Sights and sounds in spring training: How Cubs hitters are influencing each other

MESA, Ariz. — As groups of two to three players cycled through Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly’s station Saturday at Sloan Park, they talked off to the side as they waited their turn.

It was an extension of a theme manager Craig Counsell highlighted last spring: The players are constantly talking about their swings.

‘‘It makes my job a lot easier,’’ Kelly said Tuesday. ‘‘I try not to interrupt. I try to go at a pace where they have a little time in between rounds. And I think that’s one of the hidden benefits with doing the small-group stuff [before home games], one-on-one, in kind of a secret setting in the stadium. There’s no one else watching. They’re vulnerable, and they can just talk hitting.’’

Catcher Carson Kelly had an opening in his schedule, so he went to the stadium early and watched from behind the on-field cage, trading notes with shortstop Dansby Swanson between rounds.

‘‘He’s a very smart baseball player,’’ Carson Kelly said of Swanson. ‘‘He looks for the little details and how he can get better and how we can get better as a team. And that’s what you want in a leader.’’

When the rest of Carson Kelly’s hitting group arrived, he became the veteran and passed down nuggets of wisdom to Rule 5 Draft pick Gage Workman.

Sosa joins camp

Sammy Sosa, having reconciled with chairman Tom Ricketts over the winter before being announced as a Cubs Hall of Fame inductee at the Cubs Convention, arrived in camp Tuesday.

He donned a uniform and joined the Cubs in the dugout as they took on the Diamondbacks, chatting with players on the bench. After a conversation with Sosa, utility player Vidal Brujan launched a home run to left field and hopped out of the box as an homage.

Sosa is going to serve as a guest instructor this spring, joining a star-studded group of Cubs alumni who have popped into camp, including National Baseball Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins and Ryne Sandberg and Cubs Hall of Famers Rick Sutcliffe, Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace.

Turner turning heads

It’s too early to take much from corner infielder Justin Turner going 2-for-2 with a walk in his spring debut Monday against the Padres, but he already has made an impression in camp in the last six days.

‘‘The thing you learn quickly about being around Justin is that he has a very advanced feel for the game,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘He is just seeing things before most guys are seeing them.

“Now, that doesn’t have anything to do with going 2-for-2 [on Monday], but one of his great tools, frankly, is how he’s able to see the game. And I think probably, in the end, it’s one of those things that allows him to make adjustments quicker during the season. And it’s fun to watch him hit.’’

Shaw update

Third baseman Matt Shaw (strained left oblique) progressed to throwing to first base during fielding practice Monday, Counsell said.

The Cubs aren’t ruling out Shaw being ready for the Tokyo Series on March 18-19 against the Dodgers, but they will continue taking a cautious approach to his ramp-up.

Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 2

Speedy Pete Crow-Armstrong generated a run in the sixth inning by creating chaos on the basepaths. He stole second, and the throw bounced into center field. He checked behind him as he ran to third and then took off for home, sliding headfirst across the plate. He also made an impressive sliding catch on a short fly ball in the second.

• The Cubs’ offense was quiet through the first four innings, then it got rolling with a bang. Catcher Carson Kelly and utility player Vidal Brujan hit solo home runs in the fifth to tie the score.

• Kyle Tucker walked three times. Through two spring games, he still is looking for his first hit.

• On deck: Cubs at Giants, 2:05 p.m. Wednesday, Scottsdale, Shota Imanaga vs. Jordan Hicks.