AL CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox
Slimmed-down Avisail Garcia got off to a hot start, going 9for-19 (.474) with a triple and a home run in his first four games.
The 25-year-old right fielder changed his diet after a disappointing 2016 season in which he hit .245/.307/.385 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) with 12 home runs in 120 games.
“I feel great. I feel light,” Garcia said. “Last year, it was steak, then chicken, then steak, then steak, then steak. This year, it’s been steak, then fish, then fish, then fish. I don’t want to get fat.”
Garcia also has cut down his swing to concentrate on making more consistent contact. “He’s not trying to hit homers; he’s just trying to have good at-bats,” manager Rick Renteria said. uRight- handed reliever Jake Petricka strained a back muscle pitching on opening day and was placed on the disabled list. Renteria said Petricka would “be out for a bit.” Righty Tommy Kahnle was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte to replace Petricka, who was limited to nine games last season before having surgery to repair an impingement in his right hip. uRight- hander Mike Pelfrey and outfielder Ryan Raburn were signed and assigned to Charlotte. Pelfrey was released by the Detroit Tigers late in spring training, and the Cincinnati Reds let Raburn go.
Cleveland Indians
Two members of the starting lineup could be activated from the disabled list this week. Right fielder Lonnie Chisen
hall (sprained right shoulder) began a rehab assignment April 7 with Class AAA Columbus (Ohio). He went 5-for-8 with a double in his first two games. Second baseman Jason Kip
nis, hampered this spring by right shoulder soreness, joined Class AA Akron (Ohio) on Sunday for a rehab assignment. Kipnis was limited to five at-bats during spring training. Switch-hitter Abraham Al
monte has been subbing for left-handed-hitting Chisenhall as part of the right-field platoon with Brandon Guyer. Jose Ramirez, slated to be the regular third baseman, has played second in Kipnis’ absence and rookie Yandy Diaz has been playing third.
uRight- hander Trevor Bauer lost his season debut April 8 at the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up four runs and seven hits in 52⁄ innings. However, manager 3
Terry Francona was pleased with the outing.
“I thought he had life on his fastball, good breaking ball,” Francona said. “If he throws the ball like that, he will be just fine.”
uDesignated hitter-first baseman Carlos Santana made the first start in right field of his eightyear career April 7 against the Diamondbacks. Francona wanted to get Santana into the lineup even though there’s no DH in an interleague game in a National League park.
Detroit Tigers
Jordan Zimmermann had an encouraging season debut.
The right-hander beat the Boston Red Sox on April 8, allowing one run and four hits in six innings. His first season with the Tigers last year was ruined by a strained neck that led to two disabled list stints after he was signed to a five-year, $110 million contract in free agency.
Zimmermann won all five April starts last season with a 0.55 ERA but went 4-7 with a 6.84 ERA in 14 games the rest of the way. He pitched four times after his first DL stint began July 4.
“Everything feels good. Neck is great,” Zimmermann said.
Zimmermann was 70-50 with a 3.32 ERA in seven seasons with the Washington Nationals before signing with the Tigers.
uLeft- handed reliever Kyle Ryan ended a long day April 8 by pitching one scoreless inning upon his return from the paternity list. Ryan’s scheduled flight the previous night from Tampa to Detroit was canceled. He was forced to fly to Columbus, Ohio, early in the morning, then travel 214 miles by car service to Comerica Park. uRight fielder J.D. Martinez (sprained right foot) started swinging a bat April 7 for the first time since being injured three weeks earlier.
Kansas City Royals
While Jason Vargas didn’t have to wait long to get his first win of 2017, it was a long time coming. The left-hander won at the Houston Astros on April 7, allowing one run in six innings with six strikeouts. It was first win since June 8, 2015.
Vargas made only one more start that season before having Tommy John elbow surgery. He returned late last season and did not factor in any decisions in three starts.
“I don’t know that I was ever worried if I was going to get another win or another loss,” Vargas said. “It’s just a waiting game in rehab. It’s always sounds so far removed on the telecasts when they say your last win was in June of 2015. It wasn’t that you were unable to get a win, you just didn’t have an opportunity.”
uThird baseman Mike Moustakas went 8-for-23 (.348) with three home runs in his first six games. He was limited to “Opening day here, it’s a state holiday, so we’ll take a win any way we can get it.” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, after a 6-5 victory against the Boston Red Sox in Detroit’s home opener April 7 27 games last season because of thumb and knee injuries.
uRight-handed reliever Seth Maness began the season on the disabled list at Class AAA Omaha (Papillion, Neb.) while recovering from elbow surgery. He pitched in 244 games for the St. Louis Cardinals over the previous four seasons but was not tendered a contract in the offseason.
Minnesota Twins
The Twins opened the season 4-0 for the first time since 1987, a year they won the World Series.
Though it is hard to envision the Twins reaching the Fall Classic this year, the strong start was welcome after their 59-103 record last season was the worst in the major leagues.
“Everybody’s not walking on eggshells,” right-hander reliever
Ryan Pressly said. “We’re going to keep this going, and it’s going to be a fun year.”
Left fielder Max Kepler said, “We don’t care who’s standing across from us. We’re going to go out there and take what’s ours.”
The Twins finished under .500 in five of the previous six seasons, losing at least 92 games each time.
uJoe Mauer sat out the fourth game of the season, and manager Paul Molitor plans to give the 33-year-old first baseman regular rest to keep him fresh. The three-time AL batting champion has slumped the last three seasons, hitting a combined .267/ .353/.380 with 25 home runs. uLeft- handed reliever Ryan
O’Rourke (elbow) did not come off the disabled list April 9 when eligible and is unlikely to return soon. He won’t start a throwing program until the pain is gone and will go on a minor league rehab assignment.