Karns, Herrera in Top Form for Royals

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March 7, 2017 LOCAL Royals’ Danny Duffy throws support behind ballot question for new animal Karns, Herrera in top form for Royals shelter March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com March 6, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171476/d-backs- http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- robbie-ray-kcs-karns-shine-monday/ petes-sake/article136702238.html Moustakas makes 'hat-tipping' return Why you shouldn’t take spring to 3B training numbers too seriously Hot-corner vet has been taking it slow this spring March 6, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- after knee surgery blogs/judging-the-royals/article136725073.html March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218242646/royals- mike-moustakas-gets-first-action-at-3b/ MLB TRANSACTIONS March 7, 2017 •.CBSSports.com Yost impressed with next wave of http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions hitters Royals manager hypes young crop, including prospect Dozier LOCAL March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171120/ned-yost- Karns, Herrera in top form for Royals intrigued-by-royals-young-hitters/ March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com Eiland pleased with Royals' pitching http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171476/d-backs- robbie-ray-kcs-karns-shine-monday/ depth Royals pitching coach says it's 'deepest pitching Left-hander Robbie Ray, expected to again be part of the D- camp we've had' backs' rotation, threw three strong innings Monday, giving up three hits and no runs while striking out one in Arizona's 4-1 March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com win over the Royals.. http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171468/dave- eiland-happy-with-royals-pitching-depth/ "I felt like today I was able to mix in and out a lot better than Nathan Karns is sharp, but offense my first outing," Ray said. "That was good." does little in Royals’ 4-1 loss to David Peralta had two hits and two RBIs for the Arizona Diamondbacks. March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- Right-hander Nathan Karns, vying for the Royals' No. 5 spot royals/article136815103.html in the rotation, was solid again. In his first Cactus League Podcast: A conversation with start last week, he retired all six hitters he faced. On Monday, he retired the first eight hitters he faced before Jeff Mathis legendary Royals scout Art Stewart fisted an infield single. March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/k- Karns allowed two runners (both scored) in the fourth before zone/article136833663.html exiting.

Vahe Gregorian: Royals’ Mike Royals closer Kelvin Herrera, being brought along slowly Moustakas makes third-base debut because of the long Spring Training, finally made his spring for infant daughter debut with a 1-2-3 fifth inning. He struck out one. March 6, 2017 By Vahe Gregorian/KC Star "It was pretty good," Herrera said. "No issues. I've been http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe- throwing a lot of bullpens. I'm just trusting the process." gregorian/article136831218.html Actor Rob Riggle and family bring Herrera said he didn't shake off catcher Salvador Perez once.

