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<\/p>\nThe Los Angeles Dodgers begin Cactus League play on Saturday, but early spring training action on Friday showed a high-profile free agent already making an impact at his new home. There were also updates about two pitchers on either side of Tommy John surgery.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s dive right in.<\/p>\n
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Alonso Homers in 1st Orioles Game<\/p>\n
Pete Alonso seems to be settling in nicely in Baltimore after leaving the New York Mets in free agency.<\/p>\n
Alonso, who signed a five year, $155 million contract\u00a0with the Orioles late last year, blasted a two-run home run in the team\u2019s spring training matchup with the Yankees.<\/p>\n
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DENVER, CO \u2013 JULY 12: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets bats in the final round during the 2021 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Coors Field on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Mary DeCicco\/MLB Photos via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Alonso asked for the third at-bat that resulted in the bomb, as reported by the Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wanted it, and he made the most of it,\u201d Albernaz said. \u201cIt speaks a lot. Pete just wants to play.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerrit Cole Puts Up Strong Numbers in Recovery from Tommy John Surgery<\/p>\n As reported by Chris Kirschner of The Athletic<\/a>, Gerrit Cole wowed his teammates in his first live batting practice since Tommy John surgery.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Cole hit 97 mph with some pitches and managed to strike out one of the three batters he faced.<\/p>\n Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, who grounded out off a Cole pitch during the brief session, said his teammate again looked like the great pitcher who won the 2003 American League Cy Young Award.<\/p>\n \u201cGerrit looked great,\u201d Judge said. \u201cExcited to see him back on the mound. That was the most important thing. The stuff is still electric.<\/p>\n Twins\u2019 Lopez Confirmed for TJ Surgery<\/p>\n On the other end of the Tommy John spectrum, Pablo Lopez will indeed have to undergo the procedure after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The tear was reported earlier this week<\/a>, though the details of the procedure have now been confirmed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team said Friday that L\u00f3pez\u2019s surgery will be performed next week in Texas by Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister,\u201d the Associated Press reports<\/a>. \u201cL\u00f3pez turns 30 early next month.\u201d<\/p>\n