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SF Giants Press Clips Friday, March 3, 2017

San Francisco Chronicle embraces ‘social’ in social media John Shea

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Being Hunter Pence means being open to the public and inviting fans into a world extending well beyond .

It also means being a bit different. OK, a lot different.

“I don’t really see myself as that big of a deal,” said Pence, speaking in a self-deprecating way that makes him even more of a big deal.

Pence, the Giants’ quirky right fielder, is approaching his 11th big-league season and first as a married man. He said he’s the “same Hunter,” at least in how he carries himself as a ballplayer.

He’s still unorthodox when he throws, swings and runs. He still has wild hair and wears his pants legs above his knees.

He’s still the most positive guy in the clubhouse. He’s still an easy person to know and appreciate.

His offseason marriage to Alexis Cozombolidis hasn’t changed his willingness to share his private life. In fact, he seems even more willing.

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“A lot of people highly value their privacy, and I totally respect that,” Pence said. “We really enjoy sharing this journey and what it’s like behind the scenes.

“Alexis inspired me to do a lot more on social media. She kind of pushed me. It is fun to show your personality and let fans know what’s going on, and she kind of encouraged me to let them know who I am.

“She’ll say ‘Tweet that.’ Or ‘send out that picture.’ OK.”

Pence is on , Instagram, Snap Chat and Facebook, a far cry from many players who prefer their privacy once they walk off the field. It’s easy to understand considering they’re already in the limelight, on the Internet and spread across the nation’s sports pages.

Pence uses social media, often cleverly, to communicate and motivate. Promote a charity or upcoming event. Provide a thought for the day. Or just get goofy.

For example: “Suspenders are the fanny packs of suits.”

And: “I think they should do a re-make of Captain Planet.”

And: “My #ThursdayThought is drink coffee, homers, repeat.”

When Pence fouled a ball off his face (as only he could) and was left with a nasty black eye, he posted a picture of himself in a Pence-ian pose with these words: “I forget that I have a black eye and scare people.”

When he posted a picture of the couple’s spot-on Halloween costumes — he as Napoleon Dynamite, she as Pedro — it went viral.

Did we mention he posted the video of his proposal to Alexis at Disney World?

“Alexis said whenever I proposed to her, she wanted it filmed,” Pence said. “If you saw the actual proposal, I sounded like an idiot. Good thing for the editing, it made me look a lot better.

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I did a terrible job of proposing. Even she was like, ‘What were you doing?’ Yeah, I was nervous.”

Pence has taken his openness to a new level since Alexis came into his life. She’s a video aficionado, worked at the gaming outfit IGN and, like Hunter, is an open book on social media.

Her video clips chronicling the couple’s unique adventures are must-see for Giants fans.

“People want that,” Pence said. “I mean, it’s good for players to grow themselves, too, by building a following, by showing the world who they are, what their interests are. It’s only beneficial, really.”

Is it all positive?

“Mostly positive. Not all positive,” Pence said. “You can’t please everyone no matter what you do.”

Is it ever a distraction?

“People can claim anything’s a distraction,” Pence said. “I get tweets saying, ‘You should be hitting off the tee.’ Trust me, you can’t hit off the tee 24/7. If you make an out, you’re told, ‘You need to be practicing more.’ That’s now how it works.”

Coffee tastes and video games are hot topics for Pence, who’s known to some people for his motorized scooters and Hunter Pence signs, which were the rage a few seasons back and a forum for fans to poke fun at him.

Those signs became popular after Pence, with the help of his then-girlfriend Cozombolidis, posted a picture of him holding a coffee mug in a straight-out-of-“Seinfeld” diner in New York with the words: “These pretzels are making me thirsty.”

Suddenly, fans around the majors were compelled to bring signs to games:

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“Hunter Pence puts ketchup on his hot dog.”

“Hunter Pence eats pizza with a fork.”

“Hunter Pence can’t parallel park.”

Pence used social media to solve a crime, too, notifying the public that his scooter was stolen from outside the Epic Roasthouse on the Embarcadero. Pence, who got his scooter back — he thanked Batkid — wound up having his wedding reception at Epic with this theme: “Game of Thrones Meets Harry Potter.”

The wedding day was so epic that the Giants signed an outfielder as a result. General manager Bobby Evans invited fellow wedding guest to try prolonging his career. He’s in camp as a non-roster player.

The Pence-Morse bromance continues.

“It’s awesome,” Pence said. “He looks incredible. He’s got that presence, personality, charisma, leadership, the X factor with the bat. He brings that world-class power to the plate. It’s nice to have lurking.”

Pence, who turns 34 in April, has a new goal for 2017. Not to play every game as he did in 2013 and 2014, but to stay healthy all season. He says now that playing every game “was detrimental to me. I think if you take a day here or there, it refreshes you and helps you out a lot.”

Injuries limited Pence to 52 games in 2015 and 106 last season. He’s no longer stubborn about demanding to be in every day. He’s about staying healthy and getting max production when he does play.

He’s also about letting the public know all about it.

Life goes on. And it goes on for all to see.

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John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicle’s national baseball writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @JohnSheaHey Pence’s social media channels Twitter: @hunterpence Instagram: @hunterpence Snap Chat: hpiece8 Facebook: www.facebook.com/hunterpence8

San Francisco Chronicle Cueto on his way to Giants camp, will skip WBC first round Henry Schulman

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — is coming to the desert, and the Giants could not be happier. The No. 2 starter finally secured a passport and a visa for his ailing father, and the two were expected to fly to Arizona late Thursday or Friday morning. When they arrive, Cueto will have more than a month to prepare for his first regular-season start, which should be sufficient.

“Oh yeah, no problem,” manager said. “Especially the way he’s been throwing. We had him on a program. In a way it’s similar to last spring, and that worked out well.” Had Cueto reported on time nearly three weeks ago, he would have headed to Florida for the on Sunday. But the Giants understand he will skip round of the tournament, with decisions on subsequent rounds to come.

