February 23, 2018 Page 1 of 44 Clips (February 23, 2018) February 23, 2018 Page 2 of 44 Today’s Clips Contents FROM THE OC REGISTER (PAGE 4) Angels pitcher Nick Tropeano, in return from Tommy John surgery, starts Friday Shohei Ohtani set for spring training debut with Angels on Saturday FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (PAGE 6) Shohei Ohtani to get first spring training start, as a pitcher, on Saturday For Nick Tropeano, the Angels’ spring training opener definitely counts FROM ANGELS.COM (PAGE 10) Carter among Angels’ dark-horse candidates Ohtani set for Angels debut on mound Saturday Tropeano to get first look in Halos’ rotation battle Angels’ Top 30 improved, and it’s not just Ohtani FROM THE ATHLETIC (PAGE 16) Who will love (and hate) the new park dimensions in Anaheim the most? Moura: Ohtani cranks it up as his pitching and hitting schedule comes into focus FROM MLB.COM (PAGE 19) Why the Angels’ 6-man rotation won’t last Halos’ Scioscia praises Rangers reliever Jepsen Stoneman Douglas honored as spring games begin today FROM ESPN.COM (PAGE 24) Angels’ Shohei Ohtani to make spring debut as pitcher Saturday FROM SPORTING NEWS (PAGE 25) Angels’ Shohei Ohtani to pitch in Cactus League debut FROM BLEACHER REPORT (PAGE 25) Shohei Ohtani to Make Angels Cactus League Debut vs. Brewers as Pitcher Projecting All 30 MLB Teams’ Next Big Thing Top MLB Breakout Candidates at Every Position Entering 2018 FROM YAHOO SPORTS (PAGE 40) Angels set the date for Shohei Ohtani’s spring training debut FROM USA TODAY (PAGE 40) Angels’ Shohei Ohtani to make Cactus League debut as pitcher on Saturday Spring training: Five things to watch as Grapefruit and Cactus League’s begin FROM REUTERS (PAGE 42) February 23, 2018 Page 3 of 44 Angels’ Ohtani to make pitching start on Saturday FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS (PAGE 43) With Cozart joining Angels infield, the defense never rests FROM KYODO NEWS (PAGE 44) Baseball: Ohtani to make spring training debut Feb. 24 February 23, 2018 Page 4 of 44 FROM THE OC REGISTER Angels pitcher Nick Tropeano, in return from Tommy John surgery, starts Friday By Jeff Fletcher TEMPE, Ariz. — Nick Tropeano’s start in the Angels’ Cactus League opener will mean a little more than the average spring training outing. It will mark Tropeano’s first appearance in a major league setting since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2016. Although Tropeano pitched in an instructional league last fall, facing minor leaguers on back fields with fans numbering in the dozens is not the same as facing the Oakland A’s at Hohokam Stadium. “I have been looking forward to this day, working for this day, ever since the injury,” he said. “There will be some nerves obviously, even for a spring training game.” Tropeano said “results will be a bonus, if they are good,” but the Angels will certainly be evaluating his performance, beyond his health. Tropeano is one of nine starting pitchers in camp who could be a part of the 2018 rotation at some point. At it stands now, Tropeano would appear to be in the mix with Parker Bridwell, who will also pitch Friday, and JC Ramirez for the sixth spot in the rotation. Tropeano and Bridwell both have options, so at worst both could be stashed in Triple-A and called up later, if the need arises. Tropeano, 27, was enjoying a breakthrough season when he got hurt in 2016. He had a 3.56 ERA through 13 starts. “I think Trop has kind of flown a little under the radar in a lot of circles,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We know what he can do and we’re excited to have him back healthy.” Support for Parkland All major league teams will wear Marjory Stoneman Douglas High caps Friday as a show of support in the wake of the shooting last week in Parkland, Fla. It will have a special meaning for Angels catcher Rene Rivera, who lives in the Stoneman Douglas district and has 4-year-old twin daughters. “It was a shock,” said Rivera, who has lived in Parkland for three years. “It’s the safest place in Florida. You don’t expect that to happen in that city. It’s sad. Shootings can happen anywhere.” Rivera said he hopes that this incident leads to change. “It’s about making somebody do something about it,” he said. “I think that people are tired of school shootings. School should be a place kids go to learn and be safe. It’s good that everyone gets together so we can push and do something about the weapons.” February 23, 2018 Page 5 of 44 Angels players also signed a banner to be sent to Stoneman Douglas