PHOENIX — After watching the YouTube promotional video of the five-tool outfielder with a sculpted body and freakish athleticism, the Athletics were eager to see Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes up close.
“He’s finally here,” catcher Kurt Suzuki said. “We hear about the potential and the tools and all that stuff. I’m not just excited to see him hit but excited to see him working out with the team.”
Cespedes certainly didn’t disappoint.
The 26-year-old Cespedes worked out with the Athletics for the first time Sunday. The slugging outfielder performed some agility drills to measure his vertical leap and took batting practice with Manny Ramirez and Cedric Hunter during a highly anticipated session in which he sprayed pitches to all fields and sent a couple of souvenirs over the walls.
He then shagged flyballs with Ramirez and signed autographs for fans on a day when there wasn’t a spring training game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, just a spectacle.
“I’m very happy to be here because I feel I’m very close to my dream to play in the big leagues,” said Cespedes, who played in Cuba’s top league for eight seasons before defecting in 2011 to the Dominican Republic with his mother, an aunt and four cousins.
Wainwright awaits return
JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright isn’t trying to make too big a deal about his upcoming spring training start.
Sure, it’s his first time pitching in a game since he was sidelined in 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season because of elbow surgery.
But after a year of rehab and waiting to get back on the mound, Wainwright knows Friday’s start against Minnesota won’t be just another day either.
“I’m normally not a butterfly guy. I expect some butterflies,” he said after throwing his final batting practice session in preparation for the appearance.
Surgery set for Zumaya
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Oft- injured reliever Joel Zumaya has told the Twins he will have reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in his latest comeback attempt.
Twins general manager Terry Ryan confirmed that Zu- maya made the decision this weekend. Noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews will perform the Tommy John ligament replacement procedure on Zumaya’s throwing arm.
Footnotes. Indians right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez allowed five runs (only one earned) in one inning in his spring debut against the Reds. “It doesn’t look good in the papers, but I threw the ball good,” Jimenez said. “People that know baseball know that things like this happen.”
• Brewers right fielder Corey Hart needs surgery on his right knee that will sideline him for up to a month.
• Braves pitcher Julio Teheran was tagged for six home runs in just two innings in a loss to the Tigers.