‘some mojo’ to Royals in Arizona "I got Salvy back there," Herrera said, smiling. "He's hard to March 6, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star shake. He gets upset." http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- petes-sake/article136819718.html D-backs Up Next: Shelby Miller looks to continue his Royals’ Soria takes ‘great pride’ in dominant spring Tuesday when he starts against the A's at 1:10 p.m. MST at Salt River Fields on MLB.TV. Miller representing Mexico at World struck out six and reached 99 mph on the radar gun last time Baseball Classic out in a three-inning stint against the Cubs. March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- Royals Up Next: Left-hander Travis Wood and right-hander royals/article136794273.html Chris Young, both battling for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, will be the first two pitchers to throw for the Royals when they travel to Goodyear Stadium on Tuesday for a 2:05 p.m. CT tilt against the Reds. Backup catcher Drew Butera, battling an oblique strain, is scheduled to see his first game Yost and Royals officials have watched with a curious eye as action of spring. top position prospects Hunter Dozier, Bubba Starling, Jorge Moustakas makes 'hat-tipping' return Bonifacio and Raul Mondesi have made an impact here in the first half of Spring Training. to 3B Hot-corner vet has been taking it slow this spring "They're getting better," Royals general manager Dayton after knee surgery Moore said. "You can see it." March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com And it's not just those four. http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218242646/royals- mike-moustakas-gets-first-action-at-3b/ "And you got [infielders] Ramon Torres and Humberto Arteaga," Yost said. "Don't forget [outfielder Alfredo] Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas, recovering from Escalera on the back end of that. He's having a great camp." ACL surgery on his right knee last May, made his first Cactus League start in the field this spring. Dozier, a first-round pick in the 2013 Draft, is hitting .500 (6- for-12) with a double, triple and homer. He has played third And sure enough, the first hitter for the opposing base, right field and first base so far. Diamondbacks hit a ball to Moustakas' left. He scooped it and threw against his body in time for the out at first. "We just want him to have options," Yost said of Dozier. "Get him comfortable at third, first and the outfield." "Had to happen that way, right?" Moustakas said. "It was a good thing to get my feet wet. Nice to have to go to my left Starling, a first-round pick in 2011, is hitting .364 (4-for-11) and make that play." and has been solid in the outfield. When Moustakas looked back toward the dugout, his "Bubba is getting better at the plate," Yost said. "Bubba has teammates saluted him by tipping their caps. always been able to play the outfield." Moustakas' next chance came two innings later on a weird, Bonifacio is hitting .462 (6-for-13) with some rather loud spinning blooper that Moustakas thought was over his head. outs as well. Instead, as he retreated, the ball fell in front of him for an infield hit. And perhaps the biggest eye-catcher of the group so far has been Mondesi, who has been vying for the starting second- Moustakas' teammates again tipped their caps, this time to rib base job. him. Mondesi is hitting .529 (9-for-17) with a homer and double. "The boys don't let anything slide," Moustakas said, smiling. And Mondesi has been terrific defensively. "Not my best. It was definitely a play that has to be made. It will come with time. But I made a good backhand play later "I've been pleased with our next-wavers," Yost said. "I feel and made a good throw. Very comfortable. Felt like I was good about them." back [to normal]. It was definitely fun today." Eiland pleased with Royals' pitching Moustakas also started a pretty 5-4-3 double play. depth "It just felt great to be out there playing again," he said. Royals pitching coach says it's 'deepest pitching "We've been taking a lot of practice. It's a little like riding a camp we've had' bike, but nothing compares to the adrenaline of a game." March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171468/dave- Playing in the field also gave Moustakas an opportunity to eiland-happy-with-royals-pitching-depth/ perform what has become his routine in the first inning. He draws the initials of his mother, Connie, in the dirt by third It's March 6 and the Royals still have 29 pitchers in camp. base. She died in 2015 from cancer. Moustakas also draws his mother's initials outside the batter's box before his first at- That's a lot to sort through for Royals pitching coach Dave bat. Eiland, not that he minds.

Moustakas also will draw "ACE" by his mother's initials in "It's the deepest group we've had since I've been here," both places this season to honor the late Yordano Ventura as Eiland said. "We're going to have some tough decisions well. coming down to the end. It's a good problem to have. Yost impressed with next wave of "We're going to have to sit down and have some long hitters conversations." Royals manager hypes young crop, including prospect Dozier Here's the issue: The Royals have four starters set and six bullpen spots essentially taken already. March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171120/ned-yost- From that impressive herd of pitchers, the Royals have only intrigued-by-royals-young-hitters/ one, maybe two bullpen jobs open. That's it. One of the many bright spots for Royals manager Ned Yost And right now, the group of pitchers has been so good, there this camp has been the development of the organization's barely has been any separation. next wave of prospects. Karns was sharp through the first three innings, allowing just "The only separation is maybe experience," Eiland said. "But an infield single to Domingo Leyba, who was later caught we have some kids, some young men, who have bright stealing. Monday’s good outing came after Karns threw two futures. I also have to caution myself that it's March. perfect innings in his first spring start.

"But March or not, you can't turn a blind eye to the talent It’s just what Karns had hoped for as he competes for a spot here." in the rotation.

The veterans still in camp battling for bullpen spots include “For early right now, I’m able to get the action on the pitches Al Alburquerque, Jonathan Sanchez, Brandon League, Bobby that I’m trying to execute,” Karns said. The velo (velocity) is Parnell and Chris Withrow. The group also includes Peter going to come. I’ve just got to be patient with that, try not to Moylan, who is away for the World Baseball Classic, and rush it. I’m just trying to keep my body progressing. … Right Seth Maness, who is being brought along slowly as he rehabs now, executing my change-up is the biggest thing for me.” from elbow surgery. Arizona tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth inning, and the Eiland also has been impressed with his crop of young Royals, 7-4, scored their lone run in the eighth when Alex pitchers. Gordon’s single brought in Alfredo Escalera.

