Wednesday marked yet another day of busy Spring Training action in the world of Major League Baseball. A reigning Cy Young winner made his first start of the spring, while a budding ace of the future showed the baseball world what he could do on the mound. Here’s a look at highlights from Wednesday’s action.
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Painter Did Some Work
Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter made his Spring Training debut on Wednesday, and he didn’t disappoint. Against the Twins, Painter pitched two innings for Philadelphia in a game that ended at a 4-4 tie. The young right-hander did give up a run and three hits, but he did strike out one and got his fastball up to 99 MPH.
The 19-year-old has only made five starts above A ball, but Painter does have a legitimate chance of making it to the Opening Day roster. If not, expect the fireballer to be up with the Phillies in the very near future.
J-Hey Goes Deep
After seven seasons and a World Series championship with the Cubs, new Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward will look to make the Los Angeles roster as a non-roster invitee. Armed with a new swing, Heyward hit his first home run of the spring on Wednesday against former Dodgers lefty Andrew Heaney.
Heyward is in a pretty interesting position at the moment. With Gavin Lux now out for all of 2023 after sustaining a torn ACL, it does leave another spot open on Los Angeles’ roster. Miguel Rojas seems primed to be the regular shortstop, but utilityman Chris Taylor may also be in line for starts at short. If the Dodgers want to fill Lux’s roster spot with an outfielder, Heyward could be the answer.
Two Mets Infielders Hit Bombs
It was a busy day, offensively, for the Mets on Tuesday. SS Francisco Lindor and 1B Pete Alonso went deep in the Mets’ 8-4 win over Miami. Both Lindor and Alonso, key pieces of the Mets’ offense last year, went 1-3. But those two weren’t the only notable Mets to go yard. Infield prospect Ronny Mauricio, who has already cranked two massive bombs in Spring Training, hit his third today.
It’s been quite a showing for Mauricio, who could be a very interesting piece for the Mets moving forward. Even though he’s blocked at short by Lindor, it’s possible that the switch-hitter could be moved to an outfield position to work him into the Mets’ future plans.
Wednesday also marked the Spring Training debut for reigning NL Cy Young winner and Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara threw two scoreless innings against the Mets.
