Do you hear that sound? That’s the sound of spring training. Many pitchers and catchers reported to their teams yesterday, with more reporting today, and position players aren’t far behind. By the end of the week, there will be workouts, and in a week? Spring training games! It’s all happening! The offseason is finally ending and baseball is in sight!
Pitchers and catchers are reporting all around baseball
Tuesday’s Say Hey, Baseball includes some early spring training highlights, the return of Steve Clevenger, and some romantic baseball names.
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Are there highlights so far? You bet! Well, sort of. There isn’t really a lot going on, but for fans of the handful of teams that reported yesterday, it was everything. The Phillies showed off their young arms, and even gave us a glamour shot to boot. The Red Sox had a lot to show off, like Chris Sale in a Red Sox uniform, and a slo-mo video of him pitching (oh heck yes). The Indians are ready to start climbing that mountain once again, and showed it off all day. And the Mets? Their position players don’t report until Feb. 17, but their batting cages were full of eager players ready to get a jump on things.
First workouts for these guys are mostly today and tomorrow. And then, special pitcher and catcher time is over, because the rest of the team reports. And then in just over a week, games start. On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the Diamondbacks have the first spring training contest with a game against the Grand Canyon Antelopes, a mascot that absolutely needs to make its way into the MLB somehow. Baseball is almost here, and soon there will be a lot more to watch and read (and write) about than just pictures and short videos of players practicing. It can’t get here quickly enough.
- The Braves may be rebuilding, but they’ve added some interesting veterans to their team this season. But will you want to watch them? Grant Brisbee investigates.
- The Brewers, who still have Ryan Braun on their roster, may be able to learn something from the Brandon Phillips trade.
- Even though it appears there’s a battle shaping up for the Giants’ fifth starter, the job probably belongs to Matt Cain.
- The Royals snapped up Travis Wood, the best pitcher left on the market, on a two-year contract.
- There are two Danny Valencias, and no one knows which one the Mariners are going to get.
- Steve Clevenger gave his first interview after his career-ending tweets to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, and it’s pretty interesting.
- Lone Star Ball took a deep dive into how Jonathan Lucroy has changed the Rangers’ pitching staff.
- Steven Wright had a breakout 2016 for the Red Sox, but was it a fluke?
- Since today is Valentine’s Day, a team made up of the most romantic names in baseball is definitely appropriate.
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