"[Scott] Alexander and [Kevin] McCarthy are throwing the “Really not a whole lot of offense today,” Yost said. ball tremendously," Eiland said. "I hate to start listing names “(Lorenzo) Cain and Gordy were good last at-bats. I was because you end up missing a few. But you got [Jake] Junis pleased with that. They wanted the extra at-bats, so they and [Eric] Stout, [Yender] Caramo, [Luke] Ferrell. stayed in there longer than normal.”

"I've been so impressed with all of our young guys. [Miguel] The arms Almonte is coming on and showing better command. [Malcolm] Culver is a guy who can throw 93-94 to both sides Kelvin Herrera’s spring debut should make Royals fans of the plate. Good slider and changeup. happy. He cruised through a scoreless fifth inning and struck out one. Herrera said he wasn’t ready to pitch, but wasn’t "We know about [Josh] Staumont. He's got power. It's all anxious. there. Long term he's a starter, but he is a guy who could come in the back of the 'pen for us. And you have another “I’ve been throwing a lot of bullpens,” Herrera said. power guy in [Andrew] Edwards. It's just been really fun to “Obviously, I want to get in the game, but I’m trusting the watch." process.”

In fact, entering Monday, the Royals led the Cactus League Al Alburquerque gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in in team ERA at 3.52 --and that included an eight-run inning the sixth, Luke Farrell struck out two after allowing two one- allowed against the Reds on Saturday. out base runners and Yender Caramo tossed his fourth scoreless inning of the spring. "Like I said, we'll have some tough decisions at the end," Eiland said. The regular guys Nathan Karns is sharp, but offense In addition to his RBI, Gordon beat the shift in the third does little in Royals’ 4-1 loss to inning with a sharp single to left field as part of a two-hit Arizona game. March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star Third baseman Mike Moustakas was 0 for 2, Cain hit a http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- double in the seventh inning and Jorge Soler had a hit in royals/article136815103.html three at-bats. Despite receiving a warm round of applause as he left the Catcher Salvador Perez made a perfect throw as he caught field during Monday’s spring-training game, Royals pitcher Leyba trying to swipe second. Nathan Karns gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. The young guys Karns was not happy with himself after giving up two base Jorge Bonifacio continued his strong spring with a hard-hit runners to the Diamondbacks, prompting manager Ned Yost single through shortstop in the third inning. He is hitting . to call on a reliever in the Royals’ 4-1 loss. The thing is: The 467. plan was for Karns to throw 45 pitches, but he cruised through three innings in just 34 pitches. First-base prospect Ryan O’Hearn was 0 for 2. Pitching coach Dave Eiland suggested a little more work in Podcast: A conversation with the bullpen, Karns said, but he wanted to stay in the game. legendary Royals scout Art Stewart March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star “It kind of backfired for me,” Karns said. “I threw four http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/k- straight balls and the fifth pitch got hit for a single. Not as zone/article136833663.html much work as I would have liked to have done going back out, but I was just pleased to have the opportunity to go out Just weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday, legendary there for four.” Royals scout Art Stewart began his 65th year in professional baseball here at spring training. On Monday, he joined Kansas City Star columnist Vahe It’s also been a source of profound perspective amid several Gregorian and myself for a conversation about his first 64 years of extreme swings of fortune that encapsulate an entire years in baseball, his days cleaning the bleachers at Wrigley cycle of life that you could see compressed into the imagery Field as a child in Chicago, and his role in helping the Royals of his first moments on the field. sign Bo Jackson. Maybe the intervention of the real world shouldn’t be so There is also a bonus story about a baseball scout, a top surprising. prospect in Wisconsin and a wooden leg. After all, suddenly Moustakas has been in the Royals “Being in baseball,” Stewart said, “I tell [Royals general organization nearly a decade since they drafted him as the manager] Dayton [Moore]: As long as I can still contribute, No. 2 overall pick in 2007. A one-time face of their future is and as long as I still have that same desire that I still have … 28 years old and being teased by family that he’ll soon be I still go out and see some of the top players. I still enjoy that turning 30. as much as I ever did. Because that’s the lifeline of baseball. Everybody thinking that you may come into the ballpark and “I’m like, ‘Oh, my,’” he said. find another Bo Jackson.’” Physically, he still feels like he’s 22 or 23. Stewart, who is a member of the Royals Hall of Fame, began his career in professional baseball in 1953 as a territorial Mentally, though, he’ll tell you he’s a different guy than a scout for the New York Yankees and was the Midwest few years ago, when he often was on a pendulum between his Scouting