March 22--MESA, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant looks as relaxed as any rookie trying to make the Chicago Cubs' opening day roster with a anvil weight of expectations.
Much of Bryant's relaxation stems from a meeting he had earlier this week with manager Joe Maddon in which he was told to relax in the wake of expectations and pointed comments by agent Scott Boras toward Cubs ownership.
"I think he's established a good reputation of getting those good relationships with those players and it's good," Bryant said after hitting two home runs and fielding five grounders flawlessly in his first game at third base since March 12. "I haven't known him for a while, but it's good to get that first one out of the way. I'm not scared to talk to him anymore about anything. It definitely did go good.
Bryant also received some assurances about his right shoulder from first baseman Anthony Rizzo on four throws to first base. Bryant hadn't played third base since March 12 because of right shoulder fatigue. Bryant paused briefly after making each throw but was accurate each time.
"Rizzo said all my throws were right on the chest and had some good stuff on it," Bryant said. "My arm feels good right now.
"I try to go out there and play hard. I feel like when I'm not going full speed, that's when I make my mistakes. I do try to throw it as hard as I can every time, but that's just how I play and it works for me today."
Bryant also credited fielding work with coach Gary Jones while his shoulder was healing. Bryant didn't seem to lose any timing with his fielding grounders at an array of speeds.
"It helped a lot," Bryant said. "Half the battle is fielding the ball first. So just getting the ball in my glove in the right position helps me with my throws over to first. I felt I got some very good work for that week that I wasn't playing. I was very happy I had some balls in the game today.''
