Soria Ready to Start Anew in Royals' Bullpen

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February 15, 2017 LOCAL NATIONAL Soria ready to start anew in Royals' Royals pay tribute to Yordano bullpen Ventura as spring training begins February 14, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com February 14, 2017 By Jerry Crasnick/ESPN.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/215977666/joakim- http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18686202/kansas-city- soria-moving-forward-after-tough-2016/ royals-pay-tribute-yordano-ventura-begin-spring-training Royals' bullpen doesn't have shortage As the Royals try to cope with of arms Yordano Ventura's death, they find February 14, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com pain and hope http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/215987574/royals- February 14, 2017 By Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports bullpen-has-plenty-of-options-for-2017/ https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/as-the-royals-try-to-cope- Flynn sidelined by broken rib in barn with-yordano-venturas-death-they-find-pain-and-hope- accident 031025116.html February 14, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com Tillman won't be ready for Opening http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/215991364/brian-flynn- Day breaks-rib-during-barn-accident/ Right shoulder pain could put starter on DL to HDH era is over, but Royals still begin season believe they can build a shutdown February 14, 2017 By Brittany Ghiroli/MLB.com bullpen http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/215990770/chris- tillman-wont-be-ready-for-opening-day/ February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- Gardenhire diagnosed with prostate royals/article132740694.html cancer Mike Trout, Manny Machado reach D-backs bench coach will take leave of absence out to Royals after death of Yordano to undergo surgery Ventura February 14, 2017 By Matt Kelly/MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/215985048/ron- February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star gardenhire-diagnosed-with-prostate-cancer/ http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article132759334.html Cards' Reyes will undergo Tommy Royals manager Ned Yost on Joakim John surgery Soria: ‘He’s got to bounce back’ No. 6-ranked prospect in MLB to miss season February 14, 2017 By Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://m.mlb.com/news/article/215977432/alex-reyes-to- http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- have-tommy-john-surgery/ royals/article132767664.html Royals pitcher Brian Flynn fell MLB TRANSACTIONS February 15, 2017 •.CBSSports.com through the roof of his barn; he’s out http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions eight weeks February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- LOCAL royals/article132655519.html Five other Royals who were injured in Soria ready to start anew in Royals' freak off-the-field accidents bullpen February 14, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star February 14, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/215977666/joakim- petes-sake/article132690844.html soria-moving-forward-after-tough-2016/ Royals’ Danny Duffy pledges $500 per Royals reliever Joakim Soria isn't going to harp on his 2016 strikeout to Noah’s Bandage Project season, and he had a message for anyone who may still want February 14, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star to: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article132612049.html "You just have to move on," Soria said, smiling. "And I hope you guys move on, too." Pitcher’s fielding practice and why the small stuff matters Soria, who finished 5-8 with a 4.05 ERA and eight blown February 14, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star saves in 2016, said he had no issue flushing the memory of http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- last season. blogs/judging-the-royals/article132615904.html "I did it day one," Soria said. "I didn't give myself the whole offseason to think about what went right or what went wrong. It was just a [bad] year." "We feel we're better off with Strahm and Minor in the Neither Soria nor the Royals had any explanation for his bullpen," Yost said. "Do we feel Strahm is still a starter in the struggles. Soria's velocity -- which hit 95 mph at times -- was long term? Absolutely." a few ticks higher than his glory days with the Royals years ago. Strahm (1.23 ERA in 21 games in 2016) likely will join right-handers Joakim Soria and closer Kelvin Herrera in the "His stuff was very good," manager Ned Yost said. "His back of the bullpen. velocity was good. It was just a command issue." Add two long relievers among Young, Wood, or Karns, and Said Soria, "It was just one of those years. It happens. You five spots already appear taken. That leaves a long list of put that away and move forward. candidates fighting for one or two spots.

"This is what I love to do. It's not that I don't think about it. The list includes left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, and right- But you have to move forward. In any job, you have rough handers Josh Staumont, Kyle Zimmer, Al Alburquerque, years or rough months. But you have to move forward. Brandon League, Bobby Parnell, Chris Withrow and Seth Maness, to name a few. "I challenged guys last year. Then, you learn from that." "It'll all sort itself out over the next six or seven weeks," Yost Soria, who signed a three-year, $25 million deal prior to said. "It always does. And the great thing about Spring 2016, saved 143 games for the Royals from 2008-2011 and Training is that there is always one or two surprises that was a two-time All-Star. He insists he wasn't trying to could come out of that list. That's why we're down here." impress anyone last year upon his return to Kansas City. Flynn sidelined by broken rib in barn "Not really," Soria said. "I enjoyed the time I was here before accident and competed at the highest level in the world. But I never February 14, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com tried to impress anyone last year. They know what I had. I http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/215991364/brian-flynn- gave 100 percent. I don't have regrets from last year because breaks-rib-during-barn-accident/ every time I was out there I was prepared and gave 100 percent effort. Left-hander Brian Flynn, a candidate to possibly make the Royals' bullpen, will miss at least eight weeks after "The results sometimes weren't there, but that's something I sustaining a broken rib while falling through the roof of a can't control." barn at his home.

