Professional – Page 167 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Former Griffon, Indian Michael Hill signs with Redskins

Posted on March 30, 2015March 30, 2015

by Andrew Walker – Redskins.com

Last week, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said he wouldn’t hesitate to bring in some competition at the running back position behind perennial starter Alfred Morris.

On Monday, the team acted on that claim, signing free agent running back Michael Hill. Terms of the contract were not released.

Hill – who stands at 5-foot-10 and weighs 210 pounds – is a Missouri Western State product who has played in eight career games, all in 2013 with the Green Bay Packers (two games) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (six games).

The St. Joseph Central High School graduate has nine career rushes for 23 yards, and has also showed the ability to catch the ball in limited action, hauling in two career passes for 23 yards – all with Tampa Bay.

Hill originally signed with the San Diego Chargers as a college free agent on April 27, 2013, starting a wave of roster moves over the past two seasons for the St. Joseph, Mo., native.

The Chargers released Hill during final cuts that year, and he joined the Packers practice squad in September and jumped between the active roster and practice squad for about the next month, making his NFL debut Oct. 6, 2013, vs. the Detriot Lions and also appearing the next week against the Baltimore Ravens.

He was signed to the Buccaneers’ active roster from the Packers’ practice squad Nov. 13, 2013, and appeared in six games with Tampa that season.

Last season, Hill was waived by the Packers during final cuts and signed to the team’s practice squad. He eventually joined the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad Nov. 18 before his release a week later. He ended the season on the Redskins’ practice squad, signing Dec. 9.

The Redskins are looking for a leading candidate to take over their backup running back duties after the departure of free agent Roy Helu Jr., who signed with the Oakland Raiders.

The team currently features burner Chris Thompson and the shifty Silas Redd, but Gruden said last week at the annual Owners Meetings that he wanted to create more competition at the position.

“It’s very deep running back draft in my opinion, and we’re excited to add another piece at some point, hopefully. We have seven picks,” he said. “Hopefully one of them will be a running back, or a free agent to compete. There are some good free agents that haven’t been signed yet. But, giving Chris an opportunity, Silas, Alfred, that’s where it starts. And we’ll add some more later on for competition.”

— Redskins.com —

Moustakas hits grand slam in KC’s 11-7 win over Rangers

Posted on March 30, 2015March 30, 2015

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Mike Moustakas hit a grand slam in a seven-run first inning as the Kansas City Royals outslugged the Texas Rangers 11-7 Monday.

Alex Gordon, who also homered, and Eric Hosmer each had three of the Royals’ 15 hits.

Rangers starter Lisalverto Bonilla retired only one of eight batters he faced before being pulled after 37 pitches. He allowed five hits, walked one, hit a batter and balked home a run.

“The inning kind of got away from Bonilla,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “He fell behind and his pitch count got up. It was inconsistency. The home run looked like it might have been middle-middle. It’s not an outing you’d want to see.”

Moustakas hit a 1-2 pitch over the left field wall after Hosmer singled, Alex Rios walked and Salvador Perez was hit by a pitch.

Gordon, who was held out of early games while rehabbing from December right wrist surgery, had only three singles in 24 at-bats, entering the game.

“Obviously, I got a late start,” Gordon said. “The numbers aren’t great, but you turn the page every day and realize this is spring training. I want to go out there and produce and perform and when that’s not happening, you’ve just got to come here the next day and try to figure it out.

“I’m trying to do as much as I can right now with the time I have to get ready for the season,” he added. “The whole point was to make the wrist feel normal again and that’s what it’s feeling like right now. I think our main focus was just to come back healthy.”

Adam Rosales, Leonys Martin, Jake Smolinski and Ryan Rua each hit solo home runs off Royals left-hander Jason Vargas.

Rua extended his hitting streak to 10 games, while Martin went 3 for 3 and has reached base safely in 11 straight games.

“Another outing to get ready for the season,” Vargas said. “Obviously, you don’t want to give up four home runs. It happened.”

TEPESCH OPTIONED

The Rangers optioned RHP Nick Tepesch to Triple-A Round Rock a day after yielding seven runs in 3 2/3 innings to the Dodgers. Tepesch, who made 22 starts last year, had a 10.38 ERA in five outings. RHP Nick Martinez earned the final rotation slot with a 0.84 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.

