Coming off his American League Cy Young Award season, Tigers ace Tarik Skubal delivered two scoreless innings in his first spring start, a 4-0 Detroit loss to the visiting Minnesota Twins in Lakeland, Fla.
Skubal allowed one hit and struck out one, throwing 14 of his 19 pitches for strikes. Detroit’s offense wasn’t able to support him or the bullpen, collecting just two hits.
Meanwhile, Minnesota scored its runs on home runs, as DaShawn Keirsey Jr., Allan Cerda (two-run HR) and Rubel Cespedes went deep. Twins starter Andrew Morris, who tossed two scoreless innings, combined with five relievers on the two-hit shutout.
Phillies 9, Blue Jays 6
Philadelphia star Bryce Harper injured his right elbow after being hit by a pitch in a victory over host Toronto in Dunedin, Fla.
After the game, Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters that Harper’s initial diagnosis was a bruised right triceps, adding that the team will know more on Thursday.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. belted his second spring homer for Philadelphia, which pulled away with a five-run sixth inning. In his spring debut, Toronto starter Jose Berrios allowed one run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Astros 3, Nationals 0
In his first outing of the spring, Houston ace Framber Valdez limited Washington to one hit over two innings in a victory at West Palm Beach, Fla.
Yainer Diaz got the Astros on the board early, belted a two-run shot in the first inning. Chase Jaworsky had the other RBI on a ninth-inning single.
Starter DJ Herz took the loss, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. Washington totaled eight hits but couldn’t push a run across.
Pirates (ss) 7, Orioles 3
Matt Gorski swatted his third homer of the spring and finished with three RBIs, leading host Pittsburgh to a victory over Baltimore in Bradenton, Fla.
Ke’Bryan Hayes collected an RBI and scored on a wild pitch for Pittsburgh, while starter Bailey Falter pitched two scoreless frames in his spring debut.
Dylan Carlson singled in a run and scored, while Livan Soto and Samuel Basallo added an RBI apiece. Tomoyuki Sugano blanked the Pirates for two innings in his Baltimore debut.
Rays 8, Red Sox 2
Junior Caminero ripped a three-run triple in the fifth inning, putting Tampa Bay ahead to stay in a road victory over Boston in Fort Myers, Fla.
Curtis Mead went 2-for-2 with a second-inning solo home run in support of Rays starter Ian Seymour, who held the Red Sox scoreless in two innings.
For Boston, relievers Aroldis Chapman and Liam Hendriks — who didn’t pitch in 2024 following 2023 Tommy John surgery — tossed scoreless outings in their spring debuts. Alex Bregman drove in both Red Sox runs.
Braves (ss) 9, Pirates 4
Atlanta slugger Matt Olson drilled his first spring home run, a two-run blast in the first inning, in a victory over visiting Pittsburgh in North Port, Fla.
Cade Bunnell went 2-for-2 with four RBIs, putting the Braves ahead for good with a two-run single in the seventh. In his spring debut, starter AJ Smith-Shawver fanned three over two scoreless frames.
Jack Suwinski hit his first spring homer as part of a 2-for-3 day for Pittsburgh. DJ Stewart also went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Starter Mike Burrows gave up two runs in two innings.
Yankees 7, Cardinals 0
Dominic Smith opened a six-run third inning with his second spring homer in New York’s victory against visiting St. Louis in Tampa, Fla.
New arrivals Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt also had RBI hits in the third, along with Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells (two-run double). Yankees starter Will Warren struck out four over three sharp innings.
For St. Louis, starter Michael McGreevy delivered a pair of scoreless innings, then Tink Hence came on and gave up all six New York runs. Meanwhile, the Cards managed just three hits.
Marlins 4, Mets 1
Max Acosta smashed a solo shot and Mark Coley II added a two-run blast, leading Miami to a victory over visiting New York in Jupiter, Fla.
In his first spring outing, Marlins starter Max Meyer (one inning) and seven relievers combined to limit the Mets to five hits.
Pete Alonso delivered the Mets’ run with a double in the sixth, his third RBI of the spring. Paul Blackburn made his spring debut and tossed a scoreless frame.
–Field Level Media
