Sometimes no news is good news, and after a day of having to share some tough news yesterday about losing Chase Headley for likely 2-3 weeks with a strained calf, a day of no major injury announcements today was certainly welcomed. But that doesn’t mean that nothing happened. It was another productive day of camp as the first game of spring marched closer, now just 4 days away.
The morning drill was cut offs and relays from the outfielders. Buddy demanded a level of intensity during the exercise making sure no sloppiness crept in, which can easily happen during these types of drills. Throws were kept crisp, and alignments done correctly as almost every situation you can imagine in a game was simulated off the fungo bat of Glenn Hoffman. Several different players took turns covering at 3B for Chase, including Ryan Jackson, and Alexi Amarista on the main field. Jackson showed off a strong arm during the relays. It is going to be interesting to see how that showdown between Jackson and Amarista, who I believe are battling for one of the final bench spots, turns out. Each bring defensive versatility with Alexi providing more OF options, while Jackson would likely be the stronger option on the left side of the infield for an extended period, and the decision will come down to both performance and team needs when camp breaks.
One interesting side topic that was going on before, during, and after this drill was how the catchers should practice 
blocking or not blocking home plate. Hundley, Grandal, and Rivera were all discussing what the requirements might be from the new “no collision” edict that is about to be announced. Speculations about what the rules for catchers might be were shared, and ideas about how best to set up and apply a tag were demonstrated and debated amongst each other. At the end of the workout Buddy called them all together to chat about it for a few moments. He started by saying, as he had shared with the media a few days earlier, that he hoped to have some clarification after tomorrow following MLB’s big reveal, and a meeting for the managers, both scheduled to take place Monday. The group appeared to discuss what most believe will be the general guidelines about leaving some kind of opening to the base for the runner as you set up. As he mentioned before, he and his coaching staff are hesitant to advise anything to the catchers before knowing exactly what the mandate will be so as to not create any confusion. Hopefully after tomorrow we will all know what is expected, and what both catchers and runners will have to change.
After the morning fundamental, it was once again time for hitters to hit off live pitching. Today breaking balls were incorporated into the pitchers offerings. Yesterday appeared to be more pitching dominated than it did in day one. Today was a bit more balanced, as the hitters continue to get their timing up to speed. All the pitchers seem to be progressing with their repertoires, with Robbie Erlin once again looking really sharp. He was one of the standouts to me in day one of the live BP, and looked strong today again with his FB command, and some late deep curveballs. I also enjoyed watching Joe Weiland work, mainly because it was clear he is able to go at full speed after his elbow surgery, and cut a few heaters loose today that appeared to be every bit is lively as before the surgery. Both he and Erlin could be important pieces to the rotation depth that should be stronger than the organization has seen in some while. Another anticipated piece of that depth, Matt Wisler, showed off his FB-SL combination effectively today, and two more young arms in Jesse Hahn and Joe Ross showed once again today that there is more pitching in the pipeline.
Glenn Hoffman got a break today from the nearly 2-hour straight fungo routine he normally goes through on the back field working out all the infielders in between their hitting groups. Instead he spent time with all the groups going over the signs for spring training, and what is expected of every player in terms of awareness at the plate and on the base paths. While much of the instruction he shared while addressing the groups at each base was review, there are always some subtle points worth reminding guys of, and minor changes to what may have been taught in previous years. Baseball is always evolving, and coaches and players are always looking for better or more efficient ways to do things. Sometimes it’s something as simple as how a base coach will communicate with a runner at second about the defense playing behind him when 40,000 fans are yelling late in the game, but Hoffy was insistent in pointing out to each group that those are the kinds of things that can make the difference in a wins or losses, and that in turn championships.
Nothing new on Headley’s calf, and he is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday that will hopefully reveal absolutely nothing other than a muscular strain. Buddy shared that there are no intra-squad games planned before the first game on Thursday, so tomorrow should be more of the same, with a morning fundamental, live BP, infield and bunting stations for the hitting groups and pitchers to rotate through, and maybe some insight on MLB’s new no plate collision rule, …oh, and hopefully like today no significant injury news!
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