During his five-game suspension for throwing punches at a Padres pitcher April 11, Nolan Arenado headed to Phoenix, where the third baseman participated in extended spring training on the back fields of the Salt River complex. There, playing for three days in front of empty bleachers and alongside mostly teenage prospects, the all-star tried to stay sharp for his return to the lineup Friday night against the Cubs.
“I feel fresh — I don’t like missing games but obviously I had to do it, and I’m trying to look at the positives because I feel really good right now,” Arenado said before the game.