GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Mike Leake cut his long hair before the start of spring training, and that’s not the only major change for the right-hander.
The 25-year-old right-hander is no longer assured a spot in the rotation. That fifth starter’s spot is open to competition between Leake and left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who is getting a chance to move from the closer’s role.
Leake went 8-9 with a 4.56 ERA last season and got hit hard in his one playoff appearance.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Leake said. “You try to learn from what you did or didn’t do. For the most part, you just try to move on. You try to get back to where you were mentally or physically, whatever it is that you needed fixing. You don’t dwell on bad years.”
Barring injury, the rest of the Reds’ rotation is set with right-handers Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo and Homer Bailey.
Nats pitcher awaits word on PEDs
Washington pitcher Gio Gonzalez says he and the Nationals are still waiting to hear from Major League Baseball, which is conducting an investigation linking him and other players to an anti-aging clinic in Coral Gables.
Gonzalez, 27, has denied he ever received performance-enhancing drugs from Tony Bosch’s now-closed Biogenesis of America clinic. ESPN reported Gonzalez was the only client named so far who had not received PEDs.
Stanton plunked by teammate
Giancarlo Stanton was hit in the back of the helmet during a Miami intrasquad game by a fastball that got away from top pitching prospect Jose Fernandez. Stanton remained on his feet but left the game.
“I wasn’t dizzy,” he said. “I saw a little grayness and fuzziness on the outside of my eyes, but it’s subsiding now.”
Stanton said he didn’t expect to miss any time.
Around the leagues
San Francisco left-hander Javier Lopez will miss up to a week after a warm-up pitch hit him on the top of his left hand during practice. … Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes (bulging disk) could be sidelined for two weeks. …
Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy (strained right side) is day-to-day. … Boston acquired first baseman Mike Carp from Seattle for a player to be named later or cash. … Kansas City manager Ned Yost had surgery to remove his gall bladder. … Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda pleaded no contest to driving under the influence.
