MESA, Ariz. — Danny Salazar breezed through his first outing for the Cleveland Indians this spring. No extra adrenaline from facing the Chicago Cubs. No interest in revisiting the World Series.
Just another day at work.
Salazar pitched two crisp innings, and Cleveland and Chicago played to a 1-1 tie in the Cactus League on Sunday.
“I was just trying to work on my fastball,” said Salazar, who allowed one hit and struck out three. “Trying to work down on it and the first guy that I face, it was a walk. But after that, just trying to relax and try to get my tempo back.”
The Indians were hit hard by injuries last season, but still won the AL Central and made it all the way to the World Series. Then they won three of the first four games against Chicago, but the Cubs rallied for their first title since 1908, winning in the 10th inning of Game 7.
The rematch — in name only, really — looked nothing like their classic meeting last fall, with each side taking the opportunity to a look at several players in front of a sellout crowd of 15,388 on a typically sunny Arizona day. Cubs manager Joe Maddon called it just another spring game, and Salazar sounded a similar note.
“What happened already happened,” he said. “I think that’s the past. This is a new year and we have a new goal and right now we’re just trying to get ready for the season.”
Salazar missed the final part of last season because of tightness in his right forearm, but returned in the World Series and pitched three scoreless innings in relief. He went 11-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 25 starts last year before he got hurt, making the All-Star team for the first time.
“I think if you keep yourself healthy, you know there’s a lot of things that you can do,” he said.
Albert Almora Jr. walked and scored in the fourth for Chicago. Almora is expected to share time in center field with Jon Jay after Dexter Fowler signed with St. Louis as a free agent.
Jake Buchanan pitched two hitless innings for the Cubs, and Matt Szczur went 2 for 2 with an RBI single.
Hamilton may need another knee surgery
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton went to Houston on Sunday, facing the possibility of another knee surgery in his bid to return to the majors.
The 35-year-old Hamilton will be examined Monday by the same doctor who performed reconstructive surgery on his left knee last June.
The Rangers acknowledge Hamilton might require arthroscopic knee surgery. If he does, Hamilton would likely be out four to six weeks and then need a minor league rehab assignment.
Hamilton was the 2010 AL MVP with Texas. He played just one game in the minors last season while recovering, and was in camp this year on a minor league contract.
Hamilton was a five-time All-Star as an outfielder. He has been working out this spring at first base to put less wear and tear on the knee.
Bourn injured catching football in workout
SARASOTA, Fla. — Baltimore outfielder Michael Bourn hasn’t played football since his sophomore year in high school. But it’s a pigskin injury that’s preventing him from playing this spring for the Orioles.
On Friday, the speedy 34-year-old broke his right ring finger catching a football at a workout. Bourn, who signed a minor league contract on Feb. 20, will be out for four weeks, making it difficult for him to be ready for Baltimore’s April 3 opener. He’ll make $2 million if he’s put on the 40-man roster.
Bourn has difficult competition. Another veteran major league outfielder, Craig Gentry, signed two days before, plus the Orioles want to take long looks at Rule 5 outfielders Anthony Santander and Aneury Tavarez. Joey Rickard, a Rule 5 pick who played with the team last season, is also a serious contender.