STARTING TIME

Rangers: RHP Jamey Wright is pitching his way back into bullpen consideration after throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Wright, who failed to retire any of the seven Brewers he faced on March 21, has allowed three hits and no runs over 4 2/3 innings in his past two appearances. “Jamey is a known guy,” Banister said. “He’s probably had more multiple innings in the last few years than quite possibly any other reliever.”

Royals: Vargas, who allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings, has one more exhibition start left, in Houston. Is he ready for the season? “Yeah, I ain’t got no choice, right?” Vargas said. “I don’t think if I wasn’t ready, there would be no excuse. They give you all the time to prepare.”

FREEMAN DEBUTS

Left-hander Sam Freeman, who was acquired in a trade with the Cardinals on Saturday, made his Rangers’ debut, allowing a run and three hits in one inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: SS Elvis Andrus was scratched with lower back stiffness. RHP Tanner Scheppers had a MRI Monday on his bothersome right ankle.

Royals: OF Terrance Gore, who was a pinch runner on the postseason roster, broke his jaw when he was hit by a pitch in a minor league game.

DETWILER WORKS

Left-hander Ross Detwiler, who will be in the Rangers rotation, threw 97 pitches in 6 1/3 innings in a minor league intrasquad game, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and a walk.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jeremy Guthrie starts Tuesday against the Padres.

Rangers: LHP Derek Holland will face the Cubs at Surprise. In a split squad, Martinez will start against the Diamondbacks in Scottsdale.

— Associated Press —

Cardinals’ Wacha throws well again in win over Washington

Posted on March 30, 2015March 30, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Washington Nationals closer Drew Storen exited early because of a blister on his right big toe Monday in a 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Storen issued a two-out walk to Kolten Wong, then left the mound in the sixth inning.

“You start sweating, it gets hot, you start having friction down there and he developed a blister and then the next pitch it ripped,” Washington manager Matt Williams said.

The setback is the second of the spring for the right-handed Storen, who missed time after undergoing surgery to remove part of a bone in his left hand.

“We’ll re-evaluate him tomorrow and see how he is, but no need to push it at this point,” Williams said.

The lack of time table for Storen’s return is made more troublesome by the news that an MRI exam of reliever Casey Janssen’s shoulder showed rotator cuff tendinitis. Janssen is expected to be Washington’s primary setup man.

“He’s a question mark for opening day,” Williams said.

The injury report from Washington’s position players isn’t any more encouraging. Anthony Rendon was scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews for an exam on his ailing left knee.

St. Louis pitcher Michael Wacha pronounced himself ready for the season after allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out three in five innings.

Wacha, who missed much of last season with a stress fracture in his scapula, is pleased with how his arm performed this spring.

“I was real happy with the way it’s been bouncing back after each start and the way it feels throughout the game as well,” Wacha said.

STARTING TIME

Nationals: Washington sent minor leaguer Taylor Jordan south to face the Cardinals, keeping Max Scherzer, whose turn it would have been in the rotation, in Viera. Scherzer is expected to throw in a minor league game at the Nationals’ spring training complex on Tuesday as he prepares to be Washington’s opening-day starter.

Cardinals: Matheny said Carlos Martinez will get Wednesday’s start when St. Louis travels to face the New York Mets. John Lackey will throw in a minor league game that day. Lance Lynn gets the start in the Cardinals’ Grapefruit League finale on Thursday against the Mets.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: Outfielder Jayson Werth hit in a minor league game for the first time since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.

MORE OUTFIELD HELP

After the game, the Nationals announced on their Twitter account that they had signed outfielder Reed Johnson to a minor league deal that included a spring training invitation. The Marlins released Johnson earlier in the day.

UP NEXT

Nationals: Gio Gonzalez starts Tuesday against the New York Mets.

Cardinals: Ace Adam Wainwright will get his final start of the spring on Tuesday when the Cardinals play fellow Roger Dean Stadium tenant Miami.

— Associated Press —

Royals get three-hit by Cubs in 7-0 loss

Posted on March 29, 2015March 29, 2015

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Edwin Jackson arrived at the ballpark in time for a solid spring start with the Chicago Cubs.

