The annual ritual always produces some interesting poses.

Why so serious http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , Jose?Getty Images That’s a better look!Getty Images Since we’re doing grips...Getty Images ... here’s mine!Getty Images MiMo looks angryJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports I promise this grip will work better this yearJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports I promise not to walk as many guys this yearJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Taylor Davis is going to be a media star somedayJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Do I have a baseball in my glove... or not?Getty Images Almost didn’t recognize the all-grown-up KBGetty Images This was the only photo I found of Kyle Schwarber smilingGetty Images Speaking of guys who rarely smile...Getty Images Look! He smiles! (And the photographer was so surprised, he identified him as Rob Scahill)Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Let’s hope this big bat hits really well in 2019Getty Images And this one, tooGetty Images The photographer made Javy laughGetty Images “You looking at me?”Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Pedro tries, and fails http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , to hide his identityGetty Images Cubs mystery player (can you guess?)Getty Images Someone forgot to tell Tony which cap to wearJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Anthony Rizzo has fun with Cole HamelsJoe Camporeale-USA TODAY SportsMESA, Arizona — One of the rituals for major league baseball players every spring is to pose for team and media photographers. These shots get used in a variety of ways; you’re probably most used to seeing them on player pages on various websites, or in the pitcher previews I do here at BCB.If you think this kind of work is easy, think again. The players had to report to Sloan Park before dawn Wednesday to begin the shoot at 7 a.m. That was before a full day of workouts. The team was supposed to have its annual spring training golf outing Thursday Jason Castro Jersey , but it’s cold (barely 50 degrees, hey, that’s cold for the Phoenix area this time of year!) and rainy in the Valley of the Sun and the outing was cancelled.Enjoy this selection of photos from the shoot, taken by Jamie Squire of Getty Images and Joe Camporeale of USA Today Sports. I’ve got many of the regulars and rotation covered here. Ben Zobrist has been away from camp on an excused absence Phil Hughes Jersey , so he’s not included in the gallery. MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have optioned versatile youngster Ian Happ to the minor leagues.Manager Joe Maddon announced the decision Saturday.The 24-year-old Happ appeared in 142 games with Chicago last season, hitting .233 with 15 homers and a .761 OPS while playing second base, third base and all three outfield spots. He finished eighth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2017 after hitting .253 with 24 homers in 115 games.The 2015 first-round pick is batting .135 this spring with a .389 OPS. The demotion will allow the switch hitter to get regular playing time at Triple-A instead of being limited on Chicago’s deep major league roster.Right-handers Alec Mills and Dillon Maples and catcher Taylor Davis were also optioned to Triple-A Iowa http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , and righty Junichi Tazawa was granted his release. Infielder Cristhian Adames and outfielder Johnny Field were re-assigned to minor league camp.