Spring Training Headquarters.

[Greenbacks]

In his first outing since entering alcohol rehab last October, CC Sabathia threw two scoreless innings against the Marlins. He did not allow a hit and walked one. In the first, a scout Sabathia's velocity at 85-87 in which he retired three Marlins on a total of six pitches, all strikes. In the second, his velo ranged from 85-89. In recent years, Sabathia has transitioned from a power pitcher to a finesse one with limited success.

 

[Greenbacks]

Myers' 2016 season could go one of two ways. He could 1) regain the power and patience that earned him AL rookie honors in 2013, or 2) stay on the disabled list too long to get there.

 

[Greenbacks]

Kelly throws a mid-90s sinking fastball but lacks the command and secondary pitches to succeed as a starter. David Schoenfield projects he will wind up as a reliever given Boston's alternatives for the rotation.

 

[Greenbacks]

OF Aaron Altherr will have surgery tomorrow (Dr. Randall Culp) to repair a torn extensor carpi ulnaris retinaculum in his left wrist.

 

[Greenbacks]

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy hit a triple today. Including spring training and playoffs, it's his first three-bagger in 2,153 at bats. "He's swinging the bat with a lot of freedom and he's moving around good," says manager Buck Showalter of Hardy, who was limited to 114 games last season due to injuries. "You can tell it's the best he's felt in a long time."

 

[Greenbacks]

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2014, was behind the plate for the second consecutive day. He also threw out a baserunner trying to steal second. "You can tell it's about baseball now," said Buck Showalter. "It's not about how he feels. There's no tentativeness at all."

 

[Greenbacks]

I'm hearing that the Mets are still comfortable trading Ruben Tejada if the package is right, even if Asdrubal Cabrera's knee injury places him on the DL to start the season. The Mets feel good with Wilmer Flores at shortstop, and still feel like they have depth there now that Matt Reynolds and Gavin Cechinni are both apparently healthy. Watch the Cardinals as a potential match if they're willing to offer something of value.

 

[Greenbacks]

X-rays of Stephen Piscotty's left elbow were negative for a fracture. He was struck by a pitch from Mets reliever Stolmy Pimentel on Saturday, which resulted in Pimentel's ejection.

 

[Greenbacks]

Scouts continue to be impressed with former Brewers closer Jim Henderson. His fastball ranged from 92-95 mph Saturday for the Mets against the Cardinals. Henderson appears to be competing with Erik Goeddel for one bullpen spot. Henderson may be at a disadvantage if Goeddel is ready since Henderson is on a minor league contract and doesn't have an opt-out until June 15. Goeddel, who had been dealing with a lat strain, is due to pitch in his first Grapefruit League game next Sunday.

 

[Greenbacks]

Cage chat in Jupiter: Céspedes and Bonds, Donnie Baseball and Terry Collins
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[Greenbacks]

Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker confirmed Sunday that Max Scherzer will be the team’s Opening Day starter April 4 in Atlanta. “He was Opening Day before I got here,” the first-year manager said.
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[Greenbacks]

CC Sabathia had a bad outing on Sunday, lasting just 1 2/3 innings and leaving with three runs in the books and the bases loaded against the Phillies. If the Yankees suffer no injuries, Joe Girardi is expected to decide between Sabathia and Ivan Nova for the fifth spot in the rotation.

 

[Greenbacks]

Yankees catcher Brian McCann is fine after taking a foul ball off his knee. McCann left Sunday's game early because he didn't want to further injure himself. He does not expect the injury to linger.

 

[Greenbacks]

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman had a much better second appearance as a Yankee than his first. In a scoreless inning against the Phillies, Chapman struck out three, while batters reached on an error and a walk. He threw 15 strikes among his 23 pitches. In his first outing, Chapman couldn't even get out of his one inning, leaving after two outs and just nine strikes in 26 pitches. Chapman will not be eligible to pitch in a regular season game until May 9th because of violating the domestic violence agreement.

 

[Greenbacks]

Michael Wacha, who gave up six hits in two innings to the Washington Nationals Sunday, said his issue is commanding his off-speed pitches, not any fatigue spillover from a career-high workload in 2015. "Arm and body feel great," Wacha said. He is penciled in as the No. 2 starter after Adam Wainwright.

 

[Greenbacks]

Manager Robin Ventura on this week's vote on banning smokeless tobacco: "It's a bad habit, just have to see it go away. ... I'm not to sure [how it will be policed], but I'm not policing anybody -- I can't write any tickets."

 

[Greenbacks]

Top prospect Aaron Judge was sent to minor league camp, ending his long shot chances of making the team out of spring training. As for making the majors at all this year, Yankees GM Brian Cashman, "We'll see." One thing that Cashman made clear is that if there is an injury to one of the team's starting outfielders that Aaron Hicks would receive the first opportunity to play every day. Judge is expected to begin the year at Triple-A.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jacob deGrom scratched with back stiffness. Seth Lugo instead starts in Lakeland against the Tigers.

 

[Greenbacks]

David Wright confirmed that he expects to just get at-bats on the minor league side on Monday. He's unlikely to play the field. This nonetheless will mark his first game action of spring training. The Mets have been proceeding slowly with Wright because he missed four months last season dealing with spinal stenosis in his lower back. Doctors had him remain idle for a month after the World Series.

 

[Greenbacks]

Double rainbow in Lakeland... ominous clouds ahead of Tigers-Mets today
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