MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs spring invite Shane Victorino will once again switch-hit as he attempts to make the team as a fifth outfielder.
Victorino, 35, gave up switch-hitting two years ago while dealing with back issues. He’s only batted from the right side the last two seasons, but he's healthy and adamant about switch-hitting again.
“In today’s game, the numbers game everybody plays with matchups, it’s not a benefit to get rid of switch hitting,” Victorino explained from Cubs camp on Sunday.
Victorino has a career .730 OPS as a lefty versus right-handed pitching and a .859 OPS as a righty against left-handers. He thinks that kind of versatility -- combined with good health -- gives him a chance to make the Cubs.
“Two years removed from back surgery I’m very excited to be back switch-hitting, trying to be the dynamic player I once was,” he said.
Manager Joe Maddon is on board, as the two have discussed their dismay of players who have given up switch-hitting just because they were struggling from one side of the plate. Victorino is a big believer in the advantages of hitting from both sides and he believes it even helps him as an athlete.
“My body starts to sync up correctly,” Victorino said. “I’m doing things from both sides rotationally. I feel great.”
Sunday Funday: As is Maddon’s tendency, he lightened up the workload on Sunday as the Cubs held coach-pitch batting practice and infield drills at Sloan Park in advance of Cactus League play, which begins later in the week. Maddon wanted his team to get used to the infield and outfield there.
“Check the field, then you can report back to the groundskeeper,” Maddon said.
Before drills, the team held a couple of competitions, including a relay-throwing contest using seven sets of four players -- and one coaches team -- with the winning group taking home $500.
Each team lined up their four players about 90 feet from each other. The goal was to be the fastest team to throw a baseball from one player to the next and back again. The winning group consisted of catcher David Ross, infielders Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell, and outfielder Jorge Soler.
“They did it well,” Maddon said afterwards. “Also, it illustrated if there is the slightest bobble how much behind you were the next line that was doing it right.”
The dance contest held a few minutes earlier featured reliever Justin Grimm showing off his moves.
“His dance maneuvers were fabulous,” Maddon said. “We didn’t have the right music. He thinks he can do better.”
The Cubs manager puts a lot of thought into how to keep things loose and relaxed while still getting the necessary work in to prepare for the season. The lighter times aren’t things he just thinks of on the spur of the moment.
“A large part of our discussion is: How do we make it fun and enjoyable but at the same time pertinent?” Maddon explained. “The joy of participation matters.”
Maddon isn’t sure how much camaraderie matters, but he knows that it does.
“I don’t know how many wins it's worth, but it’s worth some wins,” he said.
Villanueva injured: The Cubs lost some infield depth when minor-league third baseman Christian Villanueva broke his right fibula during infield drills on Sunday. Villanueva was reacting to a high hopper and came down awkwardly. Surgery is likely, according to Maddon.