Cueto has faced hitters at the Giants’ academy in the Dominican Republic and might not need much time before he appears in a Cactus League game, although Bochy might have him throw batting practice first.

General manager Bobby Evans shed more light on Cueto’s delayed arrival. Cueto phoned Evans before the Feb. 13 report date and said he wanted to bring his father to Arizona as Domingo Cueto ’s primary caregiver. Giants officials in the Dominican attempted to fast-track a U.S. visa for the elder Cueto only to learn his passport had expired.

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Domingo Cueto needed to renew the passport in person, which was difficult given his physical condition. Once that happened, the Giants helped the secure his father’s visa. But that can take two weeks even if accelerated.

Cueto’s arrival should enliven the camp at a time when things can drag.

“We’re all excited to see Johnny,” pitcher Matt Moore said. “He’s a very big part of what’s going on around here. He’s got good energy. Hopefully everything is all right with him.” WBC boys: and are leaving for the WBC on Monday. Both have work to do. Posey missed his second consecutive game with a stiff neck. Bochy said Posey felt much better than Wednesday and wants to catch Friday’s game against the A’s.

So far, Posey has totaled just nine defensive innings and batted four times. Bochy hopes Posey can catch six or seven innings Friday and again Sunday.

“He said his legs feel as good as they ever have in ,” Bochy said. “My biggest concern is, we’d like to send him off with his timing at the plate, but he’s only had four at-bats.”

Crawford has been playing, but an 0-for-3 Thursday left him 1-for-11 on the spring. He said he cannot be concerned with results, despite the looming international competition, because finding his timing is more important.

“Once I get out there it will be pretty easy to get in game mode,” Crawford said. “You want everything to be a little more season-ready because you want to do well in the WBC. The last couple of years I’ve started out slowly, but by the end of the spring I’ve gotten my timing down. I think I’m close.”

Yucky day: The Giants lost to the White Sox 8-6 in a game with 10 errors, six by the Giants, two each by center fielder , second baseman C.J. Hinojosa and catcher Nick Hundley . Hundley committed one error when he threw to second with nobody covering on a very delayed steal by Rymer Liriano . Crawford should have been at the bag but was caught flat-

6 footed by Liriano’s delay in running, a first for the , who said in Yogi-esque fashion, “I’d never gotten got before.” Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected]: @hankschulman.

White Sox 8, Giants 5

Angels 5, Giants 4

Notable: In the home game against Chicago, Matt Moore allowed four first-inning runs, three on a Danny Hayes double, but rebounded with 12/3 shutout innings. ... New closer has retired all nine hitters he has faced the spring, including three White Sox. ... started the road game against the Angels and pitched two shutout innings. ... Chris Marrero hit his second homer of the spring, but Jarrett Parker , who had been 4-for-9, went 0- for-3. Quotable: “He looked like he’s been doing it for years. It says a lot about his athletic abilities and willingness to learn a new position after being a shortstop for so long.” — Brandon Crawford, praising , who started at second base and made a quick turn and throw to start a despite speedy Peter Bourjos running to first base.

Friday’s game: Giants vs. A’s, at Mesa, 12:05 p.m. Radio: 680

San Jose Mercury News Jimmy Rollins thrilled to pass WBC shortstop torch to Brando Crawford Andrew Baggarly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jimmy Rollins made the first start of his life at second base on Thursday, and he flipped a nice feed to Brandon Crawford to start a 4-6-3 double play.

It was a deft bit of choreography from one Gold Glove shortstop to another. But it is not the most important exchange they will make this spring.

Rollins is passing the torch to Crawford, too.

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Crawford leaves on Monday to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. He’ll be their starting shortstop. He takes over for Rollins, who was the American team’s primary shortstop in the 2013 tournament and alternated between short and designated hitter with Derek Jeter on the 2009 squad.

Rollins already took Crawford aside and let him know what to expect.

“It was a fun uniform to put on – the funnest,” Rollins said. “You’re not representing a city against other cities. You’re representing your country. You hear the anthem every single day, but you really listen to it when you play in the WBC. It just sounds different. It’s our Olympics. It’s like the biggest All-Star game.”

Rollins shone brightly among them. He hit .417 with a home , two triples and a double in 24 at-bats for the squad in 2009 that advanced to the semifinals. In the elimination loss to Japan at , Rollins was the DH and went 4 for 4.

He said he couldn’t wait to compete again in 2013 and hit .321 (9 for 28), but made the final out against Puerto Rico – popping up to Angel Pagan in center field – in the loss that eliminated Team USA in the group stage.

Rollins, 38, is ecstatic that he’s turning over the honor not only to someone from his current clubhouse, but a shortstop whose skills he has admired for a long time.

“He’s not taking over for me — I didn’t start it — but he’s carrying the torch for the who came prior,” Rollins said. “The first time you hear about it, on the outside, it’s `Oh, the WBC, whatever.’ But once you experience it … I mean, man. I’m telling you. He’ll understand when he gets there.

“And the next time it comes around,” Rollins said, raising a hand, “he’ll be like, `I’m here.””

Crawford isn’t there yet. He was 0 for 3 and is batting .091 this spring, which is not uncommon for the first week of exhibition games. Crawford said he often doesn’t get his timing at the plate until later in the spring. He was hoping to accelerate the process this time.

“I’m close right now,” Crawford said. “I’m not getting the results, but I don’t care about the results as long as I feel good.”

The bigger concern might be Crawford’s WBC teammate, catcher Buster Posey, who has had just four plate appearances this spring and whose neck stiffness kept him in the trainer’s room for a second consecutive day. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Posey was improved and hoped to catch Friday’s exhibition against the A’s at Mesa.

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Bochy said there has been no discussion of Posey potentially pulling out of the WBC.