Supervisor from 1958-69. He then joined the enormous potential and growing pains. expansion Royals franchise and spent 16 years as a scout in the Midwest before joining the front office. For the last 15 It’s not that he lost sight of the rest of the world. But he years, he has been special adviser to the general manager. didn’t really much dwell on stuff outside baseball, either … Stewart has drafted over 70 players who have reached the until he was forced to. major leagues, including Bo Jackson, Kevin Appier, Brian McRae, Mike Sweeney, Johnny Damon, and Carlos Beltran. “I kind of find myself just thinking about everything that’s happened over the last year and a half … I think it’s just Listen to the podcast here or subscribe to SportsBeat KC on more maturing than anything,” he said. “You play a kids iTunes for more Kansas City sports talk from The Star (click game for your entire life, and then all of a sudden you link above) become a dad and people start passing away. Vahe Gregorian: Royals’ Mike “Just crazy things happen. Life kind of takes over.” Moustakas makes third-base debut for infant daughter Especially new lives, as evident in person after the game Monday as Moustakas was introducing Mila to a reporter and March 6, 2017 By Vahe Gregorian/KC Star to comedian Rob Riggle and family, then pushing her in a http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe- baby stroller as he walked off with Stephanie. gregorian/article136831218.html Having her as his main motivation changes the way he sees At last, Mike Moustakas on Monday at Surprise Stadium everything, he’ll tell you. trotted out to third base in a game for the first time since he suffered a freak torn ACL on May 22, 2016. Particularly in a dizzying span that he calls a “roller- coaster” ... As he’s done since the 2015 death of his mother, Connie, he scratched her initials in the dirt at the back of the infield. ▪ Being relegated to Class AAA Omaha in 2014 before rebounding to hit five home runs — and make an iconic catch Wearing a wristband honoring late teammate Yordano sprawling into a dugout suite — in the Royals’ run to the Ventura, who died Jan. 22 in an automobile wreck in the World Series. Dominican Republic, he scrawled “Ace” alongside as the Royals prepared to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in ▪ Being named an All-Star in 2015, losing his mother to what would become a 4-1 loss. cancer weeks later, and then becoming a key part of winning the World Series. Then he played in the field for the first time in the life of his daughter, Mila Constance — who has had him twirled around ▪ Suffering the fluke season-ending injury in a collision with her finger since she was born Aug. 30. left fielder Alex Gordon last season, and learning to see it as a blessing in disguise that allowed him to fully participate in “That’s a lot more pressure than anybody realizes,” he said, the first few months of Mila’s life after she was born on Aug. laughing, before a game he entered with one hit 14 at-bats 30. this spring as a designated hitter. “My wife (Stephanie) brought her other day, and I didn’t have a great game, and Then, of course, came the shattering news of the death of she said, ‘Wow, you went out there and played like that in Ventura. front of your daughter?’” Moustakas was one of a handful of Royals who traveled to Tough crowd … the Dominican Republic for the funeral two days later. More seriously, the truth is fatherhood is what he calls “the Like most everybody else who knew Ventura, he’s still coolest thing that ever happened to me,” and that it became a processing it. sanctuary during his rehabilitation from the injury. “I don’t think anybody really stops thinking about him,” he George Riggle is not a prospect — at least not yet. He’s the said. “I think we just always have him in our hearts and in 7-year-old son of actor Rob Riggle, one of the celebrity our minds and in our prayers.” Royals fans behind the Big Slick charity event that benefits Children’s Mercy Hospital. Moustakas mustered a smile as he spoke about Ventura, suggesting perhaps that he’d found a certain compartment to Rob Riggle, a graduate of Shawnee Mission South who also place all this in that brings him peace. attended Kansas, was in Surprise with his wife, Tiffany, and their son and daughter, Abby. “But it’s the same compartment,” he said, “that can make you cry at the same time.” The family lives in Los Angeles and like for so many other Royals fans, a spring-training road trip is great getaway. Through all of these changes, Moustakas has retained, if not intensified, his sense of attachment to teammates and an “It kind of our tradition,” Riggle said. “We drive up early in organization he’s been with for more than a third of his life. the morning, we catch a game, spend the night, catch a game and drive home. So it’s just a quick overnighter. We catch That could mean more emotional upheaval ahead since two games, one night. We do it every year and it’s best.” Moustakas can become a free agent after the season. George got to play with Sweeney and Hall of Famer George But that’s a matter for another time, especially since he is Brett. Dad was right there and he also had the chance to talk very much in the moment of his recovery now. with current and former Royals.