This year's bullpen won't look the same without closer Wade Royals manager Ned Yost confirmed the injury after Davis and setup man Luke Hochevar. There will be plenty of Tuesday's workout. Flynn, 26, was doing some work at his new faces. home in McAlester, Okla., when the accident occurred.

"I think we got a good bullpen," Soria said. "We've got very "He was working on his barn and fell through the roof," Yost talented guys in the bullpen. I think we're going to be just said. "So he took a pretty good tumble, knocked himself out. fine." He's going to be eight weeks behind everyone else." Royals' bullpen doesn't have shortage Flynn, who is out of options, also sustained three non- of arms displaced fractures in his vertebrae. He could be a candidate February 14, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com to start the season on the disabled list. http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/215987574/royals- bullpen-has-plenty-of-options-for-2017/ Flynn had a 2.60 ERA in 36 appearances last season and would have been in stiff competition for a roster spot this A Royals coach walked through the clubhouse early Tuesday spring. morning, turned to a reporter and said with a laugh, "I better HDH era is over, but Royals still go look at some name tags. I have never met half of these guys." believe they can build a shutdown bullpen There are plenty of new faces in 2017, mostly pitchers who February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star will be vying for a precious few bullpen spots. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article132740694.html With the addition of left-hander Travis Wood (the club has not officially announced his two-year deal), it would appear Back in December, in the days after the trade that reshaped the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation will be the Royals bullpen, reliever Kelvin Herrera pulled out his among Wood, and right-handers Nathan Karns and Chris phone and sent a text message to former closer Wade Davis. Young. You could perhaps view the brief conversation that followed The two who lose that competition will head to a very as some sort of passing of the torch. But Herrera says he crowded bullpen. simply wanted to wish his friend well. If not a vocal leader, Davis had become something like a Pitch Whisperer in the Manager Ned Yost indicated as well that left-handers Matt Kansas City bullpen, offering tips on mechanics or observing Strahm and Mike Minor -- once thought of as rotation subtle changes on grips. With Davis headed to the Chicago candidates -- also will be bullpen arms. Cubs in a trade for outfielder Jorge Soler, Herrera understood one thing: Davis would be missed. “We lost a huge piece of our bullpen,” Herrera said. rotation spot will likely come down to Chris Young, Karns or Wood, whose two-year, $12 million contract is expected to On Tuesday morning in Surprise, Royals pitchers and become official this week. The two losing pitchers could find catchers gathered for their first official workout of the spring, themselves in the bullpen. and if you gazed around the room, it was easy to think about what was missing. For years, the club was defined by a In this way, the numbers add up quickly. If Strahm and dominating bullpen, once anchored by the devastating trio of Minor take advantage of the spring opportunity, they could Herrera, Davis and Greg Holland, and now just one piece of join Herrera, Soria, and two pieces of Karns, Young and that formula remains. Herrera, a two-time All-Star, is ready Wood. If the Royals elect to utilize a seven-man bullpen, that to assume the role of closer. But the rest of the bullpen would mean six spots occupied and one vacant spot for a remains fluid. internal option or a possible reclamation project.

“It’s wait and see,” Royals manager Ned Yost said on One reliever who will not begin the season in the bullpen is Tuesday. “It’s wait and see who takes the job. All the roles left-hander Brian Flynn, who broke a rib and sustained three are open with the exception of probably Kel. non-displaced fractures in his vertebrae while falling through the roof of his barn in the days before camp. Flynn, who “We know what Kel is going to do. He’s gonna close. We got posted a 2.60 ERA in 36 appearances last year, is expected to a lot of spots and a lot of names to compete for the rest of miss eight weeks, but a list of intriguing names remains. those things.” Former Cardinals reliever Seth Maness joined the Royals on As the 2017 season approaches, club officials remain a minor-league deal on Monday. The club will also look at a confident that the roster contains the necessary ingredients group of nonroster invitees that includes Brandon League, for a shutdown bullpen. But the ensuing competition could be Ryan Withrow, Al Alburquerque and Jonathan Sanchez, a one of the more intriguing story lines of camp. A season ago, long-shot candidate who crashed out in his first stint with the the Royals relief corps tied for second in the American Royals in 2012. The collection of homegrown possibilities League in bullpen ERA at 3.45 but a rash of late-inning could include right-handers Kevin McCarthy, Kyle Zimmer blowups tainted a group that once helped the franchise to two and Josh Staumont and southpaw Eric Skoglund, among straight World Series appearances and a championship. others.