“Right now, he’s not showing any concern,” Bochy said. “If he can go (Friday), take a day off, then catch six or seven innings (Sunday), he should be good to go.”

One potential advantage for both Posey and Crawford: they won’t have to dig in against teammate Johnny Cueto, whom the Dominican Republic had eyed for a start in its second game against Team USA. Cueto, who was expected to arrive in Giants camp on Friday after a lengthy delay while tending to his father’s poor health, informed Dominican officials that he wouldn’t consider competing until the second round.

The Americans and Dominicans are the favorites to advance from a group that includes Colombia and Canada.

While Crawford is away, Rollins will do more than soak up innings at shortstop. He’ll continue to get work at second base, and a start at third is coming soon as well.

Rollins said he was happy to get tested in the second inning of the Giants’ 8-6 exhibition loss to the Chicago White Sox, when speedy Peter Bourjos slapped a ground ball his way with a runner on first base.

“I’m glad it was Bourjos,” Rollins said. “We had to be quick.”

They were.

“He looked good. He looks like he’s been doing it for a lot of years,” Crawford said. “It says a lot about his athleticism and his willingness to play another position.”

Rollins had played exclusively at shortstop over his 17 big league seasons, with the exception of one brief moment in 2002 when he got hit by a pitch on his elbow in the eighth inning. He moved to second base for one inning rather than exit the game.

Moving around the diamond should be a challenge. Playing with Crawford is making it easier.

“Everything he does is very clean,” Rollins said. “He’s consistent with where he throws the ball and how he makes the play. When he goes a certain way, I should know where he’s going to put the ball. You get a guy who’s got a hitch or something, you’re like, `All right.’ The timing can be a little weird. But he’s just A, B, C. He’s special.

“It’s more him getting used to me than anything else.”

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Neither Rollins nor Crawford were responsible for any of the six errors that the Giants made in their home loss. But Crawford did get fooled by a delayed steal from Chicago’s Rymer Liriano – the first time in his career that has happened to him, he claimed.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever gotten got,” Crawford said. “It was a super delayed steal. I checked and he wasn’t going, and then he went the one time I decided to stretch my leg. I was in mid-stretch. So good job. I tip my hat.”

Left-hander Matt Moore used similar terminology, calling it “a super duper delayed steal.”

With nobody covering, catcher Nick Hundley’s throw went into center field.

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Mark Melancon worked his third consecutive 1-2-3 inning of the spring, and Derek Law struck out two in a scoreless inning. … Moore gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings but was victimized by some bad luck. … went 1 for 2 and lowered his spring average to .600 in the road squad’s 5-4 loss to the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Chris Marrero hit his second homer of the spring, and right-hander Tyler Beede scattered two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings. Former Giant tossed three scoreless innings for the Angels. Giants catcher Trevor Brown might have had the most impressive day in Tempe; he caught three Angels trying to steal second base.

San Jose Mercury News Johnny Cueto to join Giants on Friday, bows out of WBC’s first round; Buster Posey remains sideline Andrew Baggarly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – At long last, the Giants finally have a hard date for Johnny Cueto’s arrival in camp. They expect him to travel from the Dominican Republic on Friday.

Cueto has booked travel arrangements for himself and his 71-year-old father, Giants GM Bobby Evans said. The right-hander’s arrival in camp has been delayed because of his father’s chronic health issues; Cueto wanted to continue to care for his father, who had to renew an expired passport and apply for a U.S. visa before he could be cleared to travel.

With those issues resolved, Cueto should arrive 18 days after the scheduled reporting day for and catchers. Cueto originally was scheduled to leave Giants camp on Monday to join his Dominican teammates in Florida for the World Baseball Classic, but he has informed officials that he won’t participate in the first round.

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Cueto has indicated that he would join the Dominican team for the second round in San Diego if the club advances past the group stage. Originally, it appeared that Cueto would face Giants teammates Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford when the Dominican squad faced Team USA in the second game of the group stage in Miami on March 11.

Cueto has been throwing live batting practice to teenage prospects at the Giants’ complex near Santo Domingo, but Manager Bruce Bochy said he would hold off on setting an exhibition schedule for the right-hander until coaches can evaluate his progress in person.

It’s likely that Cueto would throw live batting practice here in Arizona before he would appear in a Cactus League exhibition game, Bochy said.

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Bochy insisted that Posey’s participation in the WBC was not in jeopardy, even though the Giants catcher was scratched from Wednesday night’s exhibition lineup because of a stiff neck, and plans to DH him in one of Thursday’s Cactus League games did not come to fruition.

Posey has gotten just four plate appearances this spring and also is due to leave Monday to join Team USA in Florida for the WBC.

“Right now he has not shown any concern,” Bochy said. “He says he feels good.”

Bochy said if Posey could catch on Friday, then log six or seven innings behind the plate on Sunday, that should be enough to get him ready for WBC games.

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Jacob Heyward, the younger brother of Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward, is among the minor leaguers filling out the home split squad roster. Jacob Heyward, an 18th-round pick out of the University of Miami last year, debuted by posting a .488 on-base percentage in the rookie-level Arizona League.

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San Jose Mercury News Sports and immigration: What’s with the visa hold-ups for Giants’ Cueto, A’s Casilla Elliott Almond

The Trump Administration’s approach to immigration probably has nothing to do with visa issues involving pitchers Johnny Cueto and Santiago Casilla and other athletes trying to report to training camps. The state department hasn’t exceeded the standard wait time this year when issuing special visas for athletes, according to a source familiar with the process. The Giants’ Cueto is expected to arrive Friday after working to secure a visa for his ailing 71-year-old father. ADVERTISING However, the spring training absences of the Bay Area pitchers highlight a continuing trend as American professional sports embrace globalization. The ’ complicated immigration system has caused hundreds of foreign athletes over the years from arriving on time although there is a process designed especially for them. Here is a brief explanation of how it works:

Why isn’t a passport good enough? The U.S. Immigration Act requires foreigners working in the United States to obtain a visa that could be best described as a temporary work permit. The country offers foreign workers an assortment of these work permits. In 1990, the Immigration Act was amended to address the growing number of foreign professional athletes and entertainers working in America.

