AMERICAN LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING 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.

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 at bats 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.

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.

❚ 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 non roster 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.

❚ 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.

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 1 1 / 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.

❚ Shortstop Carlos Correia, hindered by lower back issues last season, said he is feeling much better this spring and is happy with the power he’s been able to generate at the plate. He has cut back on everything from swings to how many sprints he runs in hopes fewer reps will lead to better health in September and October.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Bubba Starling was the fifth overall pick in 2011 but who was dropped from the 40-man roster this offseason before rejoining the Royals on a minor league contract. He is looking to make an impact this spring and has been happy with the early results, thanks in part to a new plate approach.

❚ Right-hander Drew Storen threw a scoreless inning on March 2 against the Mariners in his first appearance following owing Tommy John surgery in September 2017.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

With back-to-back homers off Oakland’s Marco Estrado on March 3, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols recorded their first homers of the spring.

❚ Pujols enters the season 18 RBI shy of 2,000 for his career. He would become the fourth player all-time to reach the milestone since 1900, joining Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Alex Rodriguez.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Michael Pineda made his first appearance on March 1 after joining the Twins as a free agent in December. He hasn’t appeared in a major league game since July 5, 2017, sidelined by Tommy John surgery and then a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered during his rehab.

2011, Pineda, 30, has only managed to make 117 big-league starts since then during an injury-riddled career.

❚ All-Star Jose Berrios will be Minnesota’s opening day starter, the first such assignment for the 24-year-old righthander.

NEW YORK YANKEES

After the Yankees hit seven homers in split-squad games on March 3, Aaron Judge made a bold prediction.

The Yankees hit a major league-record 267 homers in 2018. Last season, injuries that limited Judge to 112 games, Gary Sanchez to 89 and Greg Bird to 82.

❚ Right-hander Danny Farquhar faced six Pittsburgh batters on March 2 in his first game action since suffering a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm in the dugout while with the White Sox on April 20, 2018. He retired one of six Pirates batters. “I’ve never been high-fived so much giving up five runs in my career,” Farquhar said with a smile.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

With the departure of Jed Lowrie, manager Bob Melvin must find someone for the third spot in the lineup. Candidates include right-handed hitters Matt Chapman and Stephen Piscotty, left-handed hitting Matt Olson and switch hitter Jurickson Profar.

❚ Designated hitter Khris Davis has been slowed by a left calf strain this spring. Davis leads all players with 133 homers since the start of 2016, including a major league-best 48 last season.

SEATTLE MARINERS

Felix Hernandez, coming off the worst season of his career and entering the final season of a seven-year, $175 million deal, may be relying more on his curveball this season. Last season opponents hit .199 against his curve, compared to .320 on his two-seamer, the pitch he threw the most.

❚ Infielders Shed Long, Dylan Moore and Kristopher Negron are vying for a backup infield spot. Servais has said only one of the trio will make the team.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Brandon Lowe, fighting for a roster spot, went 4-for-5, with a home run and six RBI, playing first base and left field against Toronto March 2.

Lowe, a third-round pick in 2015, appeared in 43 games for the Rays last season, playing second base, left field and right field.

❚ Ryne Stanek made his first “opener” appearance on March 3 against Pittsburgh. Last season he made 30 relief appearances and 29 starts as an opener, all after May 25.

TEXAS RANGERS

Right-hander Lance Lynn made his spring debut March 3 against the Dodgers. At this point last year, he was still a free agent, signing with the Twins on March 12. The late signing likely affected his performance. He went 0-3 in five games in April, giving up 22 runs in 23 2 ⁄ 3 innings.

❚ Adrian Beltre, who retired after last season following a 21season career, visited Rangers camp on March 2. The Rangers will retire Beltre’s No. 29 on June 8.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. one of baseball’s top prospects, continues to impress. On March 3 against the Yankees, Guerrero, 19, doubled off the wall on a onehanded swing. “If it was me, it would have been a bloop single or something to the catcher. That was amazing. So relaxed. I can never relate to that. That’s a good sign for us.”

❚ Devon Travis, plagued by injuries over the past few seasons, hoped this year would be different. But Travis, in a battle for the second base job, is sidelined indefinitely with an inflamed left knee. He averaged just 79 games over the last four seasons.