One player stands focused on the mound. He prepares to throw a pitch he’s perfected all spring training: the slider.
He is left-hander Matt Strahm, who remains in the Royals spring-training camp vying for a spot on the team’s Opening Day roster. At this time last year, he’d already been sent to minor-league camp.
“This year, I’ve been told I’m here to compete for a bullpen job and that’s what I am doing — just (taking) it day-by-day,” he said.
Strahm and the other players know that getting reassigned doesn’t mean their dream of playing in the big leagues has ended.