The United States’ complicated immigration system has caused hundreds of foreign athletes to be delayed from reporting to preseason training camps although they have a special visa designed especially for them.

What visa do athletes need? The most common work permit for athletes is called a P-1 visa. According to immigration experts it the easiest documentation to obtain for a professional athlete. P-1 visas are issued for the length of the season or a player’s contract up to five years. It is renewable. The other type of permit involving athletes is an O-1 visa, which is for performers with “extraordinary ability” and is good for three years. The requirements to obtain an O-1 visa are more difficult. What are the requirements for a P-1 visa? Athletes need proof of a contract with a U.S. league or team as well as at least two other pieces of documentation, such as evidence of having appeared in a U.S. league for a significant extent of the previous season and proof of his or her recognized ability as an athlete.

How does it work?

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According to a spokeswoman for Homeland Security, the department must first approve P-1 and O-1 applications. Then the document is sent to the state department’s national visa center for processing. From there, the application goes to the U.S. embassy where the athlete resides for final approval. The final segment takes about three weeks. Why are there so many delays? According to a New York Times report in 2011, one of the biggest reasons for a delay is an applicant’s criminal record. Officials at the corresponding U.S. embassy will request additional information to determine whether a certain crime renders the athlete ineligible for a visa. The applicant can apply for a waiver if denied, but it will cause a long delay. The Times also reported that some visa delays were the result of a more careful evaluation of an application because of identity fraud issues. In other cases, the delays were caused by simple mistakes, such as athletes forgetting to renew passports or failing to show up for their interview.

What can teams and leagues do to help speed up the process? Teams need to avoid filing paperwork late or having incomplete applications. A baseball official told the Times that teams must make sure everything is signed properly as well as every question is answered. In the case of the single-entity MLS, the league has to complete the documentation with the team, adding another layer to the process.

MLB.com Rollins embraces challenge at second base Chris Haft

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Jimmy Rollins earned all A's in his continuing education as an infielder Thursday. His healthy attitude complemented his aptitude and adaptability. Having spent all but one-third of an inning of his 17-year Major League career at shortstop, Rollins furthered his conversion to utility man with a tidy performance at second base in the Giants' 8-6 split-squad loss to the Chicago White Sox. Rollins assisted on four putouts in five innings and particularly distinguished himself when he fielded Peter Bourjos ' grounder and made a slick pivot to flip the ball to shortstop Brandon Crawford , thus starting a second-inning double play.

"He looked like he's been doing it for years," Crawford said. "I think that's saying a lot about his athleticism and willingness to learn a new position after being a shortstop for so long."

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A three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and the 2007 recipient of the National League's Most Valuable Player Award, Rollins readily acknowledged that playing second base initially seemed foreign.

"Going to the other side of the field -- the ball's spinning the other way; the coverages are different; I never had to cover first base before," the 38-year-old said. "Those are the things that I need practice at." After fielding Omar Narvaez 's first-inning grounder, Rollins underhanded the ball to first base, which is acceptable for second basemen. But Rollins looked more at home three innings later after he ranged to his glove side to snare Laury Garcia's bouncer. Rollins employed the quick, almost-sidearm flip that all second basemen must master as he threw to first.

"I was happy, because it made me get over there and set my feet to give a good, firm throw," Rollins said.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Rollins also will be tried at third base to gauge his versatility. But Bochy doesn't want to rush the veteran.

"We don't want to throw too much at him. We have a month here," Bochy said.

Rollins expressed confidence in his ability to handle the hot corner.

"I'm a little more comfortable on that side of the field, just because of the angles," he said. Rollins has long been comfortable as a leader, a trait he demonstrated with left-hander Matt Moore .

"Between innings, he came up to me a couple of times and said, 'Right there. Stay on them. Keep going at 'em,'" said Moore, the Giants starter who worked 2 2/3 innings against the White Sox. "He's definitely in the game. ... I think that's really cool of him." Rollins' intangibles could become a factor when Bochy and the rest of San Francisco's braintrust select the team's reserve infielders. Rollins' competitors for a backup role include Kelby Tomlinson , Gordon Beckham , Conor Gillaspie , Aaron Hill and Jae-gyun Hwang .

Rollins has embraced the challenge. Asked if he was enjoying himself, he responded

14 affirmatively.

"As an athlete," he said, "you're always learning something."

MLB.com Source: Cueto may not pitch for D.R. in WBC ‘17 Chris Haft

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto will not pitch for the Dominican Republic in the first round of the World Baseball Classic, a source told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez on Thursday.

"I heard discussion of that," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who would not elaborate.

Additionally, Cueto's status for the later rounds of the Classic remains unknown. Cueto conceivably could skip the first round and pitch afterward. However, Bochy said, "I'd like to talk to Johnny to really find out what he's going to do."

Giants general manager Bobby Evans said Cueto has made travel arrangements for him and his father to arrive in Scottsdale sometime Friday. Cueto has remained absent from Spring Training since pitchers reported to camp Feb. 13. He has been caring for his 71-year-old father, who has struggled with chronic health issues.

San Francisco's status as contenders in the is directly linked to Cueto's effectiveness. He was the club's winningest pitcher last year, finishing 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA and earning the assignment as the NL's starter in the All-Star Game.

Cueto, who can opt out of his six-year, $130 million contract after this season, has kept his arm limber by throwing off a mound and pitching live batting practice at the Giants' Dominican baseball academy at Boca Chica.

