Spring Training Update from Andre Knott

(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Notes from Goodyear

-With less than 3 weeks before the Indians start their season in Minnesota here is the latest from Arizona.

-On Saturday Bradley Zimmer and Francisco Lindor both took steps towards getting back into the lineup as both took batting practice and then went and hit in a simulated game.

-Zimmer also made throws from the outfield to all the bases. He’s been impressive in batting practice, the next step for him is to be able to do this daily. He is building up his shoulder for the wear and tear of a season but still most likely a tad away from playing in a game.

-Lindor is doing more and more daily but there is still no set timetable on when he will be able to play in a game. But all signs have been pointing up in his recovery.

-More Saturday nuggets. Shane Beiber was excellent as he pitched 4 shutout innings vs Colorado, allowing just 1 hit, w 4 strikeouts. The numbers are nice, but how he effectively went through the Rockies lineup is what impressed those that watched. His fastball got up to 94, but he mixed in a slider and a change up that had batters in a funk. Everyone knows the top 4 starters for the Tribe, if Beiber can match this type production come the regular season, LOOK OUT.

-The right-hander is now 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA (1ER/9.0IP) in Cactus League Play.

-DH MATT JOYCE (2-for-3, R) got the scoring started for the Tribe, hitting a 2-out single in the bottom of the 3rd. The Indians broke the game open with a 5-run 6th inning courtesy of a 2-run triple by RF TRAYCE THOMPSON (1-for-3), an RBI-single by SS RYAN FLAHERTY (1-for-2, BB) and a 2-out 2-run single from 1B NELSON RODRIGUEZ (1-for-2)

-The tough news on Saturday came when reliever Tyler Clippard left the game after recording two outs and allowing a hit. was removed from the game today in the 6th inning with right pectoral tightness.

-On Sunday the Tribe used a huge 7 run 4th inning to help lead them to a 16-2 win over Seattle. Carlos Carrasco had his first start of the spring and allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits and striking out 4 over 3 innings.

-The offense was paced by CF OSCAR MERCADO (3-for-3, 2B, 3RBI, 2R) launched his third home run of the spring to tie the game at one apiece in the top of the 3rd inning. In 14 Cactus League games, Mercado is hitting .444 (12-for-27) with a double, triple, three home runs and eight RBI.

-Ten other Tribe batters drove in a run, including DH HANLEY RAMIREZ (1-for-4, 2B, 2RBI), 2B RYAN FLAHERTY (1-for-3, HR, 2RBI, R) 3B JOSE RAMIREZ (0-for-1, BB, RBI, R), C KEVIN PLAWECKI (1-for-2, BB, RBI, R), C TIM FEDEROWICZ (2-for-2, HR, RBI, R), RF BRANDON BARNES (1-for-2, HR, RBI, 2R), LF MATT JOYCE (2-for-3, RBI, R), CF DANIEL JOHNSON (1-for-2, 2B, RBI, R) and SS ERIC STAMETS (1-for-2, BB, 2B, 3RBI, R). Federowicz (1st of spring) and Barnes (2nd of spring) hit back-to-back homers to lead off the 8th inning.


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