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Colorado Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler spent his offseason undergoing a physical transformation.
He worked out with teammates Jason Giambi and Troy Tulowitzki along with a trainer for two months in Las Vegas. Fowler worked on his explosiveness, lifted weights more and ate healthier.
He enters spring training 13 pounds heavier than a year ago, but he also lost 4 percent of his body fat. He's listed at 6 feet, 4 inches and 190 pounds.
"It was good to be with some teammates to challenge each other," Fowler said. "It'll help my explosiveness, my jumps, my durability, my endurance."
Fowler's added strength has made an impression on his manager.
"[He] looks better physically than he's ever looked since he signed his name on a sheet of paper to become a professional player," manager Jim Tracy said. "That's leadership by example."
Fowler, the Rockies' leadoff hitter, is looking to carry a strong second half from 2011 into this season. After the All-Star break, he hit .288 with a .381 on-base percentage and stole 10 bases. Before the All-Star break, he batted .238 with a .340 on-base percentage and stole two bases.
Around the majors
Phillies • Injured star Ryan Howard is leaving Philadelphia's spring training camp for a few days to visit the doctor who did the surgery on his torn left Achilles tendon. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel called it "a little setback." Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said it was a "routine checkup."
Also, Cliff Lee will work in a side bullpen session Sunday when Philadelphia's pitchers throw to hitters for the first time in camp. Lee is nursing a minor abdominal injury. He's expected to step back into line with the rest of the star-studded pitching staff in the coming week.
Red Sox • Boston manager Bobby Valentine says the team will ban alcohol in the clubhouse for the upcoming season. Valentine made the announcement after the team's first full-squad workout of spring training Saturday. The move comes in the wake of last season's September collapse that included reports of Boston starting pitchers drinking beer in the clubhouse on their off-days.
Twins • Joel Zumaya wanted to show Minnesota he was OK this spring. His latest comeback attempt took a worrisome turn Saturday not long after it started. A few minutes after he started throwing to hitters for the first time this spring, Zumaya walked off the mound in a mixture of pain and frustration. Twins general manager Terry Ryan said the reliever injured the inside of his elbow. He was scheduled to get an MRI exam on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury.
Athletics • Infielder Scott Sizemore sprained his left knee during fielding drills Saturday, the first day of full squad workouts. Sizemore was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury.