e prior to the 2018 season, Brinson made the Marlins opening-da

WEST PALM BEACH Fernando Rodney Jersey , Fla. (AP) —xspring training home run binge.A key piece in the trade that sent NL MVP Christian Yelich to Milwaukey roster last season in large part because of a strong exhibition season.That turned out to be part of the problem.“It’s hard to have a guy come in from another organization, has a pretty good spring, you know you see things that you don’t like, but when do you broach that subject?” Miami manager Don Mattingly explained. “When a guy fails, that’s when you are able to broach the subject, and to Lewis’ credit he was open to listening as the season went on and then worked on it in the winter.”After hitting .328 during spring training, Brinson managed only a .199 average during his first major league season — and he had to hit .239 over the final month to get the average that high.“He had so many open holes http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey ,” Mattingly said. “We’re just trying to close some holes down so he can handle more pitches.”Watching Brinson hit, Mattingly and the Marlins coaches saw a player whose lower body lacked stability. Brinson had a tendency to collapse his lower backside early, throwing his swing off kilter.During the offseason, the 24-year-old Brinson focused on strengthening his lower body and added 15 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame.“The power’s always been there,” Brinson said. “It’s just getting in a good position to hit and being able to get your ‘A’ swing off all the time. When I connect I know have power, I know I have leverage.”Hard spring contact isn’t new for Brinson. He’s never hit lower than .294 in a spring where he’s received at least 20 at-bats, dating back four years.Brinson’s .421 average entering Wednesday’s game against Houston included two multi-homer games.“I think they show the progress you’ve made in the offseason and the hard work that I’ve put in,” Brinson said. “Obviously these games don’t mean a whole lot but for me they do Joe Mauer Jersey , just showing that I’m ready to compete and ready to solidify my spot.”Mattingly expects Brinson’s progress this summer to resemble his spring statistics more closely.“I think you see a little more solid approach, probably a better understanding of what’s coming,” Mattingly said. “It’s getting ready to happen at the big league level.” CLEVELAND (AP) — Free agent outfielder Cameron Maybin and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league contract.Maybin, who turns 32 next week, hit .163 with one RBI in 48 plate appearances during spring training with the San Francisco Giants, who released him on March 23. The Indians, who remain somewhat unsettled in their outfield, announced the deal Friday and assigned him to Triple-A Columbus.A first-round pick by Detroit in 2005 Glen Perkins Jersey , Maybin split last season between Miami and Seattle. He batted .249 with four home runs, 28 RBIs and 10 stolen bases over 129 games. He played on Houston’s World Series championship team in 2017.Maybin gives Cleveland some depth and another potential option early in the season as manager Terry Francona tries different outfield combinations. In Thursday’s season opener, Jake Bauers started in left, Leonys Martin in center and Tyler Naquin in right.The Indians are rebuilding their outfield after choosing not to re-sign All-Star Michael Brantley, Lonnie Chisennall and others. The club is also waiting for Bradley Zimmer to return from shoulder surgery that limited him to 34 games last season.