Carlos Beltran admits 'stain' on Astros' 2017 World Series title
Carlos Beltran, a key figure in Houston's sign-stealing scandal, admitted that the Astros' 2017 title is tainted.APRIL 3, 2022
Dodgers mailbag: Who sticks around long-term? Is the bench better?Is Gavin Lux the Dodgers shortstop of the future? Can they send Cody Bellinger to the minors? We have answers as Opening Day approaches.
APRIL 3, 2022•THEATHLETIC.COM
Phil Bickford - Makes spring debutBickford (arm) tossed a perfect inning against San Francisco in a Cactus League contest Saturday. He struck out two.
ImpactBickford entered camp battling arm soreness, so he wasn't able to get into his first spring contest until Saturday. Despite the delayed start, the right-hander pitched as if he was in midseason form, needing only 13 pitches to get three outs -- two of which came via strikeout. Bickford isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day, but he should occupy a key role in the Dodgers' bullpen once he's fully ramped up.
APRIL 3, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Craig Kimbrel - Knocked around in Dodgers debutKimbrel allowed four runs on four hits and struck out one over one-third of an inning in a Cactus League contest against San Francisco on Saturday.
ImpactKimbrel's tenure as a Dodger got off to an inauspicious start, as he allowed a hit to each of the first four batters he faced. Two of those left the yard, and he was ultimately charged with four earned runs. The veteran did end his outing on a positive note with a punchout, but it wasn't the type of performance Los Angeles envisioned when acquiring him via trade Friday. Of course, spring training blowups don't tend to mean much in the big picture, and Kimbrel remains penciled in to begin the campaign as the Dodgers' closer.
APRIL 3, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Kervin Castro - Has edge for roster spotCastro is viewed as a favorite to earn a bullpen spot on the Giants' Opening Day roster, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
ImpactCastro has allowed one run on four hits and five walks while striking out eight in 4.1 innings through three Cactus League games. That one run came Saturday versus the Dodgers. The right-hander is an option for a bulk relief role -- he logged 13.1 innings without allowing an earned run in 10 appearances last season. He also went 6-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 44 innings with Triple-A Sacramento in 2021, so the 23-year-old should be a good fit for a major-league bullpen without many defined roles.
APRIL 3, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Zack Littell - Solid in springLittell has allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout in three innings across three Cactus League games.
ImpactLittell was very effective in 2021, working in everything from an opener role to a fill-in at closer occasionally. He posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 63:24 K:BB with a 4-0 record, two saves and five holds in 61.2 innings. Entering 2022, Giants manager Gabe Kapler still hesitates to give strictly defined roles to his relievers. Jake McGee, Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers are expected to be in the closer committee, while Littell's versatility will see him often work in the middle innings. Given his 3.86 FIP from last season, he'll likely face a little regression in 2022.
APRIL 3, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Giants bullpen offers deep, effective mix with no set closer
Coming off a franchise-record 107 wins and a division crown, the San Francisco Giants will open the season with a bullpen stocked with experienced, proven relievers but without a d...APRIL 3, 2022•ASSOCIATED PRESS
