Giolito seeking 2nd opinion on elbow
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito will be headed to Alabama for a second opinion on his ailing right elbow.
Manager Alex Cora told reporters on Wednesday that Giolito will head to Birmingham on Monday to talk with Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas as they explore treatment options, including surgery.
Giolito signed a $38.5 million, two-year deal with the Red Sox this offseason. He made two starts in spring training, throwing two scoreless innings in his first outing before getting roughed up allowing four runs and three walks in 2 ⁄ innings against Minnesota last Friday. Giolito then reported the discomfort in his elbow.
Giolito was the first overall pick by Washington in the 2012 amateur draft, agreed to a $2,925,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut that Aug. 14 in the Gulf Coast League. That was his only appearance before Tommy John surgery on Aug. 31, 2012, with Dr. Lewis Yocum.
Angels get first look at Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani faced the Los Angeles Angels for the first time Tuesday in an exhibition, striking out twice and flying out as the Los Angeles Dodgers lost 4-0 to the two-way star’s former club.
The two-time AL MVP had reached base in his seven previous plate appearances before he struck out swinging against Chase Silseth in the first inning. Ohtani took a called third strike against minor league left-hander Tyler Thomas in the third, then flied to center versus right-hander Guillermo Zuñiga in the fifth.
Ohtani entered Wednesday 5 for 10 with a triple, homer and five RBIS in his first spring training after agreeing to a record $700 million, 10year contract.
Skenes will start season in minors
The Pirates are taking their time with top pitching prospect Paul Skenes.
General manager Ben Cherington said the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft will begin the season in the minors.
Cherington said there are still boxes the Pirates want Skenes to check before calling him up. Skenes pitched just 6 2⁄3 innings in the minors last summer after being selected by Pittsburgh. The 21-year-old has been impressive in two Grapefruit League appearances, allowing one run on three hits and three strikeouts so far this spring training.
Odds and ends
Outfielder Eddie Rosario and the Washington Nationals agreed to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training. The nine-year major league veteran spent the past two and a half seasons with the Braves . ... The Padres signed former Rangers shortstop Brad Miller to a minor league contract.