National League spring training notes
Arizona Diamondbacks
Ketel Marte has a new position this year.
The former middle infielder will be the regular center fielder. He takes the place of A.J. Pollock, who signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agent.
“It’s a hard position to play but from an instincts standpoint, from an intelligence standpoint, from a raw ability standpoint, athleticism and speed, he has those things,” general manager Mike Hazen said.
Signed to a six-year, $68.5 million contract prior to the 2015 season, outfielder Yasmany
Tomas spent last season in the minor leagues. The Diamondbacks are trying the Cuban at first base this spring to see if he could help replace the traded Paul Goldschmidt.
Atlanta Braves
Touki Toussaint had a rough second outing as he competes with left-hander Luiz Gohara and right-handers
Mike Soroka and Kyle Wright for the fifth starter’s job.
The 22-year-old right-hander was rocked for five runs in one inning by the Detroit Tigers on Feb. 28. The rookie debuted with the Braves late last season, going 2-1 with a 4.03 ERA in seven games, including five starts.
“That’s all spring training is for,” Touissant said. “I made some pitches and they hit ‘em. I threw everything I wanted for strikes. I felt good.”
Wright, the fifth overall selection in the 2017 amateur draft from Vanderbilt, pitched two scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut.
Chicago Cubs
Cole Hamels is 35 and his eight-year, $173 million contract expires at the end of the year. However, the left-hander isn’t thinking about retirement.
Hamels wants to play until 45. In attempt to reach that goal, he changed his winter workout routine, including hiring a “posture specialist.”
“It takes a couple of years for us to realize what we can and cannot do,” said Hamels, who was teammates while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies with lefty Jamie Moyer, who pitched until he was 49. Another lefty, Jose Quintana, had a strong first start in the Cactus League, holding the Diamondbacks scoreless for two innings March 1.
Cincinnati Reds
Yasiel Puig is fitting in well with his new team. The Reds acquired the dynamic right fielder from the Dodgers in a trade.
Perhaps it helps that Puig’s favorite color is red.
“I’ve known him forever,” said left fielder Matt Kemp, who was acquired with Puig. “It’s fun, it’s entertaining. You get a lot of laughs out of it. He keeps everybody loose and keeps everybody wondering what he’s going to do next.”
Right-hander Sonny Gray has been slowed by elbow stiffness but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. He was acquired from the New York Yankees in an offseason trade and signed to a fouryear, $38 million extension.
Colorado Rockies
Jon Gray cut his long hair last week and started wearing a Mohawk-style haircut.
The right-hander is looking for a fresh start after going 12-9 with a 5.12 ERA in 31 starts. Gray pitched three scoreless innings against the Cubs in a Cactus League game March 1 after the haircut.
“It felt efficient, it felt like I was getting strike one, attacking the zone, not picking around the zone so much,” Gray said. “I was just going after guys and throwing every pitch for strikes.” Third baseman Nolan Arenado built a safeguard into his eight-year, $260-million extension. He can opt out of the contract following the 2021 season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers could be without three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw for the start of the season as the staff ace begins to rebuild from shoulder soreness that caused him to shut down his spring training, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged. The Dodgers oopen March 28 against Arizona.
“The No. 1 thing is for him to be ready and to feel confident physically and mentally,” Roberts said.
Kershaw has made a franchise-record eight consecutive opening day starts.
Right-hander Julio Urias has looked healthy this spring and could win a rotation spot after missing the first 5 ½ months of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery.