Daily Clips
February 28, 2017
LOCAL
Royals club 3 homers early; Salvy plates 4
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan & Greg Johns/MLB.com
Minor relishes scoreless spring appearance
Royals lefty looking to land bullpen spot for '17 season
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Colon making strong impression this spring
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Yost weighing options for second-base job
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals support Jason Vargas with three homers, crush the Seattle Mariners 14-3
February 27, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals manager Ned Yost says club could use rotation at second base
February 27, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Baseball’s answer to Usain Bolt, Terrance Gore still trying to prove he can do more
February 27, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Is it ever OK for a pitcher to throw a scuffed baseball?
February 27, 2017By Lee Judge/KC Star
NATIONAL
Chemically treated balls closer to use in Majors
February 27, 2017By Paul Hagen/MLB.com
Difficult personnel decisions await Moore
Core stars Hosmer, Moustakas, Cain, Escobar on verge of free agency
February 28, 2017By Joe Posnanski/MLB.com
Spotlight on the 2017 Royals
February 27, 2017By Peter Gammons/GammonsDaily.com
MLB TRANSACTIONS
February28, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Royals club 3 homers early; Salvy plates 4
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan & Greg Johns/MLB.com
An early start time didn't slow the Royals, as catcher Salvador Perez led an offensive onslaught against several of the Mariners' new pitching acquisitions in a 14-3 runaway on Monday at Peoria Stadium that was called after seven innings.
With rain in the afternoon forecast, the contest was moved up one hour, but that didn't help Mariners pitchers as the Royals ripped three homers and scored 11 runs in the first three innings.
Perez cranked out four RBIs with a homer and a double, while Paulo Orlando and Peter O'Brien also went deep. Perez now has eight RBIs in two Cactus League games. Left-hander Jason Vargas allowed four hits and three runs in two innings in his spring debut for the Royals.
"You want to be able to put yourself in situations that you're going to encounter during the season," Vargas said. "You either learn from things that happened or be able to put positive thoughts in your mind and into your memory bank."
Mariners starter Yovani Gallardo, acquired from the Orioles to bolster the rotation, allowed four runs on three hits, two walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch in a rough first frame. Lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski, the club's primary free-agent signee, didn't fare any better as he gave up six runs (five earned) on five hits with two home runs in the third.
"I'm glad we moved [the start time] up," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "Our guys got their pitches in. There were not a lot of great pitches made today early in the game, but it is early. Just one of those days."
Shortstop Jean Segura, the Mariners' biggest offseason addition, went 3-for-3 with a home run and a double, but Seattle suffered its first Cactus League loss after topping the Padres twice.
Up next for Royals: Watch live on MLB.TV or listen on Gameday Audio as left-hander Danny Duffy, probably the Royals' Opening Day starter, makes his first Cactus League start on Tuesday in Maryvale against the Brewers at 2:05 p.m. CT. It likely will be Duffy's only start before leaving to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic this weekend.
Up next for Mariners: Listen live on Gameday Audio as Felix Hernandez makes his Cactus League debut on Tuesday against the White Sox in Glendale at 12:05 p.m. PT. Hernandez will make two starts before joining Team Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic. Top starting prospects Andrew Moore and Dylan Unsworth are among those slated to throw in relief.
Minor relishes scoreless spring appearance
Royals lefty looking to land bullpen spot for '17 season
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
As far as most Spring Training games go, this one actually held some significance for left-hander Mike Minor.
Minor worked two scoreless innings in the Royals' 14-3 rain-shortened victory over the Mariners on Monday.
Minor hasn't pitched in a Major League game since 2014 with the Braves. He missed all of '15 recovering from a torn labrum muscle.
And Minor never got to the Royals' big-league club in 2016 after signing a two-year, $7.25 million deal last March. Minor kept having injury setbacks on his rehab assignments before finally being shut down for the season in August.
But now Minor, in the last year of his contract, is hoping to be a major contributor to the Royals' bullpen in 2017. Manager Ned Yost is hoping the same.
"I thought he looked good," Yost said, "with good life on his fastball."
Minor gave up one hit, walked none and struck out two.
"I think I'll get a little bit better," Minor said. "Some of my pitches were a little off. I got behind in some counts. But I'm OK with putting up the zeros.
"My changeup was up today. That was the only pitch that really got hit."
Minor admitted it felt great just to be pitching in a game again.
"For me, sure it was," Minor said. "I don't think I've even pitched in a Spring Training game in three years."
Signed as a potential starter, the Royals have shifted Minor to the bullpen in hopes he can be a potential setup man. Minor, 29, has relieved just once in his career.
It's an adjustment.
"Today wasn't that bad," he said. "But they also told me kind of when I would go out there. It wasn't like, 'Hey, you're up.'
"When you're starting, you have as much time as you want to get ready. But relieving, as soon as they call down, you got to be ready within a couple of hitters. I think that's going to be the toughest [adjustment]."
All things considered, Minor was satisfied with his spring debut.
"I put up zeros today, but I didn't have great stuff," he said. "That happens every spring, happens for most guys. But as the season progresses, it gets better."
Colon making strong impression this spring
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Not long after Royals second baseman Christian Colon doubled in his first Spring Training at-bat on Sunday, he was greeted in the dugout by his offseason workout partner, Alex Gordon.
"See, all that hard work is already paying off," Gordon told him. "What did it take you last year to get your first hit? Twenty-two at-bats?"
Actually, it took 24 at-bats last spring before Colon got his first hit.
"[Gordon's] right," Colon said, smiling. "That hard work is paying off."
Colon worked out all winter with Gordon back in Kansas City and lost close to 10 pounds while also strengthening his core muscles and improving his agility.
"I feel lighter and quicker," Colon said.
That already has transition to his game on the field. Colon's hit on Sunday was in the left-center gap but not deep. Still, Colon stretched it into a double when he just beat the throw into second base.
And, Colon slipped a bit coming out of the box, but he still beat the throw to second.
"Last year, that's a single," Colon said. "I don't even try going for two."
Colon, 27, is in a fight for the starting job at second base with Whit Merrifield, Raul Mondesi and possibly Cheslor Cuthbert. Colon was determined to give himself the best chance possible to win the job, which fueled his decision to work out with Gordon in the offseason.
"It is a big year for me," said Colon, who is out of options. "I want to prove to everyone I can contribute to helping this team win. That's what it's all about."
Colon's physical condition has caught the eye of manager Ned Yost.
"Without a doubt," Yost said. "He's moving around better. Looks like he is in the best shape I've seen him."
Colon has noticed the change in the field as well.
"I definitely feel quicker and more agile," Colon said. "I feel like I can get lower on ground balls and stay lower for a longer amount of time. That's the key to fielding ground balls. The longer you can stay lower, the better chance you have of fielding some bad hops."
Colon also turned a slick double play on Sunday, throwing across his body as he moved across the second-base bag to barely nip the runner at first.
"I think that's where all the core conditioning comes in," Colon said. "You need that core to make those throws. I really do feel good. I just have to keep doing my job now."
Yost weighing options for second-base job
February 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
For the first time since camp opened a couple of weeks ago, Royals manager Ned Yost suggested he may not have a full-time second baseman when the regular season starts.
The second-base job could remain fluid in April.
"We'll just see how it plays out because I have no preset opinion on who is going to be the Opening Day second baseman," Yost said. "The way I kind of see it, unless someone just runs and grabs it, it's probably going to be that whoever is going to be the Opening Day second baseman probably won't be the everyday second baseman."
Interestingly, Yost, at least for now, may view the second-base job like his DH spot -- as a floating position among several players.
The second-base battle is among Christian Colon, Whit Merrifield, Cheslor Cuthbert and Raul Mondesi.
"It could be [Colon] playing there one day, Cuthbert playing there one day," Yost said. "You just don't know how it will play out.
"You got Merrifield, who could play some second. Mondi could end up being the second base guy. Colon could be the guy. You just don't know."
It is a competition that will intensify as camp continues.
"After [Spring Training] we'll know a little more," Yost said. "But we're going to move guys around early [in the season], too. We'll move guys because we'll have to take it easy with [Mike Moustakas] early, so that opens up some playing time for Cuthbert at third.
"But we'll just see how it plays out."
Royals support Jason Vargas with three homers, crush the Seattle Mariners 14-3
February 27, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Five months after making his return from Tommy John surgery, Jason Vargas made his spring debut on Monday, allowing three runs in two innings in the Royals’ 14-3 thrashing of the Seattle Mariners at the Peoria Sports Complex.
The game was moved up an hour and shortened to seven innings as an afternoon rainstorm hit the area. The Royals improved to 2-1 in the Cactus League.
Vargas returned to the mound for the first time since allowing three runs in 12 innings in three starts last September. He gave up a single to former Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson and an RBI double to Jean Segura in the first inning, then surrendered a two-run homer to Segura in the bottom of the second. Vargas was still pleased to get through the work.
“I would have liked to have not given up a homer or given up those runs,” Vargas said. “But at the same time, it’s moving forward toward the season.
