PEORIA, Ariz. — Jonathan Cannon hadn’t exactly been on point in his first three Cactus League starts, and while spring training is more about “getting your work in” and building up innings before Opening Day, it’s always best to execute pitches whenever possible.
Looking less like an Opening Day starter candidate than was first thought, Cannon got clipped for four runs on eight hits against the Padres Tuesday. Right-hander Davis Martin has distinguished himself this spring and veteran free-agent signee Martin Perez has the most distinguished career of the candidates.
Over eight innings, Cannon has allowed 10 earned runs on 16 hits, including Jackson Merrill’s homer Tuesday. He hasn’t walked anyone but his 11.25 ERA is no thing of desert beauty.
“Once the season starts it’s go time and you have to be dialed in and ready to go,” Cannon said. “Giving up four runs in three innings is not what I want to and I wouldn’t consider that a good start. But there are positives [he liked his sweeper] and negatives, but you always want to pitch well.”
Entering his second season after making 21 starts and going 5-10 with a 4.49 ERA for the 41-121 Sox in 2024, Cannon already talks like a veteran who knows the ropes. He embraced facing the Padres’ top hitters including Luis Arraez, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jake Croneworth, Xander Bogaerts.
“Had those guys not been in the lineup maybe my changeup would have done really well today and you go into the season thinking it’s in a good spot,’’ he said.
Cannon, who threw 32 of 46 pitches for strikes, has two starts left before the regular season.
“We are looking to see for him to give us major innings this year,” pitching coach Ethan Katz said.
Angels next for Clevinger
Mike Clevinger, vying for a spot as the closer, makes his second appearance Wednesday against the Angels. Clevinger worked a perfect inning against the Guardians Sunday, striking out two batters swinging at his sweeper.
“It looked great,’ Venable said. “Really good breaking ball, right? I know he’s got a bunch of pitches, but the breaking ball looked really good and he was in the zone and feeling good [the day after Monday].”
“When he goes out there and he pitches, he pitches like a reliever,” Katz said. “He’s giving you 110% every single time he throws that ball. A new approach, different mindset, but I think it’s something that he can really flourish at
Also on the back end …
Right-handed reliever Jordan Leasure has made four scoreless one-inning appearances, striking out seven, walking no one and allowing one hit. And Penn Murfee has been equally effective over four scoreless innings, allowing one hit, walking none and recording eight strikeouts.
Venable said “we are still just piecing together” the back end of the bullpen.
“The first question is going to be who’s on the team,” he said. “And then, where do we go from there? And then on a given day, what are the matchups we like? Who’s feeling good? Who’s available? We’re still quite a ways away from kind of figuring out the back end pieces.”
Opening Day is March 27 against the Angels at Rate Field.