“Playing third base was pretty cool,” he said. “The Royals have always been very nice to us,” Riggle said.

Naturally on his first day back in the field, the first play of The family was at Sunday’s game — a 4-3 win over the the game came his way, drawing him to his left for one of his Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz. Riggle suggested that may have three assists. He went hitless in two at-bats to extend a had something to do with that victory. generally irrelevant spring slump. “We got to the game late. I think we got there in the sixth He looked like largely like himself again, other than on the inning and got to our seats and they were down 3-1 and all of goofy pop-up that he turned around to pursue … only for it to a sudden they rallied (for a 4-3 win),” Riggle said with a land in front of him. smile starting to spread on his face. “I’m not saying the Riggles are totally responsible, but I think we definitely That earned him the same response in the dugout he’d gotten brought some mojo. on the opening play. “I was also really proud to see a lot of blue out there in that “The boys don’t let anything slide,” he said, smiling. “After I sea of orange. It was nice.” made the first play, I got a hat-tip (from teammates). And after the pop-up, I also got a hat-tip.” Alas, the Riggle Mojo didn’t pay off Monday as the Royals lost 4-1 to the Diamondbacks with the family in attendance. Then he went from that family to his own: Stephanie, long a nurturing force in his life, and Mila, who was going to be But it was clear they had plenty to talk about on the trip happy to see him no matter how this day went. home. Royals’ Soria takes ‘great pride’ in Through all the changes, he’s always been sustained by what he called his “backbone” of teammates and his father and representing Mexico at World sisters back home. Baseball Classic March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star Now, though, he has something else, too — even if Mila’s http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- presence at the game made for “more pressure than anybody royals/article136794273.html realizes.” The distance from Monclova, the steel capital of Mexico, to “It’s definitely changed the way I feel about life in general,” the Estadio Charros de Jalisco, one of four first-round sites he said. for the World Baseball Classic, is approximately 565 miles — or 909 kilometers, if you prefer the local system of Especially as life in general insinuated itself into his own so measurement. intensely. Actor Rob Riggle and family bring Monclova, which doubles as the hometown of Royals ‘some mojo’ to Royals in Arizona reliever Joakim Soria, is located in the northern state of Coahuila, just 170 miles from the Texas border. Estadio March 6, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star Charros de Jalisco sits on the northern outskirts of http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- Guadalajara, a 10-hour drive to the southwest. petes-sake/article136819718.html The cities are not close. But in Soria’s view, the distance Former Royals star Mike Sweeney was walking back from means little. For the first time in eight years, he is about to the practice fields on Monday at spring camp when he play a true home game. That’s the important part. spotted pitcher Ian Kennedy and delivered some big news. On Thursday night at Estadio Charros de Jalisco, Soria and “George Riggle hit a sick bomb,” proclaimed Sweeney, who Team Mexico will open the World Baseball Classic in front is now special assistant to baseball operations. of a partisan home crowd. Soria will be making his first appearance for his home country since 2009, when he last participated in the WBC, the international event that has Royals left-hander Danny Duffy said a key reason for re- found little momentum in the United States but can stir joining Twitter earlier this year was to use the social-media emotions elsewhere. outlet as a platform for bettering Kansas City.

