a few other teammates savored reunions with their families, all of which quarantined in a hotel in hopes Houston would advance to the World Series in Arlington. Greinke saw his two young sons. Josh Reddick saw his twin boys. Dustin Garneau saw his three sons.
“One of the best parts about being able to play still now is I could bring my kid to the field and he could watch games and work out with him in the clubhouse and stuff,” Greinke said Monday. “Last year, families weren’t allowed to do anything, and it kind of made everything not as enjoyable.”
Greinke’s oldest son recently started playing T-ball. At 37, Greinke knows his time in the major leagues is dwindling. Sharing some memories with both boys at the ballpark — ones his sons will remember long into adulthood — appears at the top of his priority list.
In non-pandemic times, children are a normal sight in the clubhouse, roaming around before or after the game while their dads go to work. Former Astros catcher Robinson Chirinos even brought his 11-year-old son, David, on a few road trips. Father and son often took ground balls and batting practice together in the outfield before games.
It’s unknown if families will be allowed more access into ballparks or clubhouses during the regular season. MLB has given families access to COVID-19 testing while playing during the pandemic, but the return of fans in some parks might also signal a return of families into clubhouses.
“It brings a lot of joy to me and other parents that have kids and are still in the major leagues,” Greinke said. “The kids thing is the greatest thing. I hope I get to do that this year some.”