Spring training notes by John Perrotto
Arizona Diamondbacks
Brandon Drury showed his versatility as a rookie last season by making starts at second base, third base and both outfield corners while logging one inning as a reserve at first base.
But Drury won’t be a jack of all trades this season. He will be the primary second baseman after the offseason trade of Jean Segura to the Seattle Mariners.
“It is a position where you’ve got to be athletic,” Drury said. “You’ve got to be light on your feet. You’ve got to turn double plays. You’re shifting all the time. There’s a lot of stuff going on.”
Regardless of where he played last year, Drury produced offensively, hitting .282/.329/.458 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) with 16 home runs in 134 games.
Socrates Brito will be out through at least the end of April after having surgery to repair a dislocated left ring finger. Candidates to fill his expected role as the fourth outfielder include Jeremy Hazelbaker, Gregor Blanco and Oswaldo Arcia.
Colorado Rockies
Ian Desmond, the Rockies’ biggest offseason acquisition, figures to begin the season on the disabled list after breaking his left hand March 12.
Desmond was injured when he was hit by a pitch from Cincinnati Reds rookie right-hander Rookie Davis. The Rockies signed Desmond to a five-year, $70 million contract in free agency to be their first baseman. “It’s a bummer,” manager Bud
Black said. “It’s a tough loss for us and a bad break for Ian. But at least it’s in spring. He’ll bounce back from this.” Mark Reynolds likely will replace Desmond in the lineup. The 10-year veteran was re-signed to a minor league contract Feb. 2 after hitting .282/.356/.450 with 14 home runs in 118 games in his first season with the Rockies.
Left fielder David Dahl will start the season on the DL with a stress reaction in his ribcage. He’ll be re-evaluated March 20. Veteran Gerardo Parra is taking Dahl’s place.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu took an encouraging step in his rehab from shoulder surgery by pitching two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels on March 11.
Ryu has pitched in one major league game since having surgery in May 2015. In his first two seasons, the South Korea native went a combined 28-15 with a 3.17 ERA in 2013 and 2014.
“As a starting pitcher, it was painful to not be on the mound,” Ryu, 29, said. “The most important thing is that I’m healthy. There’s a few more games that I’m probably going to pitch in spring training. So, if I just focus on each game at a time, I’m pretty sure good results will follow.”
The Dodgers are likely to keep Ryu in extended spring training when camp breaks. Outfielder Trayce Thompson went 0-for-3 in his Cactus League debut. His rookie season ended July 10 last year because of two stress fractures in his lower back.
San Diego Padres
Ryan Schimpf and Cory Spangenberg began spring training competing for the starting second baseman’s job. Now, that battle has shifted to third base.
Manager Andy Green thinks both profile better at the hot corner. Versatile Yangervis So
larte will shift to second base from third despite making 12 starts at that position in 2016.
“I really like Spangenberg at third base,” Green said. “Just watching him take ground balls, the more time he spends over there, he’s very instinctual and reacts quickly. And Ryan Schimpf, if you’re grading it out, he probably played a little better third base than second base last year.”
Schimpf ended up as the Padres’ primary second baseman last season when Spangenberg suffered a thigh injury. Schimpf did not commit an error in 14 appearances at third base.
Right- hander Colin Rea was cleared to begin playing catch this week. He had Tommy John elbow surgery in November.
San Francisco Giants
Buster Posey had another fine season in 2016, being selected to his fourth All-Star Game while batting .288/.362/.434 with 14 home runs in 146 games.
The lack of his usual power was a concern for the eighthyear catcher.
“You feel worn down at the end of every year regardless if you have power numbers or not,” Posey said when asked if fatigue might have been a factor. “You usually feel a little bit better when you are hitting a few more homers. I’m looking forward to getting it after this year.” The Giants signed Nick Hun
dley to back up Posey. But manager Bruce Bochy says it’s hard to take Posey out of the lineup.
Right- hander Kyle Crick, once considered a top prospect, is a reliever this spring. The 24-year-old spent his third consecutive season at Class AA Richmond (Va.) last year, going 4-11 with a 5.04 ERA in 23 starts.