From 2013-15, the Royals logged a 2.85 bullpen ERA, Zimmer, a 25-year-old former first-round pick, is seeking to suppressing homers and strangling the life out of opponents rebuild his stock after years of injuries, while Staumont, 23, in historically dominant fashion. But now the organization can unleash a 100 mph fastball on opposing hitters. One must piece together another vaunted bullpen without the right wrinkle: Staumont is not yet a member of the 40-man roster, arms of Holland or Davis. which could hurt his chances if the Royals seek to conserve roster inventory as the season begins. “The names are different,” Yost said. “But I think we’re going to fill the bullpen out fine.” For now, the Royals are prepared to take a patient approach. In some ways, a spring camp is closer to a 10K than a sprint, Yost offered some clarity Tuesday by confirming left- and there will be more surprises, more plot twists. But as the handers Matt Strahm and Mike Minor will be slotted as routine begins, Yost is confident the organization has the relievers entering the regular season. Strahm, 25, is coming arms to make it work. off a dynamic debut in the bullpen last season, but he also spent most of 2016 as a starter at Class AA Northwest “Over the course of the next six weeks,” Yost said, “It’ll iron Arkansas. Minor is a former Braves starter who missed last it itself out.” year because of a nagging shoulder injury. He is also slated Mike Trout, Manny Machado reach to make $4 million, which could offer incentive to put him on the 25-man roster. out to Royals after death of Yordano Ventura “Just keeping him healthy, that’s the thing,” Yost said. February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star “That’s why moving him to the pen, we can get him http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- acclimated in that role.” royals/article132759334.html The Royals believe Strahm possesses a future as a starting In the days after Yordano Ventura was killed in a car crash in pitcher, but with the addition of Jason Hammel, Nathan his native Dominican Republic, Royals players heard from Karns and Travis Wood to the roster, the club appears friends and rivals all across the league. comfortable putting Strahm in the back of the pen. But two of those messages perhaps stood out. The Royals “Do we view Strahm as a starter long-term? Absolutely,” received condolences from Los Angeles Angels center fielder Yost said. “But a stint in the bullpen is not going to hurt his Mike Trout and Baltimore’s Manny Machado, two All-Stars development whatsoever.” who butted heads with Ventura during on-field incidents in 2015 and 2016. In addition to Herrera and Strahm at the back, the Royals will also count on a bounce-back performance from reliever Trout, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player, Joakim Soria, who is entering the second season of a three- was involved in a stare-down with Ventura in April 2015, the year, $25 million contract. Two other bullpen spots could benches clearing in Anaheim after Ventura escalated the hinge on the competition for the fifth starter spot. situation. Ventura had appeared to take umbrage after Trout drilled a fastball up the middle. The situation boiled over The Royals enter camp with four locks in their starting when Trout crossed the plate. rotation, beginning with Danny Duffy and Ian Kennedy at the top and Jason Vargas and Hammel in the middle. The final Machado, meanwhile, charged the mound against Ventura after being hit by a pitch last June in Baltimore, inciting a All winter, Soria did not spend much time thinking about his brawl at Camden Yards. Both players were suspended after mistakes last season, nor did he dig too deep into the film or the incident. the numbers. But he is putting a focus on shoring up his command, he said. For now, that’s where he will start. But after the tragedy, Hosmer said, the incidents meant little. “Last year, I threw harder than usual,” Soria said. “I felt “Both those guys reached out and made that sure we were all strong last year. But obviously, the results weren’t there. But right,” Hosmer said. I’ll try to have great command.” Royals pitcher Brian Flynn fell Royals manager Ned Yost also spent much of the last month hearing from friends around baseball. On Monday, he said he through the roof of his barn; he’s out was not surprised to hear that Trout and Machado had eight weeks reached out, calling both players “pros.” February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- “It just says we’re all competitors and they understand the royals/article132655519.html competitive nature of (baseball),” Yost said. “Everybody knows that this game is meant to be competed fiercely and Baseball history is flooded with tales of bizarre injuries, from hard. And our guys understand that. Mike Trout understands dangerous flying drones, to falling asleep in a tanning bed, to that. Because he competes just as hard. And so does Manny. rushing into the family room to watch former major-league first baseman Bill Buckner hit. Yes, George Brett did that on “It’s one of those things where you kind of lose your temper an off day in 1983 and somehow broke his toe on the door a little bit when it’s happening. But when it’s all said and jam. done, it’s part of the game.” Royals manager Ned Yost on Joakim But on the first day of spring training, the Royals revealed a Soria: ‘He’s got to bounce back’ strong contender for the strangest baseball injury of 2017. February 14, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star Days before he departed for camp, reliever Brian Flynn http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- crashed through the roof of a barn at his home in McAlester, royals/article132767664.html Okla., breaking a rib and sustaining three non-displaced fractures in his vertebrae, Royals manager Ned Yost said on Royals reliever Joakim Soria is not one to dwell on the past. Tuesday. Flynn, a 26-year-old left-hander, is slated to miss Case in point: After returning to Kansas City and suffering close to eight weeks. He entered camp hoping to compete for through a nightmarish 2016 season, Soria said it took him all a spot in a revamped Royals’ bullpen, but the injury stands as of 24 hours to flush the memory and move forward. a significant setback. “Day one,” Soria said. “He was working on his barn and fell through the roof,” Yost said. “So he took a pretty good tumble, knocked himself out. The performance was not pleasant, of course. In 2016, Soria So he’s going to be about eight weeks behind everybody posted a 4.05 ERA and recorded a club-high seven blown else.” saves. According to “Win Probability Added.” an advanced metric that measures a pitcher’s impact on a game, he was The revelation came at the end of Yost’s interview session the third-worst reliever in baseball. It was not what he had with reporters following the first official workout of the envisioned after returning to the Royals on a three-year, $25 spring. Flynn did not take part in the workout, though he million contract. appeared in good spirits earlier in the morning, walking through the clubhouse and sitting in front of his locker. “It’s not that I don’t think about it,” Soria said. “But you have to move forward. It’s like in any job, you have rough Flynn was not available to discuss the injury on Tuesday days, you have rough years. But you have to move forward. afternoon. But in an earlier conversation with a Star reporter, he did not offer any signs of discomfort. He talked positively “If you’re stuck, you’re just going to be stuck your whole about his offseason, discussing his recent marriage and move life. And I don’t see myself that way.” to McAlester. Soria is expected to slot somewhere in the middle of the A Tulsa native and former standout at Wichita State, Flynn Royals’ relief corps. He appears unlikely to begin the season posted a 2.60 ERA in 55 1/3 innings across 36 appearances as the primary setup man for closer Kelvin Herrera. Still, in 2016. It was his first season in the major leagues since Royals manager Ned Yost remains confident that Soria will being acquired from the Marlins in a trade that sent right- rebound. hander Aaron Crow to Miami before the 2015 season. The performance last year came on the heels of an injury-plagued “He’s got to bounce back from what he did last year,” Yost 2015. Flynn began that season at Class AAA Omaha after a said. “(Soria) could still close, in my estimation. And do I strong spring training but missed the rest of the year after think he’ll bounce back? Yeah. But setting roles in the first injuring his latissimus dorsi muscle during his first outing day of spring training? No, we’re not doing that.” with the Storm Chasers. For now, Soria would just like to move on. In some ways, he Now Flynn must confront another injury, a freak instance was humbled last season. But he has never backed down that will join the long list of baseball aches and pains. Among from a challenge, he said. Still, some of the frustration from the truly weird: Last October, Indians starter Trevor Bauer 2016 still lingers. For example: During an extended interview mangled a finger while cleaning his flying drone. In 2006, with reporters Tuesday, he quipped: “And I hope you guys Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya strained his wrist while playing move on, too.” the video game “Guitar Hero.” And once, former Royals The left-handed Bale was recovering from a fatigued reliever Jeremy Affeldt sliced open his hand while trying to shoulder in 2008, and apparently wasn’t happy with the separate frozen hamburger patties during a barbecue. speed of his return. Bale punched a door at the team hotel in Five other Royals who were injured in Cleveland and broke his hand. His pitching hand. freak off-the-field accidents “I’m not pleased, obviously,” manager Trey Hillman said at February 14, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star the time. “Players have to think before they do things.” http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- petes-sake/article132690844.html Bonus