Jackson allowed one hit in 4 2/3 innings, and the Cubs hit three homers in a 7-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Jackson struck out three and walked one. He was hit hard in his previous outing after he had trouble finding Oakland’s spring ballpark.

Jackson is competing for the last spot in the Cubs’ rotation after going 6-15 with a 6.33 ERA last season.

“It’s not going to be judged off one start,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s something I don’t worry about. Like I’ve been saying from the beginning, just go out and be myself and at the end of the day, whatever is going to happen is going to happen. No need to worry about it, just go out pitch your game and let the pieces fall into place.”

Miguel Montero, Matt Szczur and Junior Lake homered for Chicago, and Tommy La Stella went 3 for 3 and scored a run.

Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez struck out eight in five-plus innings. He was charged with two runs and six hits.

“I think this is the best one of all of whole spring training,” Volquez said.

Montero went deep in the first. Lake connected in the eighth against Wade Davis, who did not surrender a home run in 72 innings last season. Szczur hit his fourth spring homer in Chicago’s four-run ninth off Royals closer Greg Holland.

BRYANT PLAYS LEFT

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, one of the top prospects in the majors, made his second spring training start in left field. The team wants its young players to be able to play more than one position.

“You never know the need will arise,” manager Joe Maddon said. “All of a sudden, you could have a need here, and he hasn’t played there.”

Bryant went 0 for 3 at the plate, striking out twice. His spring batting average dropped to .425.

STARTING TIME

Cubs: Jackson entered with a 7.59 ERA in 10 2/3 spring innings.

“Just a better job of making adjustments,” Jackson said. “Miggy (Montero) did a great job of controlling the game behind the plate, mixing up pitches. We also had some great defensive plays. It was a little bit of everything working in my favor today.”

Royals: Volquez said he is close to being where he wants to be to start the season.

“I don’t want to say 100 percent,” Volquez said. “I’m think I’m probably 90 percent.”

OUT AT HOME

Cubs second baseman Javier Baez threw out Jarrod Dyson and Alex Gordon at the plate in the third inning. Gordon tried to score from first on Kendrys Morales’ double.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: OF Chris Denorfia has not played since March 17 because of a hamstring injury.

Royals: RF Alex Rios returned to the lineup after missing three games with a right thumb issue.

BAD OVERALL DAY

The Royals managed just three hits, and key relievers Davis and Holland allowed a total of five runs and six hits in a combined 1 2/3 innings.

“My fantasy NACAR team did as bad as we did today,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “It was a bad day all the way around. My A driver is Jimmy Johnson, who normally runs good at Martinsville, but he finished 35th today.”

UP NEXT

Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks starts Monday against the Giants.

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas starts Monday against Texas.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis loses to Mets in spring training action Sunday

Posted on March 29, 2015March 29, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Dillon Gee allowed singles to four of his first five batters, then settled in to pitch seven innings Sunday in the New York Mets’ 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Matt Carpenter and Jason Heyward opened the first with singles, but left fielder Michael Cuddyer threw out Carpenter at third. Matt Holliday singled, and the Cardinals pulled off a double steal, and shortstop Ruben Tejada turned Matt Adams’ liner into an unassisted double play.

Jhonny Peralta singled leading off the second, and Yadier Molina grounded into a 1-6-3 double play. Gee wound up allowing two runs and seven hits. Heyward hit an RBI triple in the third and scored on Holliday’s sacrifice fly.

“I definitely started executing a lot better as the game went on,” Gee said. “Early, I had trouble finding everything. Luckily, today I think the cutter allowed me to stay in the game long enough to figure it out.”

Lucas Duda had three hits, and Curtis Granderson had two hits and a walk.

Cardinals starter Marco Gonzales, pitching because Jaime Garcia’s shoulder is ailing, gave up one run, three hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.

Gonzales could start the season in the rotation, in the bullpen or in the rotation of Triple-A Memphis.

“I think those are three viable options,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

STARTING TIME

Mets: Collins wasn’t ready to say Gee will be in his starting rotation. “We’re going to wait a while,” Collins said. “We’ve got (Rafael Montero) tomorrow so we are excited to see that and we’ll make a decision as we go.”