Bochy felt certain Cueto will have sufficient time to prepare for his first regular-season start, which likely would be April 4 at Arizona.

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"That'll be no problem," Bochy said. "Especially the way he's been throwing."

Cueto's last appearance in the Classic for Team Dominican Republic came in 2009, when he earned a win after throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five against Panama. The World Baseball Classic runs from Monday through March 22. In the U.S., games will air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch , while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN will provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. will have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. Internationally, the tournament will be distributed across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, , as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com .

MLB.com Posey hoping to ramp up activity soon Chris Haft

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants catcher Buster Posey , who was sidelined for the second straight day with a stiff neck, hopes to play Friday against Oakland and thus further his preparation for the World Baseball Classic, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday. Posey has been expected to combine with and A.J. Ellis to form the catching corps for the United States squad. But Posey has appeared in just two Cactus League games and is 0-for-3 with a walk in four plate appearances.

Conventional wisdom indicates Posey must be able to play a nine-inning game for Team USA, which will convene in Florida early next week. Bochy said Posey should be able to gain enough stamina if he can withstand a quick buildup of activity this weekend.

"Right now, he has not shown any concern about not being able to catch nine innings," Bochy said. "If he can [play Friday], probably take a day off and catch one more game -- get six or seven [innings] out of him -- I think he'd be good to go. My bigger concern, obviously, [is] you'd

16 like to send him off having his timing at the plate."

Posey underwent treatment Thursday, one day after he was scratched from San Francisco's lineup before a Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

MLB.com Marrero homers as Beede shines in start Maria Guardado

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels scored three runs in the seventh inning to fuel a 5-4 comeback win over the split-squad Giants on Thursday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

After the Giants scored twice in the top of the seventh to seize a 4-2 lead, the Halos quickly rallied to erase the deficit in the bottom half of the inning. Kaleb Cowart ignited the comeback with a leadoff single and then scored on a throwing error by Jae-gyun Hwang to bring the Angels within one. Matt Thaiss tied it with an RBI single, and Matt Williams followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in the game-winning run. Full Game Coverage

The Angels, who improved to 6-0 in Cactus League play, are the only undefeated team in the Majors this spring and are unbeaten in their last 17 spring games, dating back to last season. The Giants are now 3-4. Giants second baseman Joe Panik went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored, while Aaron Hill finished 2-for-3. Chris Marrero also drilled a solo that briefly tied the game at 2 in the sixth. The Angels were led by third baseman Luis Valbuena , who went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs, and first baseman C.J. Cron , who added a pair of singles. Right-hander Ricky Nolasco , the first of the Angels' top starters to make his spring debut, allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over two innings.

"It was good," Nolasco said. "A little extra adrenaline than all the bullpens and the Spring Training work. It was good to get it out of the way. [I was] trying to get the timing going. I thought I was rushing a little bit and was struggling to get down the glove a couple of times, but [I] felt good. Got through it. On to the next."

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Angels right-hander Yusmeiro Petit , a candidate for a rotation or bullpen job who is gearing up to pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, piggybacked off Nolasco and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing four hits with one walk and one . Right-handed prospect Tyler Beede gave up two hits while walking one and striking out one over two scoreless innings in his second Cactus League appearance for the Giants. Giants Up Next: On Friday at 12:05 p.m. PT, is scheduled to make his second appearance against Oakland in as many Cactus League starts. In one inning Monday, Samardzija surrendered two runs and three hits, including 's home run. Chris Stratton , a contender for the fifth starter's vacancy, also is expected to pitch. Angels Up Next: Right-hander Matt Shoemaker will make his first Cactus League start of the year Friday when the Angels host the Brewers at Tempe Diablo Stadium. It will be Shoemaker's first game action since being hit on the head by a line drive in September. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. PT, and it can be viewed on MLB.TV.

MLB.com Moore hurt by defense in 1 st inning vs. White Sox Chris Haft

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Danny Hayes ' three-run double fueled a four-run first inning Thursday for the Chicago White Sox, who hung on to defeat the , 8-6, in a Cactus League exhibition. Though all the runs in Chicago's first-inning outburst against Giants starter Matt Moore were earned, a pair of errors by Minor League center fielder Steven Duggar abetted the scoring. Full Game Coverage Duggar bobbled ex-Giant Melky Cabrera 's ground-ball single that drove in Chicago's first run. That enabled Cabrera and Tim Anderson to advance an extra base. One out later, Rymer Liriano walked to load the bases, setting up Hayes' bases-clearing hit. Duggar also mishandled that ball, and though Hayes received credit for three RBIs, the fumble guaranteed that Liriano would cross the plate. In all, San Francisco was charged with six fielding errors.

However, Giants manager Bruce Bochy cited a factor that annoyed him more than the errors. "We were 2-for-13 [actually, 2-for-15] with runners in scoring position. That was the difference," Bochy said. The Giants rallied after White Sox starter Derek Holland worked two scoreless innings. Duggar

18 atoned for his defensive lapses by contributing an RBI single to a two-run fourth inning. C.J. Hinojosa's two-run double and a run-scoring error generated the Giants' three-run sixth inning. That wasn't enough for San Francisco, as Anderson's two-run, fifth-inning homer and Yoan Moncada 's sixth-inning RBI single cushioned Chicago's advantage. Tim Anderson hits an opposite-field two-run home run in the 5th inning, giving the White Sox a 6-2 lead White Sox Up Next: Dylan Covey , a Rule 5 addition for the White Sox, gets the start Friday night as the White Sox travel to Peoria to take on San Diego with a 7:40 CT first pitch. Tyler Danish , Michael Ynoa and Spencer Adams also are expected to throw, and Jose Abreu is expected to be back in the lineup. Giants Up Next: On Friday at 12:05 p.m. PT, Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to make his second appearance against Oakland in as many Cactus League starts. In one inning Monday, Samardzija surrendered two runs and three hits, including Matt Joyce 's home run. Chris Stratton , a contender for the fifth starter's vacancy, also is expected to pitch.

