ANGELS
Richards progressing
TEMPE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Angels right-hander Garrett Richards is expected to begin pitcher fielding drills in about a week as he makes progress from August knee surgery, and the team remains hopeful he could be pitching in games two to three weeks into the regular season for the reigning American League West champions.
“It’s not going to be opening day, let’s put it that way,” Manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday. “He knows it, and it’s great that he’s not going to be able to rush it because our medical staff’s not going to let him. There’s a progression. He has to pass every plateau.
“It’s great that he’s going to shoot for being ready. He’s working very hard to be ready opening day, but he’s not going to be ready opening day.”
The former Arkansas Traveler was scheduled to throw a bullpen session of 40-50 pitches and do some simulated work Sunday to prepare for fully fielding his position. That included agility work in the outfield and making some cuts and turns like he does moving off the mound.
“That’s a substantial step,” Scioscia said. “I think he’s transitioning and getting close to what a regular spring training would be. He’s almost at the end of what you would consider rehab. He’s not fully. They haven’t taken all the reigns off. … You can try to project, he’s two to three weeks behind some guys. So if that progression is prorated, you get kind of a window where you can expect him during the season.”
Richards, 26, was 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 28 starts and 168 2/3 innings last season before he tore a tendon in his left knee Aug. 20 while covering first base in a game at Boston. He had surgery shortly thereafter to repair a torn patellar tendon.
YANKEES
A-Rod: So far, so good
TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez said he feels fine after his first week of workouts and will leave the decision of when he makes his spring training debut to New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi.
The Yankees begin exhibition play Tuesday against Philadelphia at the Phillies’ camp.
“I’ll talk to Joe first,” Rodriguez said Sunday. “If I’m in the lineup, I’ll play, yeah. So far, so good. No setbacks.”
Girardi said he’ll announce today whether Rodriguez will be in the lineup for the spring opener.
“Just making sure he’s physically ready to play,” Girardi said.
Suspended for violations of baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract, Rodriguez missed all of last season and is trying to return as his 40th birthday approaches in July.
Girardi and General Manager Brian Cashman say Chase Headley will be their starting third baseman and Rodriguez will compete for at-bats at designated hitter.
Rodriguez has been working out at third and first base and could see limited time at both. He is using his infield glove at both positions while breaking in a new first baseman’s glove.
“I’m not worried about today,” Girardi said. “The real tests come in the games, and that’s what we’ve got to see.”
NATIONALS
Scherzer sharp
VIERA, Fla. — Starter Max Scherzer looked sharp Sunday, using his full arsenal in his first spring training appearance.
The National League East champion Nationals boosted their already formidable rotation in the offseason by signing the former American League Cy Young Award with Detroit to a $210 million, seven-year contract.
“It felt great,”Scherzer said after facing several players who aren’t likely to make the team’s final roster. “It’s been a few months since I’ve been out there facing hitters, and to actually seem like I know what I was doing, it was a good feeling.”
Scherzer’s fastball and breaking balls seemed particularly sharp. Only Daniel Butler made any kind of real contact, hitting what would have been a weak grounder to second. Other than that, the batters just let the pitches go by.
“They only swung three times, so I don’t know if they had a problem or not,” Scherzer said. “I was at least putting the fastball where I wanted to today, but at the end of the day it’s a live batting practice so let’s check what we’re actually talking about.”
Williams said he thought Scherzer threw the ball “extremely well.”
BLUE JAYS
Viciedo adds depth
DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays boosted their outfield depth Sunday, signing Dayan Viciedo to a minor-league contract and saying he might be able to earn a spot at another position.
The deal came a few days after Toronto outfielder Michael Saunders tore cartilage in his knee when he stepped on a sprinkler while chasing a ball. Saunders had surgery and is expected to be out five to six weeks.
Viciedo, 25, hit 21 home runs for the Chicago White Sox last season while batting .231 with 58 RBI. The Cuban is known for his power, not his plate discipline or defense. He struck out 122 times and drew only 32 walks last year.
“He’s got some power, a right-handed bat,” General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “Has played some third in his career, played some first, certainly played the outfield. We’ll just take a look at him for the month of March and see what we have.”
Viciedo gives the Jays another option in left field with Saunders out. But given Saunders’ expected early return date, Viciedo might have a better shot of sticking elsewhere, with Anthopoulos saying a first base/designated hitter slot is “the most wide-open spot in terms of competition.”