Castellanos looks good for Tigers; Indians announce price reduction on concessions
2/28/2013PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Jim Leyland doesn't know if Nick Castellanos will make his Opening Day roster. Castellanos may not have enough experience in left field, but the Detroit Tigers manager has no doubts about one thing.
"He's got a great swing, I'll tell you that much," Leyland said.
That swing was on display again today as Castellanos had three hits in an 11-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Castellanos, considered Detroit's top prospect by many observers, is 6 for 9 this spring, giving Leyland reason to consider the youngster — despite the young slugger spending most of his time at Double-A last year.
"He's obviously making a heck of an impression so far," Leyland said of the former first-round draft pick. "You'd be foolish to say he wasn't."
Castellanos believes offseason work has his timing locked in, but it's another kind of timing that has been just as important.
"I'm really fortunate I'm getting as much playing time but I do understand a lot of big leaguers are injured," said Castellanos, referring to Brennan Boesch, Andy Dirks, and Quintin Berry. "I'm just trying to take advantage of the time I have right now."
His chances to make the team are not a calculation Castellanos makes for himself. He knows as the injured players work their way back into the lineup, his opportunities will dwindle.
"Good shot or no shot, I went into a spring training even last year with a mindset that I'm going to make the team," he said. "Even though I went in with no chance, that's not something as a competitor you want to tell yourself."
The Tigers had plenty of other people spraying the ball around. They pounded out 15 hits, including a two-run homer from Austin Jackson, and a single and RBI double from Miguel Cabrera.
RANGERS 10, INDIANS 0
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Lance Berkman knows he has rust. He's not sure how much.
Berkman singled, walked and scored two runs in his Rangers' spring training debut, to give Texas its first exhibition victory this year after an 0-5 start.
Limited to 32 games last year with St. Louis and coming off a pair of knee operations, Berkman was held out of the first six exhibition games because of a strained right calf.
Winner Derek Holland, in his last start before joining the U.S. for the World Baseball Classic, allowed three hits, struck out two and walked none in four innings.
"My main focus is always being with Texas," Holland said. "This is a temporary leave. I get to represent the country, something you dream about. At the same time, you've got to remember I'm playing for Texas at all times."
Jeff Baker had three of the Rangers' 18 hits, and Jurickson Profar hit a two-run triple in the second inning.
In his second outing for the Indians, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up a two-run homer to Mitch Moreland. Dice-K, Cleveland's third pitcher, allowed four hits in two innings.
"Condition-wise I didn't feel as good as I did during my first outing," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter.
Rookie Trevor Bauer pitched two perfect innings, but the Rangers hit four other pitchers hard.
FOOD PRICES CUT: A hot dog and a beer will cost less at Progressive Field this year.
The Indians announced the rollback of concession prices today.
Team president Mark Shapiro said it came in response to fans who have called for more affordable food and drink at the ballpark.
The team said hot dogs will start at $3 — a 33 percent reduction — and 12-ounce domestic beers will be $4, a drop of 24 percent, during the 2013 season.
Prices of nachos, pretzels, popcorn, pizza, and bratwursts will drop by 25 percent.
Plus, the number of $1 hot dog nights at the stadium will increase to 15 — six more than last season.