Cardinals: Sunday’s start was the final in the Grapefruit League for Gonzales but he’ll likely get the ball on Friday when the Cardinals play an exhibition game at Memphis.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: Closer Bobby Parnell, returning from Tommy John surgery last April, threw 16 pitches in a minor league game and is on pace to make his 2015 debut in May. Second baseman Daniel Murphy took at-bats in a minor league game again on Sunday but can’t run because of a sore hamstring.

Cardinals: Garcia is expected to meet with team doctors in the coming days. The club doesn’t have a time table for Garcia’s return to the mound.

SITUATIONAL PLAY

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny will try to use his bench players as frequently as possible in situations they’ll encounter in the regular season during the final week of spring training. That will mean bringing left-handed reliever Randy Choate into games to face left-handed hitters. Choate allowed a double to Granderson and, following an intentional walk, an RBI single to Duda.

NO CONCERN FOR WONG

Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong, who is hitting .147, was given a day off. “He’s doing a lot of little things right,” Matheny said. “He’s not had a lot of results.”

CARDS MOVES

St. Louis optioned catcher Ed Easley, infielder Dean Anna and Xavier Scruggs to Memphis. The Cardinals also reassigned infielder Jacob Wilson to minor league camp.

UP NEXT

Michael Wacha is to make his final spring training start Monday against Washington and Taylor Jordan. The Mets play Miami and Dan Haren.

— Associated Press —

Royals’ pitchers dominate as KC blanks Seattle 3-0

Posted on March 26, 2015

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Felix Hernandez pitched two-hit ball for six innings in his longest outing of the spring Thursday as a split squad of Seattle Mariners lost to the Kansas City Royals 3-0.

Hernandez, the ace who led the AL with a 2.14 ERA last season, gave up one run. He struck out four and walked none.

“Changeup was nice, slider was good, fastball was unbelievable,” Hernandez said. “Got a lot of ground balls. It was good.”

Manager Lloyd McClendon thought so, too.

“Very good outing, one that I was anxious to see. It was very important to get him built up, get him up and down five or six times. He got the pitch count up where he needed to be,” McClendon said.

Hernandez retired the side in order in four of his six innings. A leadoff double by Christian Colon followed by a wild pitch and Jarrod Dyson’s sacrifice fly in the third produced the Royals’ run against Hernandez.

Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie shut out the Mariners on two hits for 5 2/3 innings. Closer Greg Holland relived and finished the sixth with a strikeout.

“It was good. Able to throw all my pitches for strikes and felt healthy and strong,” Guthrie said. “Kept it down for the most part.”

Ryan Jackson hit a two-run single with two outs in the eighth off reliever Danny Farquhar, who is in contention for a Seattle bullpen job.

Royals relievers Jason Frasor, Kelvin Herrera and Ryan Madson each pitched a scoreless inning.

Madson hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2011 because of complications from previous injuries.

“We’re really pleased with what he’s done so far. That’s been a really good find for us,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

BULLPEN BATTLE

The competition remains open for what might be six of seven bullpen spots on the Mariners’ opening-day roster, with right-handed closer Fernando Rodney the only sure thing. Two of the spots could be for left-handers with four more for right-handers. Charlie Furbush figures to be one lefty — he threw a scoreless inning Thursday. Veteran Joe Saunders and rookies Tyler Olson and David Rollins are competing to be the second lefty.

Olson continued to make his case Thursday, retiring the only batter he faced. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in eight spring appearances (9 2-/3 innings).

TRANSACTION

RHP Jandel Gustave was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. Gustave, a former Rule 5 draft pick, was waived by the Royals earlier this week.

STARTING TIME

Royals: Guthrie is already slotted as the fifth starter in the rotation. He’ll get one more spring training outing in Arizona and will throw at some point when the Royals play in Houston before the regular season starts.

“It was his day,” Yost said. “He was just sharp. He was executing all his pitches. His changeup was just phenomenal. He was consistently down in the zone … Hernandez looked really, really good and Guthrie just matched him.”

Mariners: Hernandez is in line for one more start before he takes the ball on opening day. He finished his afternoon with some additional pitches in the bullpen.

“I feel I’m where I want to be,” Hernandez said. He’s looking forward to an opener in Seattle in front of the King’s Court, his legion of devoted fans that occupy sections at Safeco Field.