The good news is that Royals left-hander Brian Flynn wasn’t This doesn’t fit the bill of an injury, but pitcher Kelvin more seriously injured. Herrera and Alex Rios both came down with the chicken pox during the 2015 season. Royals manager Ned Yost revealed Tuesday that Flynn fell Royals’ Danny Duffy pledges $500 per through the roof of his barn in Oklahoma shortly before the start of spring training. Flynn broke a rib and sustained three strikeout to Noah’s Bandage Project non-displaced fractures in his vertebrae. February 14, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- It’s not the first time that a Royals player has suffered a freak royals/article132612049.html injury. Here are five other incidents. After signing a new multi-million contract with the Royals Mark Quinn last month, left-hander Danny Duffy is looking to give some of that money back. Quinn, an outfielder, missed spring training in 2002 after he broke a rib while Kung-Fu fighting with his brother. And it’s to a good cause.

“I was just kind of playing around with my brother, doing a Duffy is donating $500 for every strikeout this season to little Kung-Fu sparring,” Quinn told The Star at the time. Noah’s Bandage Project. That non-profit makes colorful “There’s limited space in my condo, and I was backing up, bandages for kids while also raising funds for pediatric tripped and fell.” cancer research. It is named for Noah Wilson, who died in 2015 at the age 7. He had a rare bone cancer called Ewing’s When he fell, Quinn’s back hit the edge of a wooden chair, sarcoma that went into remission after a lengthy treatment causing the fracture. period. Months later Noah was diagnosed with a secondary cancer, acute myelogenous leukemia. George Brett Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer and KCSP-AM radio host In 1983, Brett was doing laundry when he heard that Bill Bob Fescoe introduced Wilson’s parents to Duffy and his Buckner was coming to bat. As Brett ran to the television, wife, Sara. Brett hit a door jam and broke a toe. “I was completely attached immediately,” Duffy said. “We That landed him on the disabled list. got to meet a bunch of other children going through similar things as Noah. When you see it first hand and meet these Kevin Appier kids, you already know how awful it is before. But they’re just so strong and it’s so inspiring to be around them and you Appier appeared in just three games in 1998 after having care so very deeply about them.” surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. While a clear connection was never made, the injury may have been Duffy has started an online site for fans to donate to Noah’s the result of when Appier fell off his porch while carrying Bandage Project, which you can find here. For him, helping baby-shower gifts for his sister in November 1997. kids fight cancer is a no-brainer.

