Astros’ Alex Bregman slowed by back tightness
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left Wednesday's 11-5 victory over the Miami Marlins because of back stiffness.
Bregman walked in the first inning and was replaced after the second. He was playing his third spring training game following arthroscopic elbow surgery on Jan. 11.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman probably will be held out a day and return to the lineup on Friday.
AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES
BLUE JAYS 9, PHILLIES 7
Cavan Biggio, the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, and Anthony Alford both homered for the first time for the Blue Jays. Dalton Pompey hit two doubles and drove in three runs for Toronto. Aaron Sanchez made his second start, allowing a hit and two walks in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
Vince Velasquez made his first start for Philadelphia, allowing one run, one hit and two walks in one inning. Aaron Althier went 0 for 3, striking out twice and lowering his average to .143.
Mike Yastrzemski, a grandson of Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, homered in the ninth inning — a two-run shot for his first hit of spring training. Cedric Mullins hit a two-run homer and top prospect Yusniel Diaz had a three-run double for Baltimore. Richie Martin tripled and scored for the Orioles,
Newcomer Charlie Morton made his second start for Tampa Bay, pitching 2 1/3 shutout innings. Ji-Man Choi hit his first double and singled for the Rays.
BREWERS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 4
Milwaukee closer Jeremy Jeffress was pulled after three pitches because of right shoulder weakness in his spring training debut. Jeffress, who was 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA last season, faced Eduardo Escobar in the fourth inning before leaving the game.
Eric Thames had a single and his first home run — a two-run shot.
Erik Kratz finished a triple shy of the cycle, driving in two. Jhoulys Chacin made his second start, pitching three innings and allowing two hits and one run. Josh Hader struck out the side in the sixth and has fanned all six batters he's faced.
Steven Souza Jr. hit a solo home run and David Peralta had an RBI double for Arizona. Robbie Ray made his third start, allowing three runs and three hits, striking out eight.
Tyler O'Neill, still looking for his first single of spring training, hit his fourth home run and his first double, driving in two runs for St. Louis. Paul Goldschmidt singled and scored, raising his average to .385 in his first spring training with the Cardinals.
Gleyber Torres had a double and a single for New York. Jonathan Loaisiga, bidding for the rotation job that opened when Luis Severino got hurt, started for the Yankees and allowed four runs, three hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings while striking out five. Closer Aroldis Chapman made his second appearance, pitching a scoreless fourth inning. Austin Romine hit a three-run homer.
Freddie Freeman hit a grand slam. Brian McCann singled, hit his first double and is batting .500 in his return to the Braves. Touki Toussaint pitched three perfect innings and struck out five as he tries to earn a rotation job. Closer Arodys Vizcaino made his second appearance, allowing two runs and three hits while retiring just one batter.
JaCoby Jones hit a solo home run off Vizcaino and singled for Detroit. Tyson Ross struggled in his third start, giving up four runs, six hits and a walk in three innings as his ERA rose to 13.50.
BRAVES (SS) 4, MARLINS (SS) 0
Charlie Culberson had a single and his first double. Miguel Rojas had one of four singles for Miami.
ASTROS 11, MARLINS (SS) 5
Jose Altuve went 0 for 2, striking out twice and lowering his average to .182. Robinson Chirinos hit his first homer and Yuri Gurriel hit his third double.
Lewis Brinson had a hit in two trips, raising his average to .500 after batting .199 as a rookie last season for Miami. Trevor Richards allowed one run, two hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings. Marlins closer Drew Steckenrider was roughed up in his third appearance, giving up six runs, three hits and two walks while retiring just one batter.
Colin Moran had two hits, drove in a run and scored twice for Pittsburgh.
Boston managed just three hits off seven pitchers — singles by Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts and Sandy Leon.
Matt Harvey made his first start for Los Angeles, pitching three innings and allowing one run, two hits and a walk. David Fletcher singled and walked, scoring a run. Torii Hunter Jr. had a two-run double.
Jon Gray pitched four shutout innings in his third start for Colorado, allowing one hit and striking out five. Trevor Story had his first double, scoring a run. Sam Hilliard hit a two-run double and Raimel Tapia had a sacrifice fly and RBI single.
Anthony Rizzo singled and scored a run for Chicago. Daniel Descalso had an RBI and scored. Jose Quintana made his second start, giving up a hit and walk in three scoreless innings.
Chris Owings had a double and a single, stealing a base and scoring a run for Kansas City.
Nomar Mazara had two doubles, driving in two runs and scoring for Texas. Roughned Odor hit his third home run and Carlos Tocci hit his second — a three-run shot. Shelby Miller made his second start, allowing one run, four hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings.
Pablo Sandoval and Gerardo Parra hit solo home runs for San Francisco. Chris Stratton pitched two innings in his third start, allowing three runs and four hits.
Mike Clevinger pitched three shutout innings to get Cleveland off to a smooth start. Indians newcomer Hanley Ramirez had an RBI single, and Oscar Mercado went 2 for 2 with a home run.
Los Angeles lefty Rich Hill worked three innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out four. All-Star closer Kenley Jansen fanned two in a scoreless inning.
Scott Schebler homered and drove in four runs for Cincinnati. Yasiel Puig had two hits and Anthony DeSclafani gave up five hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. got two hits for San Diego, including a triple.
Chad Pinder and Mark Canha each hit a two-run homer for Oakland. Brett Anderson allowed two runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Seattle starter Wade LeBlanc was tagged for five runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Domingo Santana hit his fourth homer of the spring, and Braden Bishop had a three-run shot.