MLB has a policy stating that teams must play at least four of their regulars during spring training games, and manager Ron Washington is more than willing to abide by it.
“I don’t want MLB writing me any letters, especially with numbers in it,” Washington said. “I don’t want them to mess with me at all. I’m going to follow their rules.”
Washington had four of his regulars in the lineup Sunday with Jurickson Profar, Elvis Andrus, Prince Fielder and Leonys Martin, just as he does for every Cactus League game. But that rule came into the spotlight last Thursday when the Boston Red Sox sent out a lineup with only two players with major league experience against the Miami Marlins in a Grapefruit League game in Florida.
The Marlins had charged fans “super premium” pricing for the game, as the Red Sox are the defending World Series champion.
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That didn’t sit well with Marlins management and it drew even more headlines when Red Sox owner John Henry took a shot at the Marlins on Twitter, writing: “They should apologize for their regular season lineup.”
Washington said he’ll never find himself in that type of controversy, though, as he staggers when his regulars are in the lineup.
“I’ll always have four,” he said.
Briefly
• Third baseman Adrian Beltre hasn’t played since Monday, but is expected to play the Rangers’ next three games.
• Left-hander Joe Saunders will pitch in his first Cactus League game Tuesday against the White Sox. Matt Harrison is scheduled to start a ‘B’ game earlier in the day against the Royals.
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