Will he be ready for Opening Day?
“As of right now, there’s no reason I shouldn’t be,” Hoskins said. “As long as I can get at-bats, which shouldn’t be a problem, I don’t think opening day is out of the question. Everything is normal strength-wise. I feel normal. Now it’s just about getting reps.”
Manager Joe Girardi agreed.
“Rhys looks great,” Girardi said. “I’m thrilled. When you go through a long and grueling rehab, sometimes you feel like the rest of the body gets neglected and his did not. He’s been able to do everything he needs to do.”
Hoskins missed the final 17 games of last season after injuring his elbow on a tag play at first base.
"I feel good," Hoskins said.
Kingery slimmed down
According to Girardi, Scott Kingery reported to camp about 15 pounds lighter than last year.
“He’s definitely leaner,” Girardi said. “We think it will help him and he does, too.”
Kingery struggled last season, dealing with the impacts of back trouble and COVID. He enters camp in a utility role, though he could get a look for the starting center field job.
Girardi said he wants to see a more line-drive approach from Kingery moving forward, something a leaner build could potentially help with.
“That’s something he worked very hard on when he came back from his injury last year and the quality of his at-bats were good,” Girardi said. “I know that he didn’t have as many hits but he did have a number of lineouts and that is a focus of ours – gap to gap, line drives all over the place. He’s strong enough and has enough power that he’s going to run into some home runs, but we need him on base and causing havoc and being the player he’s capable of being.”
Missing out
Didi Gregorius is dealing with a visa issue and has not yet arrived in camp. Seven other position players have yet to report, mostly in similar positions as Gregorius with travel issues.
Bryce Harper has arrived, but is still going through the intake process and should be ready to participate later this week.
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