High. Also — Chris Young is sidelined with what he described as a strained right calf, the first notable injury of the spring for the Angels. Young estimated that he’ll be out another 10 days. Young said he tweaked his calf Tuesday, the second day of full-squad workouts. Young, who signed with the Angels on Sunday, projects as their fourth outfielder… — Outfielder Jahmai Jones, considered one of the Angels’ top prospects, was looking for a second baseman’s glove when a rep from a glove manufacturer was at Angels camp on Wednesday. When word of that reached Twitter, it sparked speculation of a position switch. Jones said Thursday morning no one in the organization has suggested that to him, and he has not worked out on the infield. He said he just wanted the smaller glove to do outfield drills. He acknowledged, though, he’s ready for anything. “You never know how the game is changing,” he said. “You could be playing one position day and another position another day. I’m in big league camp as an outfielder. That’s what I’m focusing on now.” Shohei Ohtani set for spring training debut with Angels on Saturday By Jeff Fletcher TEMPE, Ariz. — After completing his bullpen session on Thursday morning — the test before the test — Shohei Ohtani got the official word from Mike Scioscia that he is getting the ball for the Angels’ Cactus League game on Saturday. “I feel like this is a big step forward, the beginning of my career in Major League Baseball,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “I am really happy at this point.” Ohtani is scheduled to throw the first two innings against the Milwaukee Brewers at noon Pacific time at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox Sports West and in Japan, where it will be 5 a.m. on Sunday. Although this game is certain to be one of the most watched, and most eagerly anticipated, exhibition games, Ohtani doesn’t seem to be putting much pressure on himself right away. “This will be my first start in the States; I’m pretty sure a lot of things aren’t going to go my way,” he said. “That’s OK. I just need to find what I need to adjust and feel where I’m at, and it’s going to be enough.” Ohtani likely won’t be facing the top Brewers hitters, though. The Brewers have two split-squad games on Friday, so most of their regulars will play then, and get Saturday off. February 23, 2018 Page 6 of 44 Ohtani’s debut as a hitter won’t come before Monday, because Scioscia said he will get the day off after he pitches. If his batting practice performance on Thursday is any indication, Ohtani could put on a show at the plate too. During the team’s first workout of the spring inside the stadium, instead of on the adjacent practice fields, Ohtani blasted several tape-measure homers. One of them carried over the batter’s eye in center field, which is marked at 420 feet from the plate, and 30 feet high, according to the Angels. Ohtani suggested that the “wind was another factor,” but he acknowledged that he “started to see the ball and hit the ball a little better.” After Ohtani’s blast to center field, Angels players cheered and playfully grabbed his biceps. “I’m enjoying fooling around with my teammates and having a lot of fun,” he said. FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES Shohei Ohtani to get first spring training start, as a pitcher, on Saturday By Jeff Miller He sent one ball over the scoreboard in right field and one over the batter's eye in center, perhaps the only thing preventing Shohei Ohtani from launching one over a nearby celestial body being the moon's absence in the early Thursday sunlight. His Angels teammates hooted and thrust their fists into the air and, in one extreme example of awe, rushed over to squeeze the Japanese sensation's biceps. Yeah, some things are understood without translation. Ohtani officially will make his Cactus League debut Saturday, at Tempe Diablo Stadium against Milwaukee, as a pitcher. But he emphatically announced his arrival as a hitter during the Angels' first workout in the park in which they play their spring training games. Well, that is, if rocketing a baseball at least 450 feet is considered emphatic. About 15 minutes later, upon returning to the clubhouse, the Angels' potential two-way star was greeted by a shout from across the room. "Ohtani," Martin Maldonado yelled, "you using cork?" The Angels catcher then approached and grabbed one of Ohtani's bats, playfully pretending to inspect it before acknowledging that the power was as authentic — and perhaps as relentless — as Ohtani's smile.