As the MLB lockout continued to span multiple months and have an affected on the start of Spring Training, the Players Association (MLBPA) took action by establishing a workout camp at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Arizona.
The 320-acre facility is home to Legacy Sports USA‘s youth, adult and amateur sports teams, and has also hosted an array of concerts and other events. The state-of-the-art facility has provided MLB players with an environment that mirrors a Spring Training complex.
Since the MLBPA arranged for the camp to be opened, players from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Dodgers and eligible free agents have passed through for workouts.
Dodgers teammates Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson were among those on hand Thursday to throw bullpen sessions, and Will Smith took batting practice, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson throwing at the MLBPA camp in Mesa today pic.twitter.com/BzrIMwSTWu
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) March 10, 2022
Will Smith out here today too pic.twitter.com/4GNQdEUlUu
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) March 10, 2022
Graterol is looking to rebound from a slow spring last year that arguably played a role in having an inconsistent 2021 regular season. He was aided by making mechanical adjustments, one of which was brought to Graterol’s attention by Justin Turner.
Meanwhile, Ferguson expects to be a full participant in Spring Training as he is now 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander recently said he anticipated pitching without any restrictions come the start of the regular season.
Smith is entering a third season as the Dodgers’ starting catcher, and he was recently ranked by ESPN’s Buster Olney as the fourth-best player at his position.
MLB, MLBPA clear international draft hurdle
After collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations broke down Wednesday, MLB and the MLBPA resumed talks by tentatively agreeing to officially deciding on an international draft by July 25.
That wound up proving key as a new CBA was in place hours later, ending the MLB lockout. Spring Training camps are due to open Sunday, and Opening Day of the 2022 regular season is set for April 7.
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