Spring training roundup

Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols strikes out against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game, Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in Tempe, Ariz.  (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols strikes out against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game, Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

— Albert Pujols hit two ground outs and struck out in his first spring training appearance of the year for the Los Angeles Angels, a 6-4 victory Tuesday over the Cincinnati Reds.

The three-time MVP, recovering from off season surgery on his right knee, hit a broken-bat grounder to third in the first against Mike Leake, struck out swinging in the fourth against Aroldis Chapman and grounded to shortstop in the sixth against Wilkin De La Rosa.

About 10 days ahead of the schedule the Angels had anticipated, Pujols was the designated hitter and batted third.

The Los Angeles lineup included its projected starting outfield for the first time: Mike Trout in left, Peter Bourjos in center and Josh Hamilton in right field. They went a combined 4 for 8.

NATIONALS Soriano shines

VIERA, Fla. - The Washington Nationals finally got a look at their new closer Tuesday.

They liked what they saw.

Rafael Soriano, who signed a two-year, $28 million contract with Washington in January, gave up a hit in a scoreless inning in his spring training debut during a 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

“He was getting his work in, but he made some good pitches,” Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki said. “[He threw] a 3-2 breaking ball [to Houston’s Robbie Grossman] for a strikeout to end the inning. He looked good.”

Soriano, who arrived late to camp because of visa issues, is scheduled to make eight appearances this spring, including one set of back-to-back outings.

“He’s a character to say the least,” Nationals Manager Davey Johnson said. “He was a little frustrated that we had all those (scoring) rallies. He was ready to go. He said he was down there throwing some knuckle balls to kill some time.”

Once on the mound, Soriano’s day lasted 12 pitches, in the seventh inning. He got Houston’s Justin Maxwell out on a long fly to center field, then gave up a single to J.D. Martinez. After Suzuki threw out pinch-runner Brandon Barnes trying to steal second, he struck out Grossman to end the inning.

METS Feliciano wears monitor

JUPITER, Fla. - New York Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano wore a heart monitor while pitching and reported no problems or discomfort during his first spring training outing.

Feliciano threw one inning against the Miami Marlins in a “B” game on a practice field behind Roger Dean Stadium. He allowed one run - on Ben Lasater’s home run - hit a batter and struck out one.

“I think it was better than what I was expecting in my velocity, release,” Feliciano said.

Feliciano was diagnosed last week with a rare genetic condition called left ventricular noncompaction. The condition results from the failure of myocardial development from birth. Feliciano said he never thought about the heart monitor while in the game.

The 36-year-old lefthander, who missed the past two seasons because of a shoulder injury, threw 11 of 18 pitches for strikes. His fastball was clocked by scouts in thelow 80 mph range.

ORIOLES Markakis out

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis says the neck spasms he is having aren’t a concern.

Markakis was scratched from Sunday’s game and said Tuesday morning that he would take his recovery slowly and expected to be able to play in a few days. He missed substantial portions of last season after suffering a broken bone in his hand and a fractured thumb.

Orioles Manager Buck Showalter said before Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays that he would not play Markakis against Spain today. Showalter added that the right fielder could have played had this been the regular season.

Markakis played 104 games last year after averaging 160 the previous five seasons.

CARDINALS Furcal to get 2nd opinion

JUPITER, Fla. - St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal is getting a secondopinion on his ailing elbow.

General Manager John Mozeliak said Furcal would be examined today by Dr. James Andrews.

The 35-year-old Furcal is out indefinitely after reinjuring the elbow he hurt late last season. Furcal and the team elected to try rehab rather than reconstructive surgery in the offseason.

RED SOX Britton arrested

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jail records say Boston Red Sox left-hander Drake Britton was arrested in Fort Myers, Fla., for driving under the influence.

The 23-year-old was arrested early Saturday morning. He was also charged with reckless driving and DUI with property damage. He posted bond later that day.

His arrest report says Britton was speeding when a deputy tried to stop him for “numerous traffic violations.” The report says Britton drove his car over a curb and knocked down a fence.He then drove over it before making a complete stop. The report says Britton admitted to the deputy he had been drinking.

Britton was optioned to Class AA Portland in Maine during the team’s first round of roster cuts. The club released a statement Tuesday saying they take the arrest “very seriously, and it is being addressed.” They declined further comment.

YANKEES Teixeira injured

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The U.S. team played the Chicago White Sox to a draw Tuesday.

The afternoon probably felt like a loss.

In its first of two exhibition games before the World Baseball Classic, Manager Joe Torre’s team fell into a four-run hole through five innings, and needed three RBI by Giancarlo Stanton and a run-scoring triple by David Wright to forge a 4-4 tie in a game called after nine innings.

But the game itself proved to be almost secondary to what happened before it, when New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira strained his right forearm and had to pull out of thetournament.

“He had gone into the cage to hit off the tee. I think he took about three or four, just light swings as he was starting to get loose,” Torre said afterward. “It was just a freak thing.”

Sports, Pages 24 on 03/06/2013

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