“Going to be fun. It’s been a while,” he said. “You’ve got to be pumped. But I’ll be calm.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Alex Rios is day-to-day with a bruised thumb.

UP NEXT

Royals: Opening day starter Yordano Ventura has a 10.29 spring ERA, but he allowed only a run on four hits in five innings on March 21. He starts Friday against Seattle.

Mariners: James Paxton continues to work his way back to regular-season form after an injury delayed his start to spring training. He’ll start vs. the Royals on Friday.

— Associated Press —

Cards’ Wainwright struggles in loss to Miami

Posted on March 26, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright gave up four runs, including a solo homer by Giancarlo Stanton, in 3 2/3 innings Thursday before a rain delay ended his outing in a 5-3 loss to the Miami Marlins.

Wainwright gave up six hits in his second spring start and struggled with his fastball.

After rain held up play for 55 minutes, Wainwright went to the indoor batting cages for more work. Pitching coach Derek Lilliquist noticed a flaw in Wainwright’s mechanics.

“It’s the best I felt all spring,” said Wainwright, whose spring progression was slowed by an early abdominal strain. “I know it’s not against hitters, but it translates for me.”

Wainwright threw 65 pitches on the field and an estimated 25 more in the cage.

“I went from being kind of frustrated with the way I pitched and then I left that cage thinking I’m ready for next time,” Wainwright said.

Jason Heyward hit his first home run with St. Louis.

Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez allowed two runs and four hits in three innings.

Wainwright walked one batter and hit another as part of a two-run third inning. Christian Yelich singled home Alvarez in the fourth on the last pitch Wainwright threw.

STARTING TIME

Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny has yet to officially announce Wainwright as the opening day starter, but everything is falling into place for that to happen.

“I think the first day we were talking about how to make it work so that Adam could throw then, but if we have any kind of hiccup we’ve got other guys that, because of some of the extra rest with the off days, we’d be covered,” Matheny said.

Marlins: Miami scratched Jarred Cosart from Friday’s scheduled start because of a blister on his middle finger. Instead, the Marlins will give the ball to Brad Hand, who will likely begin the season in Miami’s bullpen.

“It’s nice to have that strength and depth guys that can not only pitch out of the bullpen but also be starters for us,” manager Mike Redmond said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Matt Carpenter, removed from Wednesday’s game after being hit in the quadriceps by a pitch from Max Scherzer, returned to the lineup and went 1 for 2.

SCRUBBED CLEAN

No member of the Marlins starting lineup returned following the rain delay. St. Louis kept three players: Randal Grichuk, Dean Anna and Pete Kozma.

HEYWARD POP

Matheny said he wasn’t worried that Heyward didn’t have an extra-base hit prior to his first-inning homer, saying he’d seen enough line drives and balls hit barely foul to believe those hits are coming.

“Hopefully he’s not going to start trying to do too much because of all the talk, but I’m not concerned about it at all,” Matheny said.

KOZ AND EFFECT

Light-hitting Cardinals utility infielder Pete Kozma led all National League batters this spring going into the game, then went 1 for 2 to raise his average to .455.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Split-squad games on Friday. John Lackey will face Matt Harvey and the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium while the Carlos Martinez-led squad will head to Viera to face Jordan Zimmermann and the Nationals.

Miami expects to face Dallas Keuchel when it travels to play Houston.

— Associated Press —

Yordano Ventura will start opening day for Kansas City

Posted on March 25, 2015

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Yordano Ventura has been picked to pitch on opening day for the AL champion Kansas City Royals against the Chicago White Sox.

The 23-year-old right-hander went 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA as a rookie last season and tossed seven scoreless innings to beat San Francisco in Game 6 of the World Series.

The announcement was made by Royals manager Ned Yost on Wednesday.

James Shields, the team’s No. 1 starter last year, signed with San Diego in the offseason.

Yost says left-hander Danny Duffy and right-hander Edinson Volquez will follow the hard-throwing Ventura in the rotation during the season-opening series against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

Duffy was 9-12 with a 2.53 ERA last season. Kansas City signed Volquez to a two-year contract in December after he went 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA last season for Pittsburgh.

