Spring training notes by John Perrotto
Chicago Cubs
Kyle Hendricks might hardpressed to top his 2016 season.
His 2.13 ERA led the major leagues as he had a 16-8 record and 0.98 WHIP (walks plus hits allowed per inning pitched) in 31 games, all but one a start. Hendricks allowed one run in nine innings in two World Series starts.
He is getting noticed away from the park more than in the past. The 27-year-old also is drawing more news media attention.
“It’s a little weird,” Hendricks said. “It’s definitely different from this time last year. Not nearly as much hype for me then. Things have changed a little, but it’s all for the good.”
Third baseman Kris Bryant, last year’s NL MVP, signed a one-year contract worth $1.05 million, a record for an unsigned player with two years of experience. Outfielder Mike Trout got $1 million from the Los Angeles Angels in 2014. Bryant’s salary last season was $652,000.
Cincinnati Reds
For the second consecutive year, Anthony DeSclafani was set to make the first opening-day start of his career. But it seems certain that the right-hander will start the season on the disabled list, as he did in 2016.
DeSclafani was scratched March 6 from his first scheduled start of the spring because of a sore elbow. Reds general manager
Dick Williams said Monday that DeSclafani will be shut down for up to a month with a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament.
“He felt a little different than he did previously,” Williams said. “There was more cause for concern.”
A strained side muscle sidelined DeSclafani for the first 21⁄ 2 months of last season. He wound up making 20 starts and went 9-5 with a 3.28 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
Right- hander Bronson Arroyo made his Cactus League debut Sunday and pitched two scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers after being slowed by the flu. The 40-year-old veteran has not pitched in the majors since 2014 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he had Tommy John elbow surgery that year.
Milwaukee Brewers
Though he reported to spring training healthy, star left fielder
Ryan Braun did not see his first game action until Friday.
Braun spent much of recent spring trainings rehabbing from injuries, which limited his playing time. He found that he needed 25 to 30 plate appearances in exhibition games to get ready for the season, and he’s sticking to that plan.
“We’re here for a long time — as everybody knows, way too long for position players,” Braun says. “So there’s no reason to get extra at-bats and play extra games just for the purpose of doing it.
“At some point I tried to get a few less at-bats, play a few less innings and see how I felt, and I felt a lot better to start the season.” Right- hander Devin Williams, the Brewers’ secondround draft pick in 2013, was expected to have an MRI this week on his sore elbow. The 22year-old is slated to begin the season in high Class A.
Pittsburgh Pirates
It seems unlikely that third baseman Jung Ho Kang will be available for the April 3 opener against the Red Sox in Boston.
The Pirates placed Kang on the restricted list Saturday when he had yet to report to spring training. Kang was attempting to secure a work visa in his native South Korea after receiving a suspended two-year prison sentence March 2. He was charged in December with driving under the influence.
“We need to get him (to Florida) to prepare for the season,” team President Frank Coonelly said.
Veteran David Freese likely will be the starter at third until Kang joins the team.
Right- hander Casey Sadler is expected to see his first game action this weekend. He missed last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
St. Louis Cardinals
First baseman Matt Carpenter is hopeful of being a two- way player again by the weekend.
First, Carpenter was cleared to play in games last week after sitting out with a stiff lower back.
While he was given the OK to play defense, doctors advised him not to swing when he was up to bat, though he had a bunt single against an infield shift.
Carpenter is expected to start hitting by the end of the week. He wants to see as much time as possible at first base this spring, as he has been primarily a second baseman and third baseman during his five-year career.
“This is a new position for him on an everyday basis,” manager Mike Matheny said. “To get out there and have the game speed, it’s really important.”
Jordan Schafer’s bid to make the team as a hybrid reserve outfielder/reliever took a hit last week when he had right forearm tightness. He spent last season in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system.