CSNbayarea.com Giants spring training day 18 Alex Pavlovic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If the World Baseball Classic organizers were following the news out of Giants camp on Thursday, they couldn’t have been thrilled. Johnny Cueto, who will finally arrive at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday, will likely announce that he’s pulling out of the first round of play. Buster Posey missed a second straight game with a stiff neck.

That leaves Brandon Crawford as the only Giants who is currently healthy and ready for the WBC. He went 0-for-3 against the White Sox, dropping his average to .091 during an accelerated spring.

“I saw had a home run. , too. (Nolan) Arenado hit one,” a smiling Crawford said of his Team USA teammates. “So we’re good.”

There’s no reason for to be concerned about his incoming shortstop. Crawford has gotten plenty of early at-bats and there have been no concerns with a throwing arm he usually rests during spring training.

“Once I get out there in games, it’s going to be pretty easy to get into game-mode,” he said.

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“You want everything to be more season-ready because you want to do well in the WBC. I think I’m close. I’m just not getting results.”

Crawford will combine with Arenado to form a frightening defensive duo. Bochy said that even with Posey’s minor hiccup, the Giants expect him to be fine to start alongside Crawford. Posey, who leaves Monday, hopes to catch a significant portion of Friday’s game and then start on Sunday. Thus far, he has just four spring plate appearances and nine innings behind the plate.

“Right now, he’s not showing any concern about being able to catch,” Bochy said. “He’s said his legs feel as good as they have in spring training.”

Cueto threw regular bullpen sessions while waiting for a visa for his father. He’ll have a physical on Friday and meet with the staff, at which point the Giants should get more clarity on how much he plans on throwing in the WBC. The expectation right now is that he will pull out of the first round but keep his options open to join should the Dominican Republic advance.

GAME RECAP: The Giants and White Sox combined for 10 errors. Ten! Bochy took the six Giants errors in stride, pointing out that four were from young prospects — Steven Duggar and C.J. Hinojosa. Duggar, making his first start in center, had two early errors but bounced back to reach base four times. He’s a really interesting prospect, with speed that has been on full display through the first week. The sloppiness hurt Matt Moore, who gave up four of the runs in an 8-6 loss to the White Sox.

SPLIT-SQUAD : Over in Tempe, Tyler Beede pitched two scoreless innings, giving him four for the spring. The Giants lost 5-4. They made just one error in the road game … Chris Marrero hit his second homer of the spring … Mac Williamson, Aaron Hill and Kelby Tomlinson had two-hit days … Trevor Brown caught three guys trying to steal second.

STOCK RISING: To my eyes, Jimmy Rollins has to be a slight favorite for the second backup infielder job at the moment. He’s had a good first week of games. Here’s a story about his debut at second base.

FAMILIAR FACE: Over in Tempe, the Giants faced Yusmeiro Petit. If you missed it, here’s a look at Petit and all the other former Giants who are in big league camps as non-roster invitees.

ROSTER UPDATE: If you were waiting for Josmil Pinto to arrive, I have bad news for you. His locker has been cleared out. Apparently he won’t be in camp.

QUOTABLE : “That was the first time I’ve gotten got on a delayed steal. It was a super-delay. I could’ve sworn I checked. I was mid-stretch and he’s going.” — Crawford on Rymer Liriano taking second on a delayed steal. Nobody covered the bag.

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CSNbayarea.com Rollins sharp in spring debut at second base: Let the instincts take over Alex Pavlovic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In his second inning at second base, where he hadn’t played in 15 years, Jimmy Rollins got a needed test.

Speedy White Sox outfielder Peter Bourjos came up with a runner on first and hit a grounder to second. Rollins fielded it cleanly and made a perfect feed to the bag, giving Brandon Crawford enough time to fire a strike back to first for the double play. Rollins smiled and pointed to Crawford. He then tipped his cap toward the seats alongside the Giants dugout, where , who has been working with Rollins every morning, was sitting.

“I’m happy it was Bourjos,” Rollins said. “We had to move quickly.”

Rollins looked just fine in his spring debut at second base. He had previously played 13 innings at shortstop, and he’s going to get time at third, too. That’s the life of a utility infielder, and it’s a job Rollins is hoping to win.

"I thought he looked pretty good," manager Bruce Bochy said. "In the early going, he's looking pretty good. That was a nice pivot to Craw for that double play."

The switch to the second-base side — where Rollins jokes that it looks like the catcher is throwing with the wrong hand — will be the biggest adjustment. Rollins has said that turning his back to a runner will be the weirdest part, and he didn’t have that situation Thursday. He did get three grounders, handling all easily.

“When the game starts, you just use your athleticism and let the instincts take over,” he said.

Rollins was 0-for-3 at the plate and he’s 2-for-10 this spring, with two walks. Through a week of games, none of the backup infielder candidates have really separated from the pack.

"I knew this coming in," Bochy said. "I expected it to continue to be a fierce competition. It's not going to be easy to make the final decision. In the early going, Jimmy looks sharp. He's swinging the bat well and playing well defensively."

