Several Los Angeles Dodgers position players have been in camp since last week, but on Monday they were officially due to report for Spring Training. And though the first full-squad workout wasn’t to take place until Tuesday, the backfields at Camelback Ranch were plenty busy.
Of course, that’s been the case since pitchers and catchers began their official workouts. Monday saw Mookie Betts join the likes the Cody Bellinger, Kiké Hernandez, Max Muncy and Justin Turner, among others.
Betts first arrived at Camelback Ranch the day after he and David Price were formally introduced at Dodger Stadium. The sun had yet to rise, and that’s been a common theme with the 2018 American League MVP.
“He’s in and out before I’m awake,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joked. “He’s been here in the cage. We’re all excited. He’s kind of early bird gets the worm type of deal. I’m trying to push the clock back a little bit. I’m still in dream mode at that point in time.”
Roberts will address the Dodgers before their first full-squad workout, but as of Monday he’d yet to truly hone in on what will be said. Roberts has largely attempted to downplay the Houston Astros’ scandal, but it’s become increasingly difficult with each passing day.
“The message that, that’s still TBD in light of what’s kind of transpired the last couple days,” Roberts said. “I think first and foremost is to just welcome everyone together. We’ve got some new faces but the goals don’t change.
“It’s just kind of skewing more towards something being said. I think for the most part we have guys that really understand they have some things they want to say. But as we get together, we still have to play baseball, and that’s the most important thing.”
Keeping the focus on the field is an approach Betts has already advocated. He is due to become a free agent after the 2020 season, and thus far has declined to discuss potential scenarios.
What Betts was willing to touch on is playing alongside a fellow MVP winner. “It definitely is going to be pretty special,” he said of sharing the field with Bellinger. “He won the MVP last year, so he’s definitely going to put on a show and I’ll do my best to keep up with him.
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