Spring Training Miscellany: Ross Addresses the Troops, Big Boy BP, Kipnis Fitting in, More

The Astros scandal – and the league’s dubious handling thereof – continues to eat up oxygen all around baseball. And, man, when Mike Trout (like Kris Bryant) is putting you on blast, there’s just no getting back the high ground:

I asked Mike Trout what punishment he’d want for Astros players:

“Something,” he said. “I don’t know. I couldn’t tell you off the top of my head. To do that, obviously the GM got fired and Hinch got fired, but the players getting nothing, that’s definitely not right, for sure.”

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 17, 2020

Mike Trout, on his view of the Astrros' ’17 World Series title: “You don’t know what helped them or what not. But if you know what’s coming, it’s going to definitely help you. It’s tough. Taking a trophy away, taking the rings away, I think they should definitely do something."

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) February 17, 2020

Mike Trout found Jose Altuve's walk-off shirt incident a little suspicious. pic.twitter.com/YJBcjbaYGy

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 17, 2020

This isn’t going away any time soon, and we’re still a month and a half away from a regular season that is sure to feature drama almost everywhere the Astros go.

Meanwhile, from around Cubs camp today, which was the first full squad workout …

David Ross with his first full day, big welcome, and all that stuff:

Ross on first day of full-squad work and meetings with owner/brass. pic.twitter.com/EvcVjhZDyS

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 17, 2020

Just make sure you’re wearing protective gear:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8r4YLxgGMh/

Big bats take BP:

Javy, Rizzo and Bryant taking BP… pic.twitter.com/FBeMfi36hR

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 17, 2020

Slo-mo Javy:

Javy dingers are back!

This one cleared the batter’s eye in CF @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/viMzyi56Z4

— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 17, 2020

Jason Kipnis is already buddying up with the three set starters in the infield, so clearly he’s the guy at second base:

Cubs infielders meet ahead of drills. On far left, Tribe fans, your first look at Jason Kipnis in a Chicago uniform. pic.twitter.com/TKtEzyi8s8

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 17, 2020

I kid, but the Cubs almost assuredly *want* Kipnis to win a job on the big league roster, and at least cover some part-time duty at second base. In any case, the new guy is very happy to be a Cub:

“Today’s the first day and I keep looking down at my jersey just smiling.” -Jason Kipnis #Cubs pic.twitter.com/tGB2HAMC1r

— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) February 17, 2020

.@TheJK_Kid looks right at home in Cubbie blue. pic.twitter.com/zV1v0NIn37

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 17, 2020

Ah, Bryzzo fun:

Kris Bryant channels Rizzo for Chatwood’s final pitch in live BP. Crowd erupts in laughter. pic.twitter.com/2kEuRucORB

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 17, 2020

Adbert Alzolay, Cy Young confirmed. Javy Báez, bench job confirmed:

Adbert Alzolay strikes out Báez during a live batting practice session on Monday afternoon. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/gRIePB3dke

— Scott Changnon (@ScottyChags) February 17, 2020

Miguel Amaya, beloved by ZiPS, getting in his work:

BP with Miguel Amaya @mamaya_9 #Cubs #ST20 #SpringTraining2020 pic.twitter.com/hf8SWmrm1g

— John Antonoff (@baseballinfocus) February 17, 2020

Mike Napoli looks like he’s about to tell some mythical beast that he shall not pass:

View this post on Instagram

More Napoli beard content.

A post shared by Jordan Bastian (@bastianmlb) on Feb 16, 2020 at 4:33pm PST

Cubs promo work:

https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1229540958007508992

Ryno in camp:

Ryne Sandberg taking a quick break from watching BP: pic.twitter.com/fCltC2sAKC

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 17, 2020