Kendrys Morales hits 1st spring homer, helps spark Royals

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GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Kendrys Morales hit his first home run this spring, helping the Kansas City Royals to a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

Morales hit a 2-run shot off Dodgers left-hander J.P. Howell over left field in a four-run fifth inning.

Morales also singled in the first off Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood, who gave up one run on four hits in three innings in his second spring start.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was pleased with Wood’s work.

“It was a productive outing,” Roberts said. “The ball was coming out of his hand really well. He mixed in some change-ups. He commanded the fastball.”

STARTING TIME

Royals: Right-hander Kris Medlen worked four innings in his third spring start, giving up one run on three hits and striking out four.

“I felt it was similar to my last start,” Medlen said. “I had to get used to the mound. I was able to make the adjustment. The hits I gave up for runs were strikes, on 0-2 and 1-2. I just tried to pound the zone.”

Dodgers: Woods was scratched from a scheduled start last weekend because of tightness in his forearm.

“It felt good, it was good,” Woods said Thursday. “I had one goal and that was to be efficient.”

Roberts said the Dodgers would probably break camp with Woods as the No. 4 starter behind Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda.

The fifth spot is still up for grabs, with Brandon Beachy, Mike Bolsinger and Zach Lee the contenders.

ROSTER MOVES

Julio Urias, a 19-year-old pitching prospect, was one of seven players cut Thursday by the Dodgers. He was re-assigned to minor league camp.

Urias had been in the hunt for the fifth spot in the rotation. But his inexperience led to mistakes in his two spring appearances. He gave up four runs on five hits over three innings. Still, his potential was evident when he struck out the first three batters he faced.

Other Dodger cuts were RHP Jose De Leon, RHP Yaisel Sierra, RHP Ross Stripling, LHP Ian Thomas, INF Micah Johnson and C Jack Murphy.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Jarrod Dyson (strained abdominal muscle) has begun throwing. There is no timetable on when he can begin hitting. He is expected to miss the first two weeks of regular season. . RHP Brian Duensing suffered a bruised ankle Wednesday in a 10-0 victory over the Cubs.

Dodgers: Howie Kendrick is expected to be back at second base Friday against the Diamondbacks. Kendrick, who was a designated hitter in a Tuesday game, is coming back from groin injury.

UP NEXT

Royals: Kansas City plays split-squad games Friday, one in San Antonio against the Rangers. RHP Dillon Gee is set to start against Rangers LHP Derek Holland. The other game is at the Royals’ spring home in Surprise, with Miguel Altamonte facing the Angels’ Matt Shoemaker in a match of right-handers.

Dodgers: Los Angeles travels to Scottsdale, with Beachy set to make his second start and his third appearance in spring against the Diamondbacks. Arizona plans to counter with RHP Zack Godley.


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