As his backup for the last five years, new Angels catcher Martin Maldonado saw the praise Lucroy received, and those who observed Maldonado said it fueled him to improve in the area. The Brewers’ manager from 2011 to 2015 was Ron Roenicke, now the Angels’ third base coach. Manager Mike Scioscia also had some familiarity with the player from spring training since the Angels drafted Maldonado in 2004. “I threw across the diamond to Don Mattingly,” responded the Angels’ director of player development, Mike Gallego, a 13-year big league infielder. Big league left-hander Jose Alvarez will pitch for Venezuela alongside camp invitees Deolis Guerra and Yusmeiro Petit, both right-handers.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 24, 2017 02:37 UTC