❚ Spring training team notes,
Baltimore Orioles
Left-hander Josh Rogers, acquired in the July in the trade that sent Zack Britton to the Yankees, is not concerned about a pitch clock. He believes his quick tempo is an advantage.
“I think I get every pitch off in five, six seconds. I know hitters hate it,” Rogers told BaltimoreBaseball.com. “I’ve got buddies that I face, old college teammates that I face. They say it’s the worst thing ever. Nick Solak from Tampa Bay, he makes a joke, ‘Your stuff’s no good, but you do that to throw people off.’ He gives me a hard time about it.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred has backed off adding a 20-second pitch clock for 2019 but it could come in the future.
❚ Catcher Chance Sisco hit four homers in his first eight atbats this spring, all against the Rays.
Boston Red Sox
While the roster is pretty well set, the closer’s job is up for grabs. But manager Alex Cora is not in a hurry to name his closer.
“Like I’ve been saying all along, we have people that are going to get people out late in games,” Cora told reporters. “We’ve just got to make sure everyone is healthy and ready to go for March 28 (opening day). If that’s the case, we’ll go one way or another, but I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do.”
Internal candidates include right-handers Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Heath Hembree, Tyler Thornburg and Brandon Workman. Thornburg has the most career saves of any of them (13).
AL MVP Mookie Betts began the spring 0-for-5 before recording his first hit March 3. He had two more hits in his next three at-bats. In 2018, he began spring training 0-for-16.
Chicago White Sox
Tim Anderson, the 17th overall pick in 2013, set career highs in several offensive categories last season, but average and OPS were not among them. Anderson worked on his timing during the offseason to boost those numbers. The early results have been positive, with seven hits, one homer and five RBI in his first 16 at-bats this spring. My batting average needs to be up and I expect more from myself,” Anderson told reporters.
“But I have been working a lot and I think those numbers are going to improve.” Right-hander Dane Dunning was examined by orthopedist James Andrews for forearm soreness. Dunning will rest and receive treatment before beginning a throwing program.
Cleveland Indians
If Hanley Ramirez, a nonroster invitee, wins a roster spot, likely as the designated hitter, that could cause other positional moves. Carlos Santana could then take the first base job with Jake Bauers moving to left field.
“We may not have been able to consider (adding Ramirez) if we couldn’t move somebody,” manager Terry Francona told reporters.
“Having some versatility is really important . ... Most good teams have one of those guys and it kind of saves you.” ❚ Shortstop Francisco Lindor, who strained his right calf on Jan. 31, remains on schedule to be ready for opening day.
Detroit Tigers
It’s been a challenging spring so far for left-hander Daniel
Norris. He’s been dealing with an illness and some shakiness on the mound, including a 32pitch first inning against the Yankees on March 3, after reporting to spring training in his best shape in several years.
“It seems like all for naught,” Norris told MLB.com.
Norris has been working on his fastball, which has been around 90 mph in his first two outings, but he gave up three homers on fastballs in 11⁄2 innings to the Yankees. ❚ Niko Goodrum, vying for the second base job, had eight hits with two homers and six RBI in his first 15 spring at-bats.
Houston Astros
The night before his first game since the ALCS, following right elbow surgery in January,
Alex Bregman dreamed he would be hit by a pitch. Because of that premonition, he borrowed Alex De Goti’s elbow guard for the March 2 game against the Mets. Good thing, too. In his third plate appearance he was hit by a pitch from Jeurys Familia.
“De Goti saved my life today,” Bregman told reporters. “It’s bruised right now. It’s a bigger bruise right now than I had all of surgery.”
Shortstop Carlos Correia, hindered by lower back issues last season, said he is feeling much better this spring and is