BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Corey Dickerson came to the Pittsburgh Pirates with the reputation of being a good hitter and poor defender.

The starting designated hitter for the AL in the 2017 All-Star Game while with Tampa Bay, Dickerson was used in the outfield in only 93 games last year.

Traded to the Pirates, he committed one error in 266 total chances last year and won a Gold Glove award for his play in left field.

“People don’t know the hundreds of hours I put in during the offseason, working on my defense,” Dickerson said at Pirates’ training camp. “I work on weaknesses and my strengths. It’s important mentally to know I can go out there and perform. I knew I could do it and take it to the next level. As the year went on, my confidence just grew and grew. It’s about growing and continuing to get better. If you’re not, you may as well hang them up. I’m always trying to get better.”

Dickerson made a great first impression in Pittsburgh last season.

“He showed us he’s a motivated man,” manager Clint Hurdle said.

Dickerson not only wanted to play better defense but also improve his batting average. He hit a career-best .300 though his home runs dropped to 13 from a career-high 27 in 2017.

He started spring training 7 for 11 (.636) with a double and a triple.

“I pride myself on taking care of business and playing the game the right way,” Dickerson said. “No matter what happens or who you play for, the performance just kind of takes care of itself. I just concern myself with my work ethic and my camaraderie with my teammates. It’s important to get along with those guys. As far as success, I never really worry about it. Results take care of itself.”

Dickerson turns 30 in May and is eligible for free agency after the season. He has an $8.5 million salary this year and could be too pricey for the Pirates to retain.

“It’s great to be part of this family,” Dickerson said. “It’s a great environment. I love it here. I’d like to stay.”

NOTES: RHPs Jesus Liranzo and Aaron Slegers were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis along with SS Cole Tucker and OF Jason Martin while RHP Alex McRae was reassigned to minor league camp. … RHP Jameson Taillon made his first start of the exhibition season Tuesday after pitching in simulated games so far this spring. He gave up three runs in four innings to the Minnesota Twins. Taillon is scheduled to start the opener March 28 at Cincinnati.

AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES:

TWINS 10, PIRATES 4

Tyler Austin homered and singled and Jorge Polanco had an RBI double for Minnesota.

Jameson Taillon, set to pitch on opening day for Pittsburgh, made his first spring training start and allowed three runs and five hits in four innings.

BRAVES 5, CARDINALS 0

Rookie Bryse Wilson, bidding for a spot in the Braves’ rotation, gave up one hit and struck out five in four innings. Mikolas was knocked around for five runs and eight hits in five innings.

MARLINS 8, METS 1

Miami starter Trevor Richards pitched five shutout innings and struck out six.

NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom allowed two runs — on a homer by Brian Anderson — in five innings. He struck out six in his fourth spring start.

Tim Tebow was reassigned to minor league camp by the Mets after hitting .267 with one RBI in eight spring training games. The 31-year-old outfielder and former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback is expected to start the season at Triple-A Syracuse.

TIGERS 4, RED SOX 3

Jody Mercer hit a two-run homer off Boston’s David Price. Detroit starter Daniel Norris threw three scoreless innings. Closer Shane Greene pitched a perfect fourth inning.

Blake Swihart had an RBI double in Boston’s three-run ninth.

RAYS 2, BLUE JAYS 1

Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez gave up one hit in four shutout innings. Teoscar Hernandez singled, scored and is batting .520 for the Blue Jays.

Joey Wendle doubled in a run and scored for Tampa Bay. Kevin Kiermaier singled in the other Rays run.

ASTROS SUSPENSION

Injured Houston pitcher Francis Martes has been suspended for 80 games following a positive test for the banned performance-enhancing drug Clomiphene. The 23-year-old righty made his major league debut in 2017 and went 5-2 with a 5.80 ERA in four starts and 28 relief appearances for the Astros, striking out 69 and walking 31 in 54 1/3 innings. He had Tommy John surgery last August and was expected to miss most or all of this season.

After big rookie season, Acuna eager for 1st opening day

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — When Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to the Atlanta clubhouse, Braves star Freddie Freeman playfully told the NL Rookie of the Year there still was work to do.

“You should have kept going,” Freeman kidded, “and gone for the cycle.”

Acuna went 3 for 3 with a long home run and double off St. Louis opening day starter Miles Mikolas in Atlanta’s 5-0 exhibition win Tuesday. Good enough that former Braves great Dale Murphy sheepishly asked Acuna for his autograph, demonstrating the stature the 21-year-old outfielder has achieved after less than a full season in the big leagues.

“I’ve felt good from the day we started camp, but as the games progressed I’ve felt even better,” Acuna said through a translator. “I think with these last at-bats, just a little extra patience has gone into it. I’ve had good at-bats even if the results weren’t what we would have wanted, but things are progressing quickly and we kind of see the results now.”

Acuna hit .293 with 26 home runs in 111 games last year, helping the Braves win the NL East after four straight losing seasons. His three homers are among nine hits in 25 at-bats this spring.

The Braves open the season March 28 at Philadelphia. Last year, Acuna was not brought up to the majors until April 25.

“I’ve been anxious for the season to start since we got here to camp. I’ve felt ready, I’ve been wanting this to happen,” he said. “When the season starts is out of my control. All I can control is how I go about my business.”