Rougned Odor missed 11 days this spring because of a strained right oblique muscle. A prodigious power display on Good Friday is the latest evidence the muscle is no longer a problem. Odor hit three home runs, including two off of Padres starter Tyson Ross, in the Rangers 12-11 win Friday night at Surprise Stadium.
Texas walks off, Odor hits 3 of club’s 6 homers
Bobby Wilson hit a two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning off Brandon Morrow to lift the Rangers to a 12-11 victory over the Padres on Friday night. It was the Rangers’ sixth home run of the game.
Packed 15-game MLB.TV slate for today’s games
As the Astros and Padres take the field in Mexico City, the spring schedule continues in Arizona and Florida. And today, nearly all of the Grapefruit and Cactus League action is available for streaming live on MLB.TV.
Estrada expects to manage back pain
Marco Estrada insists that everything is fine and he’ll be ready for the start of the season, but the Blue Jays have to be at least mildly concerned his back soreness has not completely disappeared.
Herrera’s return eases Phils’ OF concerns
Odubel Herrera played Friday night in his first Grapefruit League game since March 12 because of a bruised left middle finger. He went 0-for-2 but made a nice catch at the center-field wall in the first inning.
Tigers turn 6-4-3 triple play
Like your typical double play, but with more outs.
Price feels ‘really good’ despite five walks
Despite five walks in five-plus innings against the Pirates, Red Sox lefty David Price said he felt “really good” in a 6-3 win Friday night.
Belt continues spring streak, homers in SF win
Brandon Belt maintained his torrid hitting Friday, clobbering a three-run homer in a four-run third inning that helped the San Francisco Giants top the Kansas City Royals, 8-5.
Mercer-vs.-lefty could be preview of season
Nobody has told Jordy Mercer he’ll be the Pirates’ leadoff man against left-handed pitchers this season, he said, but his spot on Friday night’s lineup card, in a 6-3 loss to the Red Sox, may have said enough.
Estrada spotless aside from Franco’s 8th HR
Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada is rounding into form, working 3 2/3 innings Friday night in a 4-4 tie with the Phillies in a Grapefruit League game at Bright House Field. Estrada allowed one run on Maikel Franco’s MLB-best eighth home run of the spring.
Bochy confirms order of first four starters
What had been widely known has become official. Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced after Friday’s 8-5 split-squad victory over Kansas City that the ballclub’s first four starters will be, in order, Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and Jake Peavy.
Price pitches 5-plus as Red Sox top Pirates
David Price pitched five-plus innings Friday night as the Red Sox topped the Pirates 6-3 in Grapefruit League action.
Scully downplays fuss over farewell season
Fans dreading the day when they can no longer hear Vin Scully should know the feeling is mutual. “I’ll miss the fans and the sounds of the fans,” Scully said Friday, before broadcasting the first Spring Training game of his 67th and final season at the Dodgers microphone.
Cruz, Martin starting to find power strokes
Nelson Cruz got off to a slow start this spring, but the Mariners slugger is heating up nicely with three homers in his last five games, including a game-tying two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth that helped send Seattle to a 5-4, 10-inning victory over the White Sox on Friday.
De La Rosa gets Rockies’ Opening Day start
Rockies manager Walt Weiss named left-hander Jorge De La Rosa the team’s 2016 Opening Day starter on Friday.
Grandal, Kendrick need more recovery time
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offered a mixed injury update Friday, with ailments of catcher Yasmani Grandal and second baseman Howie Kendrick putting Opening Day in jeopardy, but also more optimism about Corey Seager’s progress.
Darvish thrilled with progress, sticking to plan
Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and was asked afterward if he could get a Major League hitter out right now. The Rangers are not going to let him do that just yet. He still has miles to cover before he completes his recovery from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery. He has not yet faced real hitters.