Appier had three ligaments repaired around his collarbone “It’s awful when anyone has it, and that’s obvious,” Duffy after the fall. But at spring training, Appier’s velocity was said. “Your heart goes out to kids — at least mine does — down considerably and he had the surgery on his labrum. because they have so many goals. They see the world through rose-colored lenses. It’s hard to see such a pure, wonderful Jeremy Giambi soul have to undergo that kind of trauma.” Pitcher’s fielding practice and why the In 1999, Giambi needed staples in his head and stitches near his eye after he said a toolbox fell on his head. small stuff matters February 14, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star If that sounds silly, it is. Mike Sweeney recounted what http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- really happened on that June day. After fishing with Sweeney blogs/judging-the-royals/article132615904.html and Jed Hansen, Giambi found a four-wheel ATV vehicle at Kevin Appier’s farm. Tuesday is the first workout for Royals first pitchers and catchers. Manager Ned Yost doesn’t check with me before Despite saying he had experience driving an ATV, Giambi making a decision, but the odds are pretty good the workout flipped the vehicle on its top and was injured. However, he will include PFPs. It’s how most teams start spring training. wasn’t placed on the disabled list. PFP stands for Pitcher’s Fielding Practice, although I have on John Bale occasion heard players substitute another F-word for “Fielding.” So here’s what the Royals pitchers will be After the piece was posted someone who probably didn’t working on: play a whole bunch of baseball left a comment ridiculing the idea by saying something along the lines of: “Oh, yeah, that’s A coach will hit a fungo to someone positioned where the how games are won — doing the small things right in BP.” first baseman stands and a pitcher will race from the mound (If you hadn’t already guessed, the comment was sarcastic.) to first base. Somewhere along the way, the guy acting as first baseman will throw the ball to the pitcher and the pitcher Then another reader who had served in the military said that will catch the ball and then tag first base. was exactly how ballgames — and battles — were won: the military drills and drills so when the excrement hits the fan, It sounds simple, but it’s not. they’ll do the right thing under pressure. Guess what; drill sergeants don’t really care how you make your bed — they Pitchers have to run the right route care that you learn to do things right under pressure.

Let’s say the pitcher is late or lazy and decides to run a Just a reminder straight line to first base; that means he’ll cross the bag as he steps on it and that puts him in the base path. And that means On Tuesday, the Royals pitchers will work on covering first the base runner has the perfect right to run the pitcher over. base for the ten thousandth time in their career. Starting spring training with something very basic — PFPs — is a You don’t see it as much these days — everyone’s afraid of way of reminding everyone how important it is to do the getting hurt — but if a tough guy decides to knock the heck small stuff right. out of the pitcher, the pitcher’s straight-line route gives the tough-guy runner the chance. Former Royals coach Doug Sisson once told me that a whole bunch of different kinds of teams had won the World Series; To avoid all that, pitchers are taught to run to the foul line, the “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates, the Oakland A’s then turn and run parallel with the foul line to the bag. That who seemed to spend as much time fighting each other as way they never cross the runner’s path; they’re both running their opponents, teams that hit home runs, teams that played in the same direction. The pitcher tags the inside part of the small ball — but nobody wins without good fundamentals. bag while the runner tags the outside part of the bag and that prevents collisions; intentional or otherwise. As you watch this 2017 season unfold, pay attention to the small stuff — it matters. And it’s why pitchers have to take off right away; wait a beat and the pitcher might have to run straight to the bag to beat the runner. And don’t be surprised if the pitcher late to the NATIONAL bag is a lefty; they fall off to the third-base side so they’re already a few steps behind. Any delay can mean not getting an out that was there for the taking or — even worse — an Royals pay tribute to Yordano injured pitcher. Ventura as spring training begins February 14, 2017 By Jerry Crasnick/ESPN.com Catching the ball http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18686202/kansas-city- royals-pay-tribute-yordano-ventura-begin-spring-training Assuming the pitcher takes off right away, gets to the line and then runs parallel with it, he then holds his glove up The Kansas City Royals left a locker stall open for Yordano chest high and whoever fields the ball will try to hit him in Ventura and wore patches on their jerseys in his memory as the chest; but this has to be done before the pitcher gets to the they held their first spring training workout Tuesday -- three bag. weeks after the 25-year-old pitcher died in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic. That way the pitcher gets to focus on catching the ball and only then focus on touching the bag. If the pitcher is late or The Royals wore black patches with the inscription "Ace 30'' the throw is late, the pitcher is then trying to do two things at inscribed in white lettering, in reference to Ventura's once: catch the ball while trying to step on the bag at the nickname and uniform number. Team officials said the same time and we’ve all seen how well that works out. players will continue to wear the patches on their game uniforms and batting practice jerseys throughout the 2017 The importance of doing the small stuff right season.

