Kluber looks ready for season, sharp at Rays camp
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Rays are easing their pitchers into this abbreviated Spring Training, giving them a full nine days to ramp up their activity levels before they start appearing in games. But veteran starter Corey Kluber came ready for action, and it showed during his first live batting practice session on Tuesday morning.
Kluber pitched two live BP “innings” against teammates Wander Franco, Randy Arozarena, Ji-Man Choi and Brett Phillips on the main field at Charlotte Sports Park. His stuff was sharp, if the cutter that sawed off the end of Arozarena’s bat was any indication.
“Klubes was probably the highlight to see out there. He looked very good, just standing behind [the plate] -- a lot of late action, and where the velocity was, it's going to get to where he pitches at,” manager Kevin Cash said. “It's pretty impressive, again, how much work they've done leading up. You don't just look like that with just showing up, so they've worked hard. And same with the hitters; there were some good swings in there.”
The Rays won’t use any Major League pitchers during their first three Grapefruit League games, instead allowing them to progress from bullpens to live BPs and then into game action. Kluber will likely throw another two- or three-inning session this week before he slots into the schedule, for example. The former Cy Young Award winner said he’d built up his pitch count during the lockout to a higher total than he threw Tuesday, but that was roughly in line with his first live BP outing of every spring.
“I think my biggest fear coming into Spring Training is being behind and then having to try to play catch up, and then you try to do things too quick and you set yourself up for error that way, whether it be injury or trying to do too much too early and you get out of whack mechanically,” Kluber said. “I have a pretty good idea of where I usually come into Spring Training at, so even though we were in the middle of the lockout, I tried to get to that point in time and just kind of idle there for a while so that, whenever it was ready, I'd have the feeling of being prepared and not trying to play catch up.”
The Rays are intrigued by what Kluber can bring to their rotation after posting a 3.83 ERA in 16 starts for the Yankees last season, but they’re also excited to see how his renowned work ethic rubs off on their younger starters. At least four of them – Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Yarbrough and Josh Fleming – watched from the dugouts as Kluber pitched on Tuesday.
“We've been surrounded by some really good veteran pitchers here the last couple years to help these young guys. And when you look at Corey's resume, it's right at the top of all those guys,” said catcher Mike Zunino, who caught one of Kluber’s offseason bullpens at the University of Tampa. “Just knowing how he works, knowing his professionalism, he's a guy that knows what he's doing, goes about his business. And it's just another guy that's going to be a great example for these young guys.”
Bruján’s spring: Gray hair, golden opportunity
Versatile prospect Vidal Bruján has been on the receiving end of a few jokes early in camp due to his dyed gray hair. Cash noted Monday he’d “never seen anybody try to do gray” and quipped that the 24-year-old was, apparently, trying to look like his manager.
“Yeah,” Bruján said Tuesday through interpreter Manny Navarro. “Something like that.”
The Rays’ No. 2 prospect confirmed the choice of color was intentional, saying he “just wanted to be a little different” and give fans a taste of his personality. If everything goes according to plan, they’ll see plenty of him at Tropicana Field this season.
Bruján’s debut last July was brief, as he picked up just two singles in 26 plate appearances and stole one base in 10 games with the Rays, but he’s expected to play a more significant role at some point this year. The switch-hitting speedster can play around the infield and all three outfield spots, making him a candidate for either an Opening Day bench job or an early season callup.
“Mentally and physically, I think I feel fine for this kind of opportunity, and I’m going to continue to work hard every single day like I normally do,” he said.
Bruján was excellent with Triple-A Durham last year, hitting .262/.345/.440 with 12 homers and 44 steals in 103 games, even if it didn’t immediately translate to the Majors. The rookie felt he gained something important from the experience, though: an understanding of what it takes to succeed at the next level.
“Definitely be a little more calm. Don’t be so eager. Don’t be too excited. Be calm,” he said. “When you see all the veterans that were around, you could see that they’re a lot more relaxed than some of the younger guys.”
Worth noting
• The Rays on Tuesday signed left-hander Cody Reed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Reed, who will wear No. 54, pitched 12 games for Tampa Bay last season but ended the year on the injured list following a thoracic outlet syndrome decompression procedure.
• After hitting in the indoor cage Tuesday morning, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (stiff neck) was limited again during the rest of the workout. He did not throw or take batting practice on the field, but Cash said Kiermaier was “full-go” shagging fly balls in the outfield, and that he felt fine running.