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For some players, though, it has been an ideal opportunity to get to know new teammates. Adbert Alzolay, currently on the 60-day injured list, and infielder Jonathan Villar are among Cubs players who have been spotted hanging out in the dugout despite not playing. Ross noticed when Villar stayed to watch an entire game this week.
“The outfield is still taking shape, how guys continue to get their legs under them and have the at-bats,” Ross said Wednesday. “Some of this roster stuff sometimes comes down to options and who has what left from that standpoint, and we’ll put it all together, but he’s done a nice job to put himself on the map.
“You’re hearing about it more, but there’s still not a whole slew of guys that are having 1,000 games. To get to that milestone, you’ve got to be pretty good. It’s hard to get there. Hats off to him. He’s had some ups and downs these last couple years, and he’s got his 1,000 games. It’s quite an accomplishment.”
“He really wants to play,” Donovan said. “But he’s also going to be smart in terms of how he’s feeling, and he’s going to be realistic and the doctors will put their heads together. But certainly every day that goes by, and time that passes by, you’re moving closer and closer to the end of the season.”
”It’s definitely on my radar. I always hated that pesky smaller hitter to start, and I don’t want to knock his height, but as a catcher to lock that in as a pitcher early on, and his bat-to-ball skills are real, I mean some of the best in the league. He’s hit some balls hard, seems to command the strike zone. Getting on base is just another priority that he understands we want from him. His hit tool is real so it’s been really impressive so far.”
And unless you’re the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves or St. Louis Cardinals, you have reason to be concerned about attendance this season with inflation, high gas prices and various other excuses to watch games from home instead of making the trip to the ballpark.
“He’s a .300 hitter, and he can get to all pitches — right, left,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday when asked the benefits of having Anderson at the top of the lineup. “And he’s got those dynamite legs so when he gets on, what he can make happen. And he’s also been a factor when you turn the lineup around, drive in a big run.
Poles faced a lot of questions when he spoke Monday afternoon for the first time since a short session at the scouting combine. The one thing he has done is remained true to his vision of being cautious in free agency. Bears fans have been conditioned to expect bold moves in March. It has happened almost annually dating to 2009, when the team traded for quarterback Jay Cutler. A year later, the Bears signed Julius Peppers. What followed were mostly busy offseasons that usually included some high-profile additions. I don’t believe Poles is averse to spending in free agency, but the player has to be right and the time has to be right. The Bears are betting on the upside of some of these signings. They also have signed some clear starters. Defensive tackle Justin Jones, Muhammad at defensive end and linebacker Nicholas Morrow at linebacker — those players are not backups. Maybe Patrick wasn’t someone the Packers planned on starting, but circumstances wound up providing him with a lot of playing time. Pringle had a good run in Kansas City last season. So to say Poles has done nothing but sign backups is not accurate. The Bears are unlikely to hit on all of the signings, but if half of them pan out, they’ve made calculated moves that make them better without spending lavishly. Poles obviously knows how Pringle is wired and believes he’s ready for a larger role. St. Brown’s and Patrick’s familiarity with the offensive scheme is a plus for them and the team. Same goes for Muhammad. I expect the Bears to be players in free agency again — the team will be flush with cap space next year — but doing it on an annual basis hasn’t produced the results everyone was seeking.
“I am appreciative of the Glazer family and Jason Licht for having faith in me to take on this role, and to Coach Arians for his support and guidance over the past four decades,” Bowles said. “Tampa has become home for my family, and we are excited to remain part of this community for years to come. … I am eager to get started with our players, coaching staff, and front office in preparation for the 2022 season.”
The U.S. traveled 25,042 miles on charters, and players had up to five trans-Atlantic round trips, with Germany-based Tyler Adams and England-based Antonee Robinson making the maximum. Games were played at 3 degrees in St. Paul, Minnesota, and 85 degrees in Austin, Texas.