If you found this explanation of how a pitcher covers first "He's one of our teammates, one of our brothers,'' said pitcher base boring and overly complicated, you now know how a lot Chris Young. "We miss him, and this is a reminder that he's of ballplayers feel. Everybody gets the same speech, every always with us and we should honor him every time we step season. Some coach will explain how this is supposed to be out on that field. Don't take this for granted. Life can be done and some pitcher at the back of the crowd will be fleeting. We're going to play with the same passion and rolling his eyes and thinking about where he’s going to eat intensity that he had.'' dinner that night. Ventura, an important part of two pennant-winning teams in And that’s the guy who’s going to screw this up when it Kansas City, was killed in a one-car accident on the Juan matters. Adrian Highway in San Jose de Ocoa, D.R., on Jan. 22. He signed with the Royals as a 17-year-old free agent in 2008, I once wrote a piece about watching batting practice with and posted a 38-31 record with a 3.89 ERA in 94 career Dayton Moore and how Dayton watched guys to see if they appearances with Kansas City. were doing the small stuff right, even though it was just BP. In the spacious home clubhouse at Surprise Stadium, the Royals are keeping a locker empty between relievers Kelvin Herrera and Joakim Soria. A placard with the "Ace 30'' on the first day of spring training, where pitchers and inscription sits atop the locker. They plan to do the same catchers reported, where almost all of the Royals’ players when they arrive at Kauffman Stadium to begin the regular were already because being early is practically mandatory, season. where a locker sat empty, memorializing the man that should’ve been there. "It's sad,'' Soria said. "You remember the energy that he brought to the ballclub and it's sad just to see an empty locker “It’s becoming real,” Duffy said. “That’s the reality of it, now.'' man. We’re not going to see him again. It’s tough. It’s definitely tough. But we’re going to have a year that all of us General manager Dayton Moore said that senior director of will not soon forget.” team travel and clubhouse operations Jeff Davenport designed the uniform patches, which were approved by club The Royals are still trying to find the right balance to their president Dan Glass. The Royals are planning additional cocktail of optimism and grief. Duffy was smiling at the tributes to Ventura this season, but are still working on the special handshake he and Ventura shared before every game specifics. and their back-and-forth about how they spoke – Ventura’s gigabit-speed Spanish and Duffy’s languid California "Honestly, I've kind of left it up to the players,'' Moore said. monotone. Spend eight months in a clubhouse with a guy … "It's about how they want to deal with it and manage it spend all those days you’re not pitching on the bench with personally and professionally. We've tried to respect what him … spend pitchers’ meetings with him … spend a their desire is. (Catcher) Salvador Perez came to me and I magical October together, as they did in 2015 – do all that, said, 'Salvy, we'll do whatever you guys want to do.'' and you get to know a guy. As the Royals try to cope with And as much as Ventura could annoy the Royals, and as Yordano Ventura's death, they find much as his partying did make them fear something like what pain and hope happened, he was their little brother, the one they expected to grow into something even better than them. Like Ventura February 14, 2017 By Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports before him, Duffy signed a long-term contract extension with https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/as-the-royals-try-to-cope- the Royals this offseason, locking him in for half a decade. with-yordano-venturas-death-they-find-pain-and-hope- They were going to do great things together. They were 031025116.html going to win another championship. Day after day, the locker kept filling up. At first, Danny Then the text came. Duffy saw it after a run. Alex Gordon, Duffy tried the surreptitious route, jumping on eBay with an the longest-tenured Royal, sent it to a group of players. Ace anonymous account, bidding on memorabilia, gathering was gone. He’d died in a car accident. Duffy tried to process items to send to a grieving woman he never has met. This it. He struggled. He needed … something. So he reached out was his duty. A million things would be said about Yordano to his teammate, Christian Colon, and suggested they head to Ventura, a million more written, a million more thought. But Kauffman Stadium, where fans had gone to pay their what could he do? That’s what Duffy kept asking himself. respects. When he arrived, Duffy started to embrace strangers. He could help her remember. The Kansas City Royals lost a pitcher, and the players lost a friend, and the fans lost a “Selfishly, it helped us out a lot, too,” he said. “We saw beacon, but Marisol Hernandez – she lost a son. He was 25, people who cared about him as much as we did. I thought it driving on a Dominican highway, and a crash took him from was the right thing to do. If anybody out there needed a hug, her forever. She would never forget, of course, but if even for I’d hug on them.” a moment she did, Duffy wanted her to be able to look at a few things that captured him at his finest, in a Royals Time has passed, and the sting fades a little every day, and he uniform, and remind her the impact her son created in but a realizes, just like the Marlins did with Jose Fernandez, like quarter century. the Cardinals did with Oscar Taveras, like the Angels did with Nick Adenhart, like every team that loses a brother to So Duffy logged into the auction site, bid $100 on a something so senseless, that life continues and all they can do bobblehead, won it and put in the address: 1 Royal Way. The is honor Ventura in a deserving fashion. seller noticed, someone tweeted about it and the kind gesture found an unexpected audience. At first, Duffy chafed at the “We’ll play for him,” Duffy said. “We’ll play for each other, publicity, but then something wonderful started to happen. really, really hard. Harder than you’ve ever seen us play. I’ve Someone sent him a limited-edition baseball card of Ventura, never been through something like this before. Neither have 1 of 1. And another person sent a different Ventura any of these other dudes. It’s going to be difficult. We’ll have bobblehead. And a different person sent Ventura’s Lego to lean on each other a lot.” likeness. And others sent handwritten notes. And the mail just kept coming, volumes of it, enough that Duffy’s locker at In seven weeks, when spring training is over, when his time Kauffman Stadium turned into a makeshift memorial to his pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic is teammate, his friend. exhausted and another season beckons, Duffy will head back to Kansas City for another year. He’s excited for the season, “It just speaks to how awesome Kansas City is,” Duffy said. for everything it holds. He’s excited, too, to go to the stadium “We’re lucky to play there.” and see the new treasures that have arrived, the notes, the cards, the trinkets, all the things to send to Marisol Nobody inside the Royals organization knew quite how to Hernandez to let her know that her son may be gone but react when Ventura, a resplendent talent who they believed Kansas City cannot, will not, forget him. was on the cusp of greatness, died Jan. 22. Sadness overwhelmed them, but the immediacy of the shock would Tillman won't be ready for Opening pass, and that’s when the confusion set in. It crystallized here Day Right shoulder pain could put starter on DL to February 14, 2017 By Matt Kelly/MLB.com begin season http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/215985048/ron- gardenhire-diagnosed-with-prostate-cancer/ February 14, 2017 By Brittany Ghiroli/MLB.com http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/215990770/chris- D-backs bench coach Ron Gardenhire announced Tuesday tillman-wont-be-ready-for-opening-day/ that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Chris Tillman, Baltimore's Opening Day starter the past three Gardenhire, 59, said he will be taking a leave of absence seasons, received a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection in from the team soon to undergo surgery to have his prostate December for lingering shoulder issues and will not be ready removed. by Opening Day. "I'm going to fight it and deal with it," said Gardenhire, who "Chris came to [head athletic trainer] Richie [Bancells] and was set to begin his first season in Arizona after the team the staff in December, didn't like the way his offseason hired him this past November. "It's a bump in the road, and program was going, his shoulder didn't feel like it should be it's not how I envisioned starting Spring Training with a where it should be at that time," Orioles manager Buck brand-new team. It's part of life. Showalter said of Tillman, who was shut down for three weeks following the PRP injection. "With the backing of this ballclub, we'll get through it, and I'll get through it." "We got it mapped out where he'll be one of our five starters to start the season, but right now Opening Day probably Gardenhire is a former American League Manager of the won't be an option." Year Award winner who skippered the Twins to a 1,068- 1,039 record and six postseason appearances from 2002-14. Showalter noted that the team's schedule -- which has Previously, Gardenhire spent 11 seasons as Minnesota's Tillman slated to start pitchers' fielding practice on March 3 third-base coach, including the team's second World Series and throw a simulated game on the 14th -- is "pretty tight" championship in 1991, after a five-year big league career and it doesn't allow much room for setbacks.' with the Mets from 1981-85. Tillman, who is slated to talk to the media on Wednesday The D-backs' coaching and front office staff voiced their morning, had some shoulder issues flare up during last support for Gardenhire as part of a team statement. season but was able to avoid the disabled list. Asked if this recent issue was related to those problems, Showalter said: "I "We are a family," said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "As think so. He got rid of it and managed it real well, and we a family, there's a series of tests that are going to come upon rested him. When he cranked it back up this offseason, it us, and this is a big one, but we're going to come together and wasn't responding like he wanted it to." help Gardy through this to the best of our ability." With the Orioles early off-days, they don't need a fifth starter Added general manager Mike Hazen: "It says a lot about until April 15, which gives them some wiggle room and the Gardy that his first thought when he told us about his potential to put Tillman on the disabled list and carry an extra diagnosis was that he didn't want to be a distraction to the player elsewhere when they break camp. team. We are all behind him and, of course, our first concern is with getting him healthy and tackling this the way he plans Showalter said it isn't a definite that Tillman will open the to -- head on." season on the disabled list -- though if it happens he could be eligible to pitch as early as April 9. Tillman has a 75-pitch Cards' Reyes will undergo Tommy outing slated for April 6, which could be part of a rehab game John surgery or the April 7 Orioles game vs. the Yankees. No. 6-ranked prospect in MLB to miss season February 14, 2017 By Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com Regardless of when he's ready, the Orioles want to make sure http://m.mlb.com/news/article/215977432/alex-reyes-to- this isn't another lingering issue for the 28-year-old Tillman, have-tommy-john-surgery/ who went 16-6 with a 3.77 ERA in 30 starts in 2016. Highly ranked prospect Alex Reyes will miss the 2017 "We are going to make sure we get it right. This is as fast as season after an MRI revealed a complete tear of the ulnar we feel comfortable going safely," Showalter said. "I've got collateral ligament in his right elbow. high hopes that when we get this resolved, he pitches all year for us." Reyes, 22, underwent the imaging test on Tuesday after notifying the Cardinals of elbow discomfort. The scan was So, who pitches Opening Day? examined by team physician Dr. George Paletta, who confirmed that Reyes requires Tommy John surgery. The The O's entered Spring Training with their rotation seemingly images have been sent to Dr. James Andrews for a second set, so Tillman's injury whittles the list of candidates to face opinion, but the Cardinals do not expect the diagnosis to Toronto on April 3 to four: Kevin Gausman, Ubaldo Jimenez, change. Wade Miley and Dylan Bundy. The early favorite seems to be Gausman, who is coming off a fantastic final two months General manager John Mozeliak said Reyes will likely have of the season, though Showalter wouldn't tip his hand this the surgery on Thursday. It will be performed by Paletta. early on. Gardenhire diagnosed with prostate Reyes first notified the Redbirds of arm discomfort late last cancer week, and the club recommended the imaging scan after running Reyes through a physical exam at their complex. D-backs bench coach will take leave of absence to undergo surgery Reyes has been pitching with a compromised ligament in his right elbow since at least 2013, when he was diagnosed with Indians Narveson Contract an elbow strain. He made his season debut on June 20 of that year.

