Athletics' Matt Chapman: Looks mobile, slim in workout
Chapman arrived at the Athletics spring training facility Thursday and looked to be in excellent shape, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I hit him some ground balls yesterday and I didn't see anything different," Melvin said during a Zoom call Friday. "We just gave him a few. I didn't make him go too far, but he's eager. It's going to be more trying to hold him back than trying to get him ready."
Chapman's strong work ethic makes his early arrival -- position players aren't required to report until Monday -- wholly unsurprising, especially when considering the Gold Glove third baseman was likely anxious to check on his mobility following last year's hip surgery. Not only did the 27-year-old seem to have as good a range as he did pre-surgery according to Melvin, but he also appeared trimmer following an arduous post-op rehab. The manager noted his biggest concern regarding Chapman will be tempering the latter's drive to push himself, with part of his load management plan involving some at-bats at designated hitter in early Cactus League action.