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Daily Gammons.com Dodgers and Giants primed for another race in 2017 Peter Gammons

GLENDALE, AR—They seem to have been bolted to one another since the end of World War II. , then Monte Irvin , and when the Dodgers tried to trade Jackie to the Giants, he refused. The Shot Heard ‘Round the World. Willie and The Duke. The Giants won in ’54, the Dodgers in ’55, and together they moved to California three years later. There was the ’62 playoff. Koufax and Drysdale vs. Marichal and Perry. Bumgarner and Kershaw. And now it seems like ’55 all over again. The Dodgers have won the National League West four straight seasons, with the Giants second behind them the last three years, and yet the Giants have won three in this decade, the Dodgers haven’t won one since Ronald Reagan was president. The perception is that the Dodgers are the Red Carpet team decked out with a $275M payroll, the Giants have stars, sure, but as Bruce Bochy puts it “when your stars are as humble as Buster Posey and , the tone is set.” When you come go to Scottsdale every spring and then talk to scouts advancing the Giants in September for the playoffs, they always talk about the fundamentals; this team, with such remarkable organization, continually carries what they practice into October. They practice fundamentals. Remember in 2014, when Brandon Crawford threw out three runners at home plate in one week in June? When he was shown the video of the three plays, he said, “I love baseball, I love being on the field, I love practicing relays.” Then Crawford proceeded to recall the play in Game Two of the in San Francisco when Prince Fielder hit a ball into the left field corner that eluded . Crawford was supposed to be the cutoff man, but Blanco overthrew him, only anticipated the play, sprinted from second base to the left field line, grabbed the overthrow and nailed Fielder trying for an inside-the-park homer and saved the 2-0 win. As coach Ron Wotus often says, “that was the biggest play of the series.” A Giant sweep. Rangers manager Jeff Bannister Wednesday talked about his team’s spring work on outfield fundamentals, pointing out that Texas led the majors in outfield errors in 2016. “When an outfielder makes an error, it usually results in big trouble,” says Bannister. The Giants in 2016 had the fewest, 8. Wonder why their pitchers led the National League in RBIs and were in the top three in OPS? Their pitchers work at their hitting. Remember how they beat a superior Cardinals team in seven games in the NLCS? Their pitchers had five hits in that series, and —who was, well, not exactly Bumgarner, had a key RBI hit and laid down a critical sacrifice bunt. And, for a team whose park limits their runs to the bottom half of the league, there is the Giants’ two strike approach. When they got to two strikes last season, their on base percentage

22 trailed only the two best approaches in the game, the Red Sox and Cubs, as opposed to an undisciplined offensive team like the Dodgers, who were 28th, slightly worse than the Rays. San Francisco’s OPS with two strikes was in the top third in the majors, better than the Blue Jays. “We have to play that way,” says Bochy. “We’re not a big offensive, home run-hitting team. We play in a ballpark that isn’t conducive to offense. We have to do the little things from defense to situational hitting to getting the bunts down against the shift if we’re going to win.” And despite a season in which the bullpen collapsed and Bumgarner left seven games with leads that the pen wasted, they still made the wild card play-in game, beat the Mets and gave the Cubs a legitimate scare in the NLDS. With Mark Melancon and younger arms, they believe those bullpen woes are solved, and if doesn’t make it all the way back, they expect former number one pick Tyler Beede to come up to the rotation during the season, and the same is true of lefthander Ty Blach , who beat Clayton Kershaw 1-0 in September. ______

TEAM OBP W/ 2 STRIKES (2016) Red Sox .277 Cubs .273 Giants .263 ______Dave Roberts , Andrew Friedman and all the Dodgers people are well aware of that two strike approach number for the Giants, and that the Dodgers were dropping their back shoulders, trying to yank to the pull side and were 29th. “It’s what we’ve emphasized all spring,” says Roberts, and you hear hitting coaches Turner Ward and Tim Hyers talk about it constantly at the cage. “It is getting better,” says Roberts. “Things are very different.” Understand, two and three years ago, in the earlier stages of this ownership and with so many name players, the Dodger culture was often called “toxic;” there’s a reason left. But the culture now is totally different. “This is a fun place to be,” says first base coach George Lombard , a thought echoed by hard-nosed . Roberts, like , brings something to his clubhouse meeting every morning. Wednesday, he arranged to have a piano brought in so that rookie pitcher Trevor Oaks could play a mini-recital. Oaks, incidentally, is one of their young pitchers whose hard sinker may play big in the second half. Almost everyone in the clubhouse points to the impact Chase Utley has on the team, especially the young players. When Utley was unsigned during the off-season, Friedman said the manager, coaches and players—especially —were constantly calling begging him to re-sign Utley. Friedman and GM kept Utley informed, and when Friedman explained that he had to first get a righthanded-hitting second baseman, Utley called him back and suggested Logan Forsythe . Which they did, and now, on either side of the superstar Seager they have classic intelligent, skilled baseball lifers in Turner and Forsythe. If Adrian Gonzalez , who is recovering from elbow problems, needs a rest during the season, the

23 next potential star in line, , could come up, and Roberts believes Bellinger can play all three outfield positions. Or Utley can play there, second or third. Chase is really intense, and he can say things to players no one else can,” says one of the star pitchers. He’s at the park studying video, reports, Pitch/FX, then hitting from two on for a night game. During games, he takes preparation swings and studies video of relievers he might face if inserted into the game. But that’s who he is. When Utley played for Brewster in the Cape Cod League, he once got to the field at one for a seven p.m. game, hit, ran, took grounders. But when the game started, he’d forgotten to eat, so he paid a batboy to get him a breadbowl of clam chowder from the concession stand. Problem is, the three hitters in front of him all swung at the first pitch, one a hit, so when it came time for him to get out of the on-deck circle, Utley had to chug the remainder of the chowder, hand the breadbowl to the batboy, go up to the plate…and rip the first pitch off the right field fence. I know a Marlins executive that was on that team, Yankee scout Matt Hyde who was the pitching coach, and they swear to it. “That’s the kind of guru every team needs,” says Hyers. “And when it’s a potential Hall of Famer who is one of the most respected persons in the game, it carries a lot of weight.” Perhaps the most surprising Dodger storyline of the spring has been the remake of catcher . During the winter, Grandal adopted a plant-based diet, and while he has good framing numbers and hit 27 homers, he looks completely different in every phase of the game. “I love this game,” says Grandal, “and I needed to get my body better. I want to be really good, and that requires a price.” “Yaz is the player that most sticks out this spring,” says Roberts. “He genuinely loves the game. Andrew (Friedman) and I will often be in my office talking about the game, everything, past midnight, and most nights Yaz is in the video room going through the calling of the game, as well as at-bats, and video of the opposing team. He is a great team guy who may be in for his breakthrough season.” What Friedman has tried to do is construct a roster with depth and alternatives. George and Judy Lombard and their kids took Yasiel Puig to dinner. Judy is Cuban, trusted by Yasiel, and they have built a relationship to try to eliminate the gaps that Yasiel sometimes lapses into when he doesn’t get things. He will play, if the gaps lessen. Pederson will play center, but has to cut down on his strikeouts and stay in on lefthanders to utilize his power. Andre Ethier has had a good spring; he has told the Dodgers he won’t waive his no-trade if they want to send him somewhere he doesn’t want to go, and would love to get released and go to Boston and rejoin his college buddy Dustin Pedroia ; in addition, his grandfather is from Worcester, and grew up playing against J.P. Ricciardi’s father. They have Andrew Toles and Scott Van Slyke and , as well as Bellinger and . Then they have close to ten potential starting pitchers. “After what we went through (using 15), we have to start with at least eight,” says Friedman.