The surgery will wipe out a season in which Reyes was Collin Signed, ( 2017)(wins expected to contribute at the big league level. And he's no Houston Astros longer in line to pitch for the Dominican Republic team in McHugh arbitration) next month's World Baseball Classic.

"Any time you're taking someone to go get an MRI it's not great news," Mozeliak said on Tuesday. Kansas City Signed as Free Agent, ( 2017- Travis Wood Indications that something was amiss with Reyes began in Royals 2018)(two-year contract) the morning when he dressed out of his workout clothes and left the complex. He returned shortly after but did not throw his scheduled bullpen session. As the Cardinals were wrapping up their first official workout, Reyes departed to Milwaukee Chase Signed, ( 2017)(loses undergo the additional testing. Brewers Anderson arbitration) Regardless of whether the Cards envisioned Reyes breaking camp on the Major League roster, he was expected to be a key piece of the 2017 club. Ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the No. 6 prospect in baseball, Reyes debuted last August and Milwaukee Signed to a Minor League added to the hype by showcasing an advanced arsenal of Nick Noonan pitches. Brewers Contract

The right-hander appeared in 12 games (five starts) for St. Louis last season and posted a 1.57 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 46 innings. Reyes was moved permanently to the rotation New York Mets Ty Kelly Outrighted to Minors in mid-September and led the team to wins in each of his subsequent starts.

"You never want somebody to walk in the first day [and deal San Francisco David Signed to a Minor League with this]," manager Mike Matheny said. "I don't care who it is." Giants Hernandez Contract MLB TRANSACTIONS February 15, 2017 •.CBSSports.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions St. Louis Michael Signed, ( 2017)(loses TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION Cardinals Wacha arbitration)

Arizona Taijuan Signed, ( 2017)(loses Tampa Bay Eddie Designated for Assignment Diamondbacks Walker arbitration) Rays Gamboa

Baltimore Juan Signed to a Minor League Tampa Bay Signed, ( 2017)(wins Jake Odorizzi Orioles Francisco Contract Rays arbitration)

Placed on 60-Day DL, (Bone Traded From from Rays, Cincinnati Reds Homer Bailey Eddie spurs, right elbow) Texas Rangers Tampa Bay (for cash Gamboa considerations)

Acquired Off Waivers From Cincinnati Reds Nefi Ogando from Pirates, Pittsburgh Placed on 60-Day DL, Texas Rangers Prince Fielder (Herniated discs in neck)

Cleveland Chris Signed to a Minor League Placed on 60-Day DL, Texas Rangers Jake Diekman (Ulcerative colitis)

Toronto Blue Marcus Signed, ( 2017)(wins Jays Stroman arbitration)

Washington Signed as Free Agent, ( 2017; Adam Lind Nationals Opt 2018)(one-year contract)