“It’s an honor to represent your country, represent your In addition to promoting Noah’s Bandage Project, which family, everybody that supports you back in Mexico,” Soria benefits research to eradicate pediatric cancer, Duffy has said this week, sitting at his locker at Royals spring training. thrown his support behind a ballot initiative for a new animal “There’s great pride in getting to play with Mexico.” shelter in Kansas City.

Soria missed the last World Baseball Classic four years ago The election on April 4 will ask voters in Kansas City a while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He is veteran simple yes or no for Question 3, which would approve a reliever entering the second season of a $25 million contract, general obligation bond package that includes the shelter and and although his performance lagged in 2016, he does not “Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to public need to risk injury in an event with little at stake but national buildings and structures.” pride. The new shelter would be built at Swope Park and replace the Yet, Soria said committing to play this time around was an outdated KC Pet Project facility at 4400 Raytown Road. easy decision. Last month, Duffy tweeted that he hoped people would vote For Soria, there is immense pride in the opportunity to for the shelter, which also would receive private donations represent both his country and his sport, to don the Mexican for the project. colors and play in front of family and friends, to stand unified on a team that offers its own measure of diversity. He will “I’m a dog guy,” Duffy said, “and I’m a huge advocate for join a roster that includes both native Mexicans, such as no-kill shelters. You want to adopt a rescue, man. Sadie, my Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias and Cardinals left-hander dog, I got her kind of by default, because I went to the pet Jaime Garcia, and Mexican-Americans such as the Dodgers’ store for 30 straight days without any intention to buy her. Adrian Gonzalez and Sergio Romo. But all my other dogs have been rescues since I was little. They need homes. Hopefully, they can get that passed.” “We’re going to fight and have fun,” Soria said. “We’re going to put on the shirt and fight and try to compete and win The new shelter would be about 60,000 square feet and the tournament.” potentially house as many as 15,000 animals a year.

Soria, 32, has deep ties to Mexican baseball. He has Duffy said the current shelter simply needs more room. competed in both the Mexican Baseball League and the country’s winter league. His perfect game for Naranjeros de “Population, man,” he said. “I think they could probably use Hermosillo in the Mexican Winter League in 2006 helped a bit of an upgrade, too. Anybody who’s out there in KC launch his major-league career in the United States. That should go check it out. You could go there and just walk winter, Soria, a member of the San Diego Padres dogs. They will allow you to just take them out on walks if organization, was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Royals. you want to. Medically, they take care of them there. They have this little area where any dog has an ailment or has been Soria is also prideful of baseball’s place in his home country. abused or needs medical attention (can get help) on site. It’s In popularity, it pales in comparison to soccer. Yet, it awesome.” remains a crucial part of the country’s culture is certain regions. The same day that Duffy asked people to vote for the bond initiative, he also put out the word for a dog named “There are good teams and they’re good leagues,” Soria said. Wednesday that had been at an adoption center for seven “Baseball in Mexico is big. The media doesn’t cover it as months. much. But we have a lot of players in Mexico.” Duffy offered up four tickets to a Royals game and dog food The pool-play first round means that Soria will get the for a year if someone adopted her. opportunity to play three games back in Mexico, including matchups with Salvador Perez and Venezuela and a rising That wish was granted about a week later, and he intends to Puerto Rico squad. The home-field advantage could be honor the agreement even if the new owners were unaware of important, Soria said, but there is also incentive to advance to Duffy’s offer. the second round. “I don’t even know if that had anything to with it,” Duffy “The next round is in San Diego,” Soria said. “And San said. “I hope it did. The fact that she’s adopted is good Diego is like a second home to us.” enough for me.” Why you shouldn’t take spring “The last time I didn’t play because I was coming back (from injury). So it’s a great honor for me to represent my country.” training numbers too seriously Royals’ Danny Duffy throws support March 6, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- behind ballot question for new animal blogs/judging-the-royals/article136725073.html shelter On Sunday, the New York Mets’ Matt Harvey pitched March 6, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star against the St. Louis Cardinals, and if he threw a breaking http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- pitch I missed it; Harvey appeared to be throwing a whole petes-sake/article136702238.html bunch of fastballs and a few changeups. In the second inning, that caught up to him ... and the Cards There are several ways for a second baseman to turn a 6-4-3 scored four runs. After he was pulled from the game, Harvey double play: coming across the bag, staying behind the bag or sat in the dugout and despite finishing the day with an ERA stepping over the runner. And different plays require of 21.60 he appeared completely unconcerned. different feeds from the shortstop.

