Athletics' Sonny Gray: Impressive first time out against hitters

Gray, who threw batting practice for the first time Monday, was impressive overall, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "I didn't hold anything back and came away from it feeling good," he said. "I threw all my pitches; curveball, slider, changeup and my curveball was pretty good. I've been working on that, and to throw it for strikes was something I was happy with."

Analysis:

It's a modest but positive start to the spring for Gray, who is attempting to bounce back from the worst season of his four-year major league career in 2016. After back-to-back 14-win campaigns, Gray fell to 5-11 last season, posting career worsts in ERA (5.69) and WHIP (1.50) in the process. Bruce Maxwell, who caught Gray on Monday, was particularly impressed with the right-hander's changeup. Gray is also a designated pitcher on Team USA's roster in the WBC, although it remains to be seen if he'll see any game action in the tournament.