LEADING OFF: Smith gets freak injury; Puig, Kazmir banged up

Posted March 26, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE - In this Tuesday, March 1, 2016 file photo, Milwaukee Brewers' Will Smith throws during a spring training baseball workout in Phoenix. The Milwaukee Brewers will start the season without reliever Will Smith, who tore a ligament in his right knee while taking his spikes off after a game, Saturday, March 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona on Sunday:

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ON THE WRONG FOOT

The Brewers will start the season without reliever Will Smith, who tore a ligament in his right knee while taking his spikes off after a game. "I pulled hard (on the shoe) and it stayed on," he said. "My knee just went up and popped."

MORE DODGER BLUES

Dodgers fans are hoping for good news on OF Yasiel Puig and LHP Scott Kazmir. Puig was scratched Saturday for the banged-up Dodgers with a tight left hamstring after exiting a game Friday, while Kazmir had his scheduled five-inning stint cut short Saturday after experiencing an abdominal issue. The Dodgers said both players were held out for precautionary reasons. Puig is day to day and Kazmir said he'll make his next scheduled start.

LEFTY SET BACK

Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson has been shut down after throwing a pair of bullpen sessions while trying to work back from left shoulder tendinitis. He'll try to strengthen his shoulder before continuing a throwing program.

STORY BEGINS

It looks like the Rockies have their opening day shortstop. Manager Walt Weiss started Trevor Story on Saturday as part of his "A'' lineup - one Weiss said was "pretty close" to what he has planned for opening day. Story responded with his fifth homer of spring training and two doubles in an 8-6 win over Texas.

GOOD TIMING

A's reliever Sean Doolittle is looking good for opening day after battling a triceps issue and food poisoning this spring. The left-hander pitched Saturday for the first time since March 13, throwing a perfect inning on six pitches. "It happened at the right time in camp," Doolittle said. "I knew I was going to have enough time to get back in some games before we left."

IMPROVED PANDA

Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who has been limited by a back injury, took ground balls in Fort Myers on Saturday and swung from both sides of the plate. "The last two days have been a marked improvement for Panda," manager John Farrell said. "How he checks out tomorrow gives us a better indication of when he gets back in a game."

Baltimore Orioles' J.J. Hardy follows through on a two-run home run swing off a pitch from Boston Red Sox starter Justin Haley as catcher Sandy Leon watches in the third inning of a spring training baseball game, Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Sarasota, Fla. The shot scored Pedro Alvarez. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) The Associated Press

Baltimore Orioles' J.J. Hardy rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off of Boston Red Sox's Justin Haley in the third inning of a spring training baseball game, Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Sarasota, Fla. The shot scored Pedro Alvarez. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) The Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Trevor Story celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) The Associated Press

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