I’m not the first person to say this, and I certainly won’t be Alcides Escobar will have to remember who’s playing the last, but it bears repeating at least once a year: you second base and how he likes to be given the ball before he shouldn’t take spring training numbers too seriously. starts a double play. If you see the timing messed up on a 6- 4-3, it might be because too many people are playing second At this time of year, we’re looking at very small sample sizes base. and unusual conditions; out in Arizona, the ground is hard and the air is dry, and that helps the baseball fly. Pitchers — Pena’s stance especially those who have already made the team — might not be throwing their breaking stuff early in camp, and when The other day, catcher Brayan Pena was behind the plate and they do throw that breaking stuff it might not do much at one point he took a stance with his right leg splayed out to because of the dry air. the side.

And if the numbers are put up in the later innings of a spring Sometimes bigger catchers will do this because it helps them training game, those numbers might be put up against a get low, but it also opens them up to a foul tip off the cup. minor-leaguer. I’m not sure how knowing that improves your life, but it’s something to look for in the future. And if Brayan takes one It’s easy to get overly excited out about a player getting off to in the huevos rancheros, you can say you knew it would a hot start, or overly worried about a player getting off to a eventually happen. cold one, but on April 3 all the numbers go back to zero and the conditions change dramatically. Watch the on-deck circle

On opening day, it probably won’t be hot and dry in Smart hitters will be timing the pitcher’s fastball; guys who Minnesota, and the Twins won’t put a minor-league pitcher are a little less focused will be checking out the women in the on the mound. stands.

How to judge an infielder’s arm Pay attention to the later innings

Wait for a play that forces the infielder to go to his backhand I also caught part of an Angels game on Sunday, and Mike side. Trout let a ball in the gap bounce on the warning track and over the fence. That will force him to make a throw flat-footed, and that will show you how strong (or weak) his arm is. And pay attention Good call: The Angels don’t want Trout getting hurt diving to what the ball does as it arrives at first base; is it fading and for a ball in a spring training game. But later in the same sinking, or is it still firm all the way into the first baseman’s game, No. 84 — I think it was a guy named Michael mitt? Hermosillo — laid out for a similar ball in the gap.

Lots of infielders’ arms look OK when they’re moving It’s easy to get bored in the later innings of a spring training forward; it’s what they do on plays to their backhand side game because both teams start running guys out there you’ve that reveals their arm strength. never heard of, but those later innings matter. If you’re playing in the later innings, you probably haven’t made the How a strong arm can turn into a weakness club and you’re trying to make an impression on the big- league coaching staff. Guys with strong arms like to show them off, and that can be a problem. Mike Trout doesn’t need to get noticed; Michael Hermosillo does. Last week during a pregame radio show, Royals broadcaster MLB TRANSACTIONS Ryan Lefebvre told a story about new outfielder Jorge Soler. March 7, 2017 •.CBSSports.com During practice, Soler threw the ball from right field to third http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions base on the fly, which impressed the fans in attendance. But Soler had to do it again because that on-the-fly throw was too high to be cut off, and that would allow a trail runner to move TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION into scoring position.

I don’t know if this is still the Royals’ policy — I’ll ask coach Rusty Kuntz when I see him — but I’ve been told Cincinnati Christian Acquired Off Waivers From Royals outfielders are supposed to make their throws on one hop. That keeps the ball low and allows it to be cut off, and Reds Walker from Braves, Atlanta that freezes the trailing runner.

A rotation at second base

Ned Yost has thrown the idea out there, but for a team that values defense, forcing your shortstop to work with a several different second basemen has its downside. Cincinnati Jumbo Diaz Designated for Assignment Reds

San Diego Cesar Vargas Sent to Minors Padres

Texas Connor Sent to Minors Rangers Sadzeck

Texas Yohander Sent to Minors Rangers Méndez

Texas Andrew Sent to Minors Rangers Faulkner