Spring has finally arrived in spring training as Angels face Kansas City
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It’s finally beginning to feel like spring training in Arizona.
The morning chill, which often hung on until midday, is no longer an issue, and players are beginning to sweat for reasons that have nothing to do with the pressure of trying to make the team. And speaking of reasons to sweat, another rite of spring was visited on the Angels camp Thursday when a group of officials from Major League Baseball’s security department made an annual preseason visit.
The hourlong lecture and slide presentation, which takes place behind closed doors, changes each year, but the themes are similar -- be cautious, be careful, make good decisions and don’t put yourself in dangerous situations. Among the topics that are being stressed this year are the dangers of social media and how players’ attempts to reach out to their fans can backfire.
Once that presentation and the subsequent team meeting is over, it’s back to the field for a Cactus League exhibition with the Kansas City Royals. Ervin Santana, a 17-game winner last year, is scheduled to make his spring debut on the mound, while Bobby Abreu will make his first appearance in the outfield.
The lineup: SS -- Erick Aybar
RF -- Bobby Abreu
DH -- Torii Hunter
LF -- Vernon Wells
2B -- Howie Kendrick
CF -- Peter Bourjos
C -- Bobby Wilson
1B -- Mark Trumbo
3B -- Brandon Wood
P -- Ervin Santana
-- Kevin Baxter in Tempe, Ariz.