Countdown to Opening Day: The best of spring training

Feb 26, 2014

Countdown to Opening Day: The best of spring training

Kalani Gordon 0 Comment Sports baseball, Major League Baseball, MLB, Opening Day, sports

While the official start of spring in the United States comes in late March every year, marked by some by the start of baseball season. But most MLB teams have been in camp for a couple weeks now, and spring training games officially started this week. Here’s a look at the preseason action so far.

: Kansas City Royals’ Alcides Escobar follows through in batting practice during spring training in Surprise, Ariz., on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT)

: Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley exits the dugout before the Toronto Blue Jays play the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Bright House Field. (David Manning-USA TODAY Sports)

: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher David Goforth (77) throws during a Spring Training inter-squad practice game at Maryvale Baseball Park. (Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports)

: Kansas City Royals’ Norichika Aoki grounds out during an intra-squad game on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, in Surprise, Az. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT)

: Kansas City Royals pitcher Bruce Chen jokes with teammates during a spring training workout on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014, in Surprise, Az. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT)

: Milwaukee Brewers prepare to pick up dozens of base balls used in Spring Training practice at Maryvale Baseball Park. (Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports)

: Kansas City Royals Carlos Pguero is congratulated after hitting a home run during an intrasquad spring training game in Surprise, Ariz., on Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT)

: Chicago Cubs infielder Luis Valbuena takes the batting cage during spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday, Feb. 24 2014. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

: Baltimore Orioles coach Bobby Dickerson tumbles above coach Wayne Kirby (below) who slides to demonstrate potential base running scenarios. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)

: Baltimore Orioles position players encircle manager Buck Showalter who discusses defensive fielding drills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)

: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez is framed by the dugout awning as he pitches. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun Staff)

: Chicago Cubs infielder Ryan Roberts poses for a baseball card photographer at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday, Feb. 24 2014. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

: Chicago Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler, left, takes his turn at dawn posing for a baseball card photographer at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday, Feb. 24 2014. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

: Washington Nationals outfielder Nate McLouth (15) makes a catch at the fence in spring training action at space Coast Stadium. (Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports)

: Washington Nationals fans watch the spring training action through the fence at space Coast Stadium. (Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports)

: Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits as Scott Hairston (7) gets ready during spring training action at space Coast Stadium. (Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports)

: Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello (21) is silhouetted as he throws during the Detroit Tiger’s first workout of Spring Training at Joker Marchant Stadium. (David Manning-USA TODAY Sports)

: Kansas City Royals players run under high clouds during a spring training workout on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, in Surprise, Az. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT)

: A fly ball is just beyond the reach of Seattle Mariners’ Julio Morran during spring training in Peoria, Ariz, on Feb. 22, 2014. (Dean Rutz/Seattle Times/MCT)

: Rain clouds roll in as Atlanta Braves infielder Ramiro Pena loosens up during spring training on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)

: Atlanta Braves pitcher Shae Simmons makes the rounds from drill to drill on a youth bicycle during spring training on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)

: St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter takes swings in the batting cage at the Cardinals spring training complex at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/MCT)

: Atlanta Braves hitting coach Gary Ingram heads to the batting cages early in the morning during training camp in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Thusday, Feb. 20, 2014. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)

: Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) jokes around with a videographer before batting practice during spring training at JetBlue Park. (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

: Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) takes a break before batting practice during spring training at JetBlue Park. (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

: Atlanta Braves hitting coach Gary Ingram heads to the batting cages early in the morning during training camp in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Thusday, Feb. 20, 2014. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)

: Players do a backpedaling drill open spring training at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. (Patrick Tehan/Bay Area News Group/MCT)

: The sun rises over the stadium prior to the first day that New York Yankees positional players report for spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)

: Toronto Blue Jays catcher Josh Thole (22) and teammates stretch before they workout for spring training at Bobby Mattick Training Center . (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

: Players for the Minnesota Twins attend spring training in the Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. (Jerry Holt/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)

: The Baltimore Orioles warm up for the first day of Spring Training practice for pitchers and catchers at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. (2.14.2014)(Elaine Litherland/Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

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