BRAVES NEWS
Ronald Acuña, Kyle Wright debut in loss to Astros
The Braves fell to the Astros on Saturday but the game was filled with the spring debut of several top prospects. Ronald Acuña got the start in center but went 0-for-3 at the plate with a pair of strikeouts. Mike Soroka and Kyle Wright both made their debuts on the mound. Soroka gave up a leadoff home run to Yuri Gurriel but settled down from there. Wright allowed a hit but worked a scoreless frame.
Hitless in debut, Acuna hungry for results
It wasn’t the debut that Acuña was hoping for at the plate but he did show off his tools in the outfield with a nice running catch.
“Everything felt the same,” Acuna said. “My focus was to go out there and give it my all and give my best effort. The results weren’t there, but tomorrow is another day. I’ll get after it again.”
Video: Mike Soroka on his first outing of Spring
Mike Soroka met with reporters following his first outing of the spring and talked about how he was able to settle down after surrendering a homer to the first batter he faced.
Newcomb opens spring with strong outing
Sean Newcomb allowed a double and a walk to the first two men he faced on Saturday but escaped the inning allowing just one unearned run thanks to an error behind him. Newcomb showed off a good breaking ball and with Luiz Gohara slowed during the early part of camp, could be on track to open the season in the Braves’ rotation.
Braves see this as important spring and year for Swanson
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that this is an important spring training for many of the Braves’ young prospects but especially shortstop Dansby Swanson given his struggles in 2017. O’Brien talked about the situation with Braves manager Brian Snitker.
“We talked to them all and have an idea of what we want to do (with the lineup and roster), but that can change, too. Because I think it’s important for these guys to take this camp and be very competitive and try to be as productive as they can also.”
MLB NEWS
Ohtani electric, erratic in Spring Training debut
Shohei Ohtani made his much anticipated spring debut on Saturday allowing two runs (1 earned) over 1.1 innings. He gave up two hits including a home run to Keon Broxton to go along with two strikeouts and a walk. While the results weren’t great, he did show an electric repertoire of pitches with a fastball that touched 97 with impressive breaking stuff.
J.D. Martinez signing delayed by medical issue, per report
Remember when J.D. Martinez agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract with the Red Sox? Well the deal still hasn’t been formally announced and Martinez has yet to join Boston in spring training. Even Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports that the hold up is due to something in Martinez’s medical issues and that both the team and Scott Boras have involved additional medical experts on the matter.
Reds sign Oliver Perez to minor-league deal
Oliver Perez has a new home agreeing to a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds that also includes an invite to spring training. Perez spent the last two seasons in Washington.