MLB Spring Training: February 25 winners and losers

Carter Kieboom helped his case for replacing Anthony Rendon in Washington; veterans Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester had rough MLB spring training debuts.

Winners and losers from Tuesday, February 25 in MLB spring training play included a veteran trying to make a team as a non-roster invitee, a rookie hoping to replace a World Series hero, and a little-known pitcher suddenly presented with an injury-induced opportunity.

Winner: Matt Kemp, Miami Marlins outfielder.

Trying to make the Marlins as a non-roster invitee, Kemp singled in the third inning and again in the fifth against Houston. His fifth-inning hit drove home Jon Berti. Miami eventually won 7-4. Kemp is trying to restore a career cut short by his release from the Cincinnati Reds last July.

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Winner: Carter Kieboom, Washington third baseman.

Kieboom needed it. Trying to win the third base vacancy created by the departure of Anthony Rendon, Kieboom came to the plate in the sixth inning against St. Louis has started the spring 0-for-6. He drove Brett Cecil’s first-pitch into right field for a base hit.

Loser: Jake Arrieta, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher.

Arrieta’s performance is critical to the Phillies’ hopes this season. In his spring debut against the Blue Jays, he did not produce confidence. Arrieta went two innings, but gave up three runs on three hits and a walk. Rowdy Tellez took him deep in the first inning.

MLB Spring Training: February 25 winners and losers

Winner: Billy McKinney, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder

McKinney started Arrieta’s bad afternoon with a leadoff hit, but he didn’t stop there. He added a double in the fourth and a home run off Anthony Swarzak in the sixth. The Jays won 13-6.

Loser: Austin Meadows, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder.

Meadows must have felt like he under-dressed for the big party Tuesday. Facing Baltimore, the Rays scored 15 runs on 16 base hits. But Meadows went hitless in four at-bats, and the Rays’ designated leadoff man remains 0-for-spring in 2020.

Winner: Luis Cessa, New York Yankees pitcher.

The Tommy John diagnosis handed out to Yankee pitcher Luis Severino opens up a rotation spot that New York intends to fill from within. Among the candidates, Cessa was first to the mound against Toronto Tuesday, and he delivered a scoreless inning. Granted it was a small victory for Cessa, but it did maximize the opportunity to make an impression. Cessa struck out two Jays.

Loser: Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs pitcher.

Lester also made his 2020 spring debut Tuesday, and he showed nothing. David Dahl hit Lester’s first pitch into right field for a double. An error and walk followed, and before Lester got back to the dugout the Rockies had three runs. A second-inning walk, single and two-run producing double finished Lester’s tour of duty for the day.