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They have Kershaw, the best there is. Then . And . Most people then say 20-year old , but he only threw 122 innings last year between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles. He is so good, they want him being a significant contributor in September and October and finish the season at or around 170 innings, so they will mix, option and match other starters: Brandon McCarthy has been impressive and on a marine mission; is healthy, can work out of the pen or start. seems healthy. Hyun-Jin Ryu , whom Roberts has seen pitch once for 14 outs, has been a surprise, “has got his athleticism back” according to one club official, and Roberts says could be ready for the regular season. They like Brock Stewart and Ross Stripling . And down on the minor league fields, Orel Hershiser compares the arm-speed of . Buehler was the 24th pick of the 2015 draft, but the Dodgers knew that after Vanderbilt won the College World Series he needed Tommy John Surgery. He signed, pitched five innings last season, went to the Ariziona Fall League and now is throwing so well he might be a late season factor. Amazingly, Buehler, Carson Fulmer (White Sox) and Beede off that Vanderbilt staff could be in the major leagues this season, all with top prospect projections. What is also very different about these Dodgers is the staff, which is nurtured and supported by Friedman, who to anyone knows him, is at heart a baseball lifer with extraordinary people skills and appreciation of the players. Roberts could run for congress. Lombard could, as well. And this staff was clearly assembled with the all due respect for the Giants in mind. What has assembled is an organization with uncanny continuity; hey, Sabean, scout and mental skills coach Bob Tewksbury all went to Concord High School (NH). Bochy, future HOF manager, has been with the Giants since 2007. Pitching coach has held his job since 2000, and his assistant pitching coach joined him in 2003. Ron Wotus has been there since 1998, although he could well have left to manage. Hitting coach , another future manager, has been there since 2005. Sabean was made GM in 1996 by then-owner Peter Magowan and his assistant Larry Baer, who came when Magowan bought the team in ’93, and present GM Bobby Evans has been with the organization since 1994. So the Dodgers and Giants have been attached in history, and while they have dominated the National League West in this decade and they each should be very good in 2017, there is no easy road to October for the two teams. It is easy to consider this division the best in the game. Many consider the to have the best position players in the major leagues right now. When the Diamondbacks came up at a Dodger meeting, several of their executives cautioned. “They have really good pitching, and anyone who knows Mike Hazen knows that if he’s left to run it, he will change that franchise and the division.” So, if you’re the Giants or Dodgers, you play 57 games against your traditional rival and the Rockies and Diamondbacks. It makes having two, much less three, teams going out of the division to the post-season extremely difficult.

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But there was no expressway to the World Series when the Giants and Dodgers shared New York in the decade before Walter O’Malley and Horace Stoneham went to California. The rivalry, the song remains the same. But this year, it’s even more complicated, because the Rockies and the Diamondbacks are far from the Rocks and the ‘Backs of the past.

CBSsports.com Intentional walk, 30-second limit on challenges among MLB rule changes Dayn Perry

On Thursday, MLB and the Players Association announced a number of new rule changes for the 2017 season. Here are those seven changes: • The start of a no-pitch intentional walk, allowing the defensive team’s manager to signal a decision to the home plate umpire to intentionally walk the batter. Following the signal of the manager’s intention, the umpire will immediately award first base to the batter.

• A 30-second limit for a manager to decide whether to challenge a play and invoke replay review.

• When a manager has exhausted his challenges for the game, crew chiefs may now invoke replay review for non-home run calls beginning in the eighth inning instead of the seventh inning.

• A conditional two-minute guideline for replay officials to render a decision on a replay review, allowing various exceptions.

• A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders.

• An addition to Rule 5.07 formalizes an umpire interpretation by stipulating that a pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is at least one runner on base, then such an action will be called as a balk under Rule 6.02(a). If the bases are unoccupied, then it will be considered an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b).

• An amendment to Rule 5.03 requires base coaches to position themselves behind the line of the coach’s box closest to home plate and the front line that runs parallel to the foul line prior to each pitch. Once a ball is put in play, a base coach is allowed to leave the coach’s box to signal a player so long as the coach does not interfere with play. The new intentional walk rule, which will allow free passes without any pitches being thrown, has been much discussed , and now it’s official. As well, the 30-second rule on manager challenges has been an anticipated step, as is the limit on how long replay officials can take. The change to Rule 5.07 noted above may be considered a response to Carter Capps’ much-

26 discussed delivery . No real surprises here, but commissioner Rob Manfred’s continued emphasis on improving pace of play is evident once again. Further steps to this end, however, might be a bit more complicated, as Manfred is starting to get some pushback from players on this front .

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