SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister remembers the first time he saw Bartolo Colon pitch was in Class A ball in 1995."He was young and throwing a million it seemed like," Banister said. "Hitters didn't really enjoy getting into the batter's box."Colon is no longer throwing a mid-90s fastball, but at age 44 he is still throwing and retiring hitters. He is in the Rangers camp on a minor league contract with a fastball that averaged 87.8 mph last season.In his spring training debut Thursday, Colon threw 23 of 32 pitches for strikes in two innings against the San Diego Padres. He struck out Chase Headley looking, walked none and yielded a solo homer by Wil Myers and a double by Luis Urias. His fastball worked mostly in the mid-80s range."I think Bartolo has really a good small window percentage, putting pitches where he wants to put them," Banister said. "He was most efficient at small-window targets."Colon went a combined 7-14 with a 6.48 ERA in 28 starts last season... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Left-hander Jose Torres was on the bubble for a spot in the bullpen before his arrest on domestic violence charges, San Diego Padres manager Andy Green said Tuesday.Torres was placed on the restricted list and won't report for spring training with pitchers and catchers on Wednesday.The Padres said in a statement that they were aware of the allegations against Torres and are cooperating with an investigation being conducted by Commissioner Rob Manfred's office.Torres pleaded not guilty Jan. 9 in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix to charges in a Dec. 29 indictment: felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or dangerous incident and misdemeanor recklessly defacing or damaging property of another person.The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Torres was arrested after a dispute during which he's accused of brandishing a handgun and pointing it at a domestic violence victim, knocking a door off its hinges and punching a hole in another door."He threw the ball well... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (third season).2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: OF Matt Kemp, RHP Tom Koehler.He's Outta Here: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Yu Darvish, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Brandon McCarthy, INF Charlie Culberson, OF Curtis Granderson, 2B Chase Utley, OF Andre Ethier.Going campin': The Dodgers returned to the World Series for the first time since winning it in 1988, only to lose to Houston in seven games. They topped 100 wins while earning a fifth straight NL West title. Clayton Kershaw is one of the elite pitchers in the game, a seven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner. He begins the season with 144 career victories, 21 shy of Sandy... [More]