The aches and pains of MLB spring training

MLB Spring Training Recap: March 7

Winner: Microphones

Major League Baseball has discovered the fun of mic-ing up players during MLB spring training games.

The Braves put a microphone on Freddie Freeman Friday and got a play-by-play of a first-to-home trip around the bases on a bloop single. On Saturday, the microphones multiplied.

The Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant wore one for his return to his home town of Las Vegas, where the Cubs played Cincinnati. In eh first inning he doubled to left, then told Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas – and by extension the world – about it.

Mallex Smith also wore a microphone Saturday during Seattle’s 8-4 loss to Oakland. Smith didn’t have a hit to brag about—he went 0-for-3 —  but he had a better audience. His conversation partner was Mariners legend, Ken Griffey Jr., doing a guest stint in the Mariners broadcast booth Saturday.

Winner: One pitch, three out

The Tamps Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves played a 1-1 tie Saturday. But that wasn’t the afternoon highlight. What the fans wanted to talk about was a couple of seconds in the middle of the game.

Rays pitcher John Curtiss began the inning by walking Atlanta’s Alex Jackson. He followed that by also walking Ender Inciarte.

Fans may have thought Curtiss was having control problems. Actually he was only setting up his defense. The next batter, Ozzie Albies, hit a low liner that shortstop Wander Franco grabbed just inches off the ground. Franco’s quick throw to first doubled Inciarte, who had strayed too far. Meanwhile, at second, Vidal Brujan yelled for the ball, noting that Jackson had not tagged up.

First baseman Dalton Kelly made the throw, and the triple play was in the book.

Winner: Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals

Adalberto Mondesi didn’t get on the field Saturday. In fact, he hasn’t played all MLB spring training. But Saturday was still a good day.

The Royals team physician pronounced Mondesi’s progress from late-season shoulder surgery to be good, and the team left open the hope that he may be in the opening day lineup.

“I don’t know if you can say you are ever without doubt,” Matheny said of Mondesi’s chances of taking the field on opening day. He noted, however, that “the surgeon said everything really looks good…that’s the green light to keep pushing.”

Mondesi is a key factor for the Royals. He hit .263 in 102 games last season, and also stole 43 bases.

Winner: Steven Matz, New York Mets pitcher

The Mets lost 5-0 to Washington Saturday. But even so, Steven Matz’s three innings had Mets fans smiling.

In his third league start, Matz stuffed the Nats nine up and nine down, striking out three. He lowered his spring ERA to 1.50.

The Mets are counting on Matz to be a solid No. 3 option behind Jacob DeGrom and Noah Syndergaard. That’s what he looked like Saturday.

MLB Spring Training Recap: March 7

Loser: Dellin Betances, New York Mets pitcher

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If Matz lightened Mets’ fans hearts Saturday, Betances’ performance brought them back to earth.

Relieving Matz in the fourth inning, Betances faced four batters and retired just one of them. The outing began with walks to Trea Turner and Victor Robles. Following a strikeout of Starlin Castro, the runners pulled off a double steal and Ryan Zimmerman singled them both home.

The Mets clocked Betances’ fastball at a disturbing 88 to 90 mph. This being MLB spring training, Betances shrugged it off. “It felt a little out of whack, but I came out healthy…which is the number one key for me,” he said.

Loser: Yairo Munoz, St. Louis Cardinals infielder

This hasn’t been a good spring for Munoz, and from a baseball standpoint, it hit rock bottom when he asked for and was given his unconditional release.

“He just wasn’t happy here … frustrated,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters.

Munoz, who had suffered an injury earlier in the week, was supposed to have an MRI don Friday. He didn’t show up for that test and didn’t explain why. “The bottom line is he left the club,” Mozeliak said. Manager Mike Shildt said  Munoz “just kind of went off the grid.”

Loser: Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians pitcher

The health saga of Carlos Carrasco took another unfortunate turn Saturday when manager Terry Francona said his next start would be delayed due to elbow inflammation.

He did not have a specific timetable, but sounded as if he believed it to be a minor delay and not a true setback.”Every spring after his first outing he gets mild elbow inflammation,” Francona said.

Carrasco is trying to return from leukemia. He made his first spring start last Tuesday after recovering from a hip flexor strain.

Loser: Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees catcher

As if the Yankees need more health issues.

Already hobbled by the losses of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, James Paxton, and Luis Severino, the Yanks pulled Gary Sanchez from batting practice Saturday due to a sore back.

Sanchez woke up sore following a Friday game in which he allowed three wild pitches and a passed ball, prompting Yankee spring fans to boo him.

Manager Aaron Boone was not concerned. “It’s kind of normal wear and tear…I don’t think it will be much of an issue,” he said.

Loser: Evan Phillips, Baltimore Orioles pitcher

Phillips came to spring camp hoping to compete for a spot in the team’s bullpen. That hope appeared to evaporate Saturday when the Orioles shut him down due to elbow soreness.

Instead of pitching, he spent time in a doctor’s office, tests revealing a mild strain.

“I’m not quite sure the time frame right now,” Phillips said. “I just know it’s going to be a few weeks off from throwing and then  rebuilding from there.”

Phillips had made two MLB spring training appearances, allowing three runs.