TUCSON — Reliever Rafael Betancourt, right fielder Brad Hawpe and Greg Reynolds will miss at least the first three spring training games as precautionary measures.
Betancourt is building up strength after a winter illness. Hawpe is easing back after dealing with an in-grown toenail last week, and Reynolds was struck above his right elbow with a line drive Monday, likely ending any shot of him pitching Friday against the Giants.
Betancourt, 34, arrived in spring training noticeably lighter, earning praise from manager Jim Tracy. Turns out he dropped 10 pounds while stricken with a virus that left him unable to work out from Dec. 27 to Jan. 19. He’s still building strength and stamina, so he asked to be scratched from Thursday’s Cactus League opener. He will throw live batting practice sessions Tuesday and Friday, after which his game schedule will be mapped out.
“There’s no reason to rush it right now,” said Betancourt, who resumed training in late January. “It’s one thing to lose weight, but that’s not the way I wanted to do it.”
Jorge De La Rosa will take Betancourt’s spot Thursday. “It’s fine. I am ready. At least I hope I am,” De La Rosa said with a smirk.
Hawpe, 30, resumed baseball activities Monday after allowing a few days for his infected toe to heal. He probably won’t play until this weekend, at the earliest.
“We don’t want two days to become 10 days if he fouls a ball off his foot,” Tracy said.
Reynolds, 24, can’t seem to end his streak of bad luck. He made just one minor-league start last season, sabotaged by a rare shoulder problem that required corrective surgery. After a warmup stint in the Dominican Republic this winter, the 6-foot-7 right-hander was encouraged by his progress this spring. Asked if he would miss his scheduled two-inning stint Friday, “More than likely.”
Footnotes
Jeff Francis was beaming when he walked into the clubhouse Monday following Canada’s Olympic gold medal win in hockey. “I am walking two inches off the ground,” said Francis of his redemption after Canada’s earlier loss to Team USA.
… Center fielder Dexter Fowler did not practice Monday because of flu-like symptoms.
… Ubaldo Jimenez on pitching three innings Friday because he’s so far along after throwing in winter ball. “I would go six if they let me.”
… Catcher Wil Rosario and center fielder Chris Frey provided the highlight moments in Monday’s scrimmage. The young catcher hit a home run, and Frey made a diving over-the-shoulder catch off a line drive. “You may not see a better play all spring,” Tracy said.
