Cano likes moves made by ex-agent-turned Mets GM
shut down last week because his arm “didn’t feel right.”
Miami Marlins
Victor Victor Mesa will start the season in the minor leagues, but the 22-year-old outfielder has been the mostwatched player in camp.
The Cuban was signed to a $5.25 million bonus in the offseason. Until the start of the Grapefruit League season, Mesa had not played in a game in nearly two years while waiting to be cleared to sign with a major league team.
However, on Feb. 24, Mesa strained his right hamstring in a spring training game.
❚ Catcher Jorge Alfaro had a scare during the exhibition opener when he collided with the dugout railing while chasing a foul ball and fell down the steps. Alfaro left the game but was not seriously injured.
Milwaukee Brewers
Right-hander Chase Anderson was not part of the postseason rotation last year after going 9-8 with a 3.93 ERA in 30 starts. Though he is not bitter about the snub, he has used it as motivation in preparing for this season.
“That kind of fueled me in the offseason,” Anderson said. “It’s kind of been my lifespan in baseball. I’ve been the underdog a little bit.”
In 2017, Anderson was 12-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 25 starts.
❚ Outfielder Corey Ray hit 27 home runs last season for Class AA Biloxi (Mississippi). He picked up where he left in the exhibition opener with a homer and a double.
New York Mets
Now that he is settling in after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a trade in December, second baseman Robinson Cano likes what he sees of his new team. Cano was one of many acquisitions made by new general manager Van Wagenen. Lowrie’s
Philadelphia Phillies
Brodie Jed
Andrew McCutchen was honest when a reporter asked why he signed with the Phillies as a free agent in the offseason.
“See what they offered me?” McCutchen said with a grin before adding, “there’s a lot that went into it, that being one of them. It just felt like it was the right thing.”
McCutchen, who signed a three-year, $50 million deal, is one of three new starters in the lineup. Catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop Jean Segura were acquired in trades over the winter.
❚ Third baseman Trevor Plouffe was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp. He played in seven games with the Phillies last year and is a .242 career hitter in nine seasons.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Adam Frazier is getting a chance to be the everyday second baseman after spending his first three major league seasons as a utility player.
Frazier is replacing two-time All-Star Josh Harrison, who became a free agent when the Pirates did not exercise the 2019 option in his contract. Frazier has made 95 of his 185 career starts at second base.
“I think it helps anybody coming to the yard every day and knowing where you’re going to be,” Frazier said.
❚ Left-hander Steven Brault pitched two scoreless innings against the Phillies in the Grapefruit League opener. He is competing with right-handers Rookie Davis, Nick Kingham and Jordan Lyles for the fifth starter’s spot.
St. Louis Cardinals
Dexter Fowler is trying to bounce back following a tough 2018.
The right fielder hit just .180 with eight home runs and a .278 on-base percentage in 90 games. He has a .262 batting average and .360 OBP over his 11year career.
Fowler will bat second in the lineup after hitting sixth or seventh most of last season.
“I’m accustomed to being in the top of the lineup,” Fowler said. “I’ve always been a guy who’s tried to get on base.”
❚ Outfielder-first baseman Jose Martinez signed a twoyear, $3.25 million deal that buys out his first year of eligibility for salary arbitration. He had been the subject of trade rumors during the offseason.
San Diego Padres
After winning a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox last season, second baseman Ian Kinsler is looking to stabilize a rebuilding team.
Kinsler was signed to a twoyear, $8 million contract as a free agent in the offseason. He had no reservations about joining a team that lost 96 games in 2018.
“I had some good opportunities all come together at the same time, but I felt like this was a really good fit for me and just jumped on it,” Kinsler said.
❚ Free agent Manny Machado was hoping to continue playing shortstop. However, he agreed to move back to third base after signing a 10-year, $300 million contract last week with the Padres.
San Francisco Giants
One-time workhorse pitcher Madison Bumgarner has been limited to a combined 38 starts over the last two seasons because of injuries. Yet the lefthander said he did not feel an urgency to change his offseason routine.
Bumgarner did not start throwing until six weeks before spring training then first threw off a mound once he reported to camp. It’s a routine he learned from ex-teammate Matt Cain.
“If you’re using spring training to get ready for the season, then why not use it to get ready for the season,” Bumgarner said.
❚ Catcher Buster Posey will be eased into Cactus League games. He had surgery last August to repair a torn labrum in his hip.
Washington Nationals
Kurt Suzuki is back for his second stint with the Nationals and is excited about catching Curt Schilling, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin.
“You’ve got so many weapons to work with and also you don’t have to face those guys,” said Suzuki, who signed a twoyear, $10 million contract with Washington as a free agent in the offseason.
Suzuki will share time behind the plate with Yan Gomes, who was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Indians.
❚ Max Scherzer is opposed to the 20-second pitch clock instituted by MLB for exhibition games, saying “there’s no clock in baseball and there’s no clock in baseball for a reason.”