Los Angeles Angels starter Jose Quintana has not allowed a run in six innings over three Cactus League starts. The former Cub changed his strength and conditioning program in the offseason and is altering his mechanics, particularly the alignment of his front shoulder on his release. “This is a great opportunity to be back in the game,” he said. “Now I have a lot of expectations on myself and my team.” Angels manager Joe Maddon, who managed Quintana with the Cubs, said Quintana is so pumped before starts, “there is fire coming out of his eyeballs.” … San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt revealed his unexplained absence from camp early this spring was due to a bout with mononucleosis, which he incurred a month after getting COVID-19 in January. … Arizona Diamondbacks first-base coach Dave McKay, whose diet and fitness routines are renowned in baseball circles, suffered a broken rib and lacerated spleen last week after tripping in the dugout at Scottsdale Stadium and falling into a metal railing. The 71-year-old McKay, a coach on Dale Sveum’s staff early in the Cubs rebuild, is expected to return by opening day.
Cactus League report: White Sox pitcher Dallas Keuchel is motivated by playoff loss — and what are Cubs manager David Ross’ TV and movie favorites?