“You want to be able to put yourself in situations that you’re going to encounter during the season, and either learn from things that happened or be able to put positive thoughts in your mind.”
Vargas struck out one while issuing two walks. His performance turned into a footnote after the Royals’ offense bludgeoned the Mariners pitching staff for 14 runs in seven innings.
Salvador Perez finished 2 for 3, clubbing his second homer of the spring, and had four RBIs. In two games, Perez is 4 for 5 with two homers. Designated hitter Peter O’Brien also notched his second homer, a booming, opposite-field shot to right-center. Paulo Orlando opened the power display with a deep shot to left field in the top of the second.
The Royals did much of the damage against Mariners starter Yovani Gallardo, who departed after allowing four runs. They poured on the offense in the third, scoring six runs against reliever Marc Rzepczynski.
The arms
Left-hander Mike Minor began his quest to earn a bullpen spot on Monday, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings.
A former starter with the Atlanta Braves, Minor was making his first spring appearance since the 2013 season. A series of shoulder issues, including surgery for a torn labrum, derailed his career in 2015 and limited him to minor-league rehab duty in 2016.
In his second season with the Royals, he’s seeking to reinvigorate his career in the bullpen. On Monday, Minor’s fastball sat in the low 90s. He drew high marks from manager Ned Yost.
“I have to try to hold it back a little so I can try and throw strikes,” Minor said. “I thought I could reach back and dig down a couple of times, but I got too far behind the count at times. I didn’t want to get behind in the count, especially with a big lead.”
Reliever Joakim Soria averted early disaster in the second inning, working out of a bases-loaded jam. The inning began with two singles and a hit batter. But Soria responded by striking out Seattle’s Taylor Motter and induced a 5-2 force-out at home. He ended the inning by coaxing a ground-out from center fielder Leonys Martin.
The regulars
Brandon Moss, a candidate to begin the season as the club’s designated hitter, finished the afternoon 2 for 3 after starting the game in left field.
Cheslor Cuthbert made his first start at second base and dropped a pop-up on the infield. The misplay came with runners at first and second, which put the infield fly rule into effect. But Cuthbert conceded that he felt some nerves while making his first Cactus League appearance at second.
“I was kind of nervous starting the game,” Cuthbert said. “That’s OK; I’ll get better.”
The young guys
Bubba Starling replaced Lorenzo Cain in center field and finished 1 for 2 with a single to left-center in the sixth. Jorge Bonifacio subbed for Moss in left field and recorded a double.
Royals manager Ned Yost says club could use rotation at second base
February 27, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
As spring training began, the Royals’ competition at second base included four players and plenty of uncertainty. Here’s another layer: Manager Ned Yost said Monday that the club may consider a rotation at the spot when the season begins.
“I’ve got no preset opinion on who’s going to be the opening day second baseman,” Yost said. “And the way I kind of see it, unless somebody just runs and grabs it, it’s probably going to be (that) whoever is the opening day second baseman is not going to be the everyday second baseman.”
As Yost sat in his office Monday morning, he stressed that the situation is fluid. The competition remains in its infant stages and the club will make decisions based on a full spring training. But it’s possible the team could be looking for the best combination of players at the position.
For now, the competition features Whit Merrifield, Christian Colon, Raul Mondesi and Cheslor Cuthbert, who has limited experience at the position. Colon and Cuthbert do not have options remaining, meaning they must be put through waivers to be sent to the minor leagues. Merrifield and Mondesi have options left.
Cuthbert made his first spring start at second base in a 14-3 victory Monday over the Mariners. He had few opportunities on defense, though he did drop one infield pop-up with runners at first and second. The infield fly rule rendered the misplay as meaningless.
Cuthbert, though, could be valuable in April because the club plans to allocate extra rest for starting third baseman Mike Moustakas, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury.
“We’re going to have to build in some recovery days,” Yost said. “So that opens up some playing time for Cuthbert at third.”
Merrifield and Colon also have the ability to play third base. And in the early days of camp, Merrifield has showcased his versatility, moving all around the diamond. On Monday, he subbed for Eric Hosmer at first base. For now, the battle at second continues.
“It’s a good group of candidates,” Yost said. “We’re not going to go wrong any way we go.”
Butera will rest for a couple days
Reserve catcher Drew Butera is expected to miss a couple of more days while recovering from what Yost called a minor Grade 1 strain of his left oblique.
Butera first experienced tightness in the oblique after being struck in the side by a fastball in the dirt last week. He was scratched from a start on Sunday and sat out again Monday. Yost has described the rest as precautionary.