Yost says lefty Jason Vargas and right-hander Jeremy Guthrie will round out the rotation in that order.

— Associated Press —

Wacha throws well as Cardinals defeat Washington 1-0

Posted on March 25, 2015March 25, 2015

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Max Scherzer looked amply ready to start on opening day for Washington, striking out nine in six shutout innings during the Nationals’ 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

Nationals manager Matt Williams recently announced that the newly acquired Scherzer would make his first career start in an opener. Washington begins at home against the New York Mets on April 6.

Making his fifth start of the spring, the former AL Cy Young Award winner allowed only three hits. He didn’t walk anyone and threw 59 of 82 pitches for strikes.

“That was a result of me executing pitches today,” Scherzer said. “I felt like I did a good job of generating swings and misses with all my pitches, but more importantly I didn’t walk anybody. I was pounding the zone.”

“I think I only fell behind two hitters, too, so that’s a more telling number than anything,” he said.

Scherzer also hit Matt Carpenter with a pitch. The Cardinals said he had a bruise on his right quadriceps.

“He wasn’t happy about it, but it was one of those things that it hit him kind of square on the quad and that can potentially lead to something else, so why mess with it?” manager Mike Matheny said.

Matheny also removed Kolten Wong as a precaution after the second baseman was hit by a pitch leading off the eighth.

Cardinals starter Michael Wacha also enjoyed a strong outing, giving up four hits in 5 2/3 innings and striking out four.

Wacha retired 13 of 14 batters at one stretch, a string only interrupted by his first walk this spring.

Ty Kelly hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

STARTING TIME

Nationals: Stephen Strasburg threw a bullpen on Tuesday and is ready to appear in a Grapefruit League game, manager Matt Williams said. Strasburg rolled an ankle in the weight room, causing him to miss what would have been his third scheduled spring start.

“We’ll just slate him in later on at the end of the week,” Williams said.

Cardinals: Matheny said John Lackey will start in Friday’s split-squad game at Roger Dean Stadium against the Mets, while Carlos Martinez will head to Viera to face the Nationals.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: Jayson Werth played only in the field in a minor league game on Wednesday. Afterward, he was scheduled to get more aggressive with his batting practice. Werth underwent offseason shoulder surgery and has yet to appear in an exhibition game.

“I’m encouraged by him,” Williams said. “There’s no issue with throwing, so that’s a good sign.”

Closer Drew Storen appeared in a minor league game on Wednesday. He underwent surgery to repair a broken non-throwing hand earlier this spring. He is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

Cardinals: Tommy Pham, whose candidacy for the final outfield spot is running out of time, did some running before the game but still isn’t ready to play because of a quad injury.

“I don’t think he’s that far away,” Matheny said.

MIDSEASON FORM

The Cardinals’ lineup looked much the same as it is expected to look once the season begins, which means Jon Jay hitting seventh and Wong batting eighth. To Matheny, that’s a formidable look.

“That’s not a whole lot of time for the opposing team to breathe,” Matheny said. “Either one of those guys could really hurt you at any time.”

UP NEXT

Nationals: Gio Gonzalez makes his fourth spring start, facing the Nationals.

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright will make his second spring start when St. Louis is at home against Henderson Alvarez and Miami.

— Associated Press —

Fox Sports Kansas City to broadcast Royals preseason games

Posted on March 25, 2015

FOX Sports Kansas City will televise its first Royals Spring Training game of 2015 Wednesday night. The broadcast from Surprise Statium in Arizona starts at 8pm Central Time.

Ryan Lefebvre, Rex Hudler and Joel Goldberg will call the action when the Royals host the White Sox. In addition, former Royal Bo Jackson is scheduled to join the telecast for an interview during the second inning.

The Royals play again on FOX Sports Kansas City on Friday, vs. the Mariners. FOX Sports Kansas City will also air Saturday’s game vs. the Diamondbacks and the Tuesday, March 31 game vs. the Padres.

Royals Spring Training games on FOX Sports Kansas City
Wednesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. CT (White Sox at Royals)
Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. CT (Mariners at Royals)
Saturday, March 28 at 3 p.m. CT (Royals at Diamondbacks)
Tuesday, March 31 at 9 p.m. CT (Royals at Padres)