Angels Notes: Martin Maldonado frustrated with limits on mound visits

TEMPE, Ariz. — Martin Maldonado said he won’t let the commissioner’s plan for quicker games interrupt what he feels is a critical part of his job.

A day after Major League Baseball’s new restrictions on mound visits were released, the Angels catcher said the limit of six visits won’t stop him if he feels a trip is necessary.

“If I have to go out there, I’m going to go,” Maldonado said. “If the game is on the line, I’m going to go out there. If we’re at six (visits), and it’s going to be the seventh, I’m going to go out there, even if I have to pay a fine. I’m there for the pitchers. If they need me, I’m going to go out there. It doesn’t matter how many times I go. If I have to pay a fine or whatever, I’m willing to pay.”

Later in the day, Manager Mike Scioscia said he didn’t believe Maldonado would actually try to go to the mound beyond the allowed number of visits. Joe Torre, baseball’s executive vice president in charge of baseball operations, said the umpire simply wouldn’t allow the seventh visit.

Maldonado’s stance nonetheless highlights how vital he feels it is for be able to visit his pitcher.

“I think mound visits are important,” Maldonado said. “It’s how you slow the game down for the pitcher. As a catcher you are always thinking ahead. The mound visit lets you focus and get back on track.”

Maldonado also said he was concerned about possible injuries to catchers who aren’t prepared for a certain pitch because they weren’t able to go to the mound to get straight on signs. The rules do have a stipulation allowing an extra visit after an apparent cross-up, though.

The Angels’ pitchers seemed to have mixed feelings, believing that six visits is ample most of the time, but it could be a problem in the times that it’s not.

“It will be maybe a little adjustment,” Matt Shoemaker said. “If the catcher is going to come out now, I’ll have to second-guess that depending on how many visits there have been. So that’s going to be a pretty big adjustment. But, ultimately, I think it’s fine.”

Tyler Skaggs said he doesn’t feel any changes were necessary to speed up the game: “People pay to come watch us play. There’s no time limit on the game.”

KEY STEP FOR RAMIREZ

JC Ramirez, who is recovering from a damaged ulnar collateral ligament, faced hitters for the first time in his rehab on Tuesday. He pitched the equivalent of two innings, and said afterward he felt fine.

“I feel really happy with how I felt today,” Ramirez said. “It looks good. It’s firm. Location-wise was good. I’m excited to be in my first game of the spring.”

Ramirez said he’s scheduled to pitch for the first time in a Cactus League game on March 1, which would put him slightly behind the other starters, but not so much that he couldn’t still be ready by opening day.

ANGEL STADIUM CHANGES

The Angels announced that they have changed the dimensions for home runs at Angel Stadium this season. Now, balls will need to clear a yellow line eight feet high on the right field wall – just below the out-of-town scoreboard – for a home run. Previously, a ball needed to clear the scoreboard, which is 18 feet high, to be a home run.

General Manager Billy Eppler said he learned last July that the club was making changes with the scoreboard, they did some analysis on the wall and determined they could “create an environment that had a little bit more balance.”

OHTANI REPORT

Shohei Ohtani took live batting practice for the first time, although he did not swing. Typically, the first days of live batting practice are more for the benefit of the pitchers than hitters, who simply track pitches to get used to the velocity. Ohtani said he had the option to swing, but chose to only track pitches.

Ohtani will throw his next bullpen session on Thursday, and then be scheduled to pitch in his first game. Presumably, a bullpen session on Thursday eliminates him from starting a game on Friday, so Saturday is the earliest he could pitch in a game.

In other Ohtani news, Commissioner Rob Manfred said his office is still investigating how his medical report was leaked to the media in December. Yahoo Sports obtained a copy of his medical report, which revealed he had a first degree sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament.

“If we had figured out where that leak came from, you would probably know about it,” Manfred said. “We have not been able to do that, but we have not given up. Medical information is always a particularly sensitive topic. It’s something I think we owe to all the players, to do everything possible to figure out how that information became available.”

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