BRAVES
Upton has sesamoiditis
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Atlanta Braves outfielder Melvin Upton is expected to miss the rest of spring training because of inflammation in his left foot.
The team announced Upton's condition Friday after he underwent an X-ray and MRI exam.
Upton's foot will be placed in a short leg cast for two weeks, then in a walking boot from four to six weeks. The team said he will likely be able to resume baseball activities in early April, about the time the Braves are opening the regular season.
Upton was diagnosed with sesamoiditis, which is inflammation in the bone behind the ball of the foot.
The condition is a further setback to Upton, who is coming off two miserable seasons after signing a five-year, $75 million contract with the Braves.
ANGELS
Report: Hamilton relapsed
Josh Hamilton, who survived an addiction to cocaine and alcohol to become a five-time All-Star, has suffered some type of relapse, a person with knowledge of the situation has confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.
The Angels outfielder met with Major League Baseball officials in New York on Wednesday. Since then, there have been negotiations about how the situation will be handled moving forward.
Hamilton is known to have failed at least six drug tests as a minor leaguer more than a decade ago. His addictions led to a three-year suspension from baseball, from 2003 to 2005.
He was reinstated in 2006, under terms that are largely unknown. The only condition that is known is that he has been subject to three drug tests a week ever since.
The unknown terms may be complicating matters now. Rob Manfred, baseball's new commissioner, would make the call on any penalty.
Players failing to comply with a treatment program are subject to suspensions that range from 15 to 25 games for an initial violation, 25 to 50 games for a second violation, 50 to 75 games for a third violation, at least one year for a fourth violation and commissioner's discretion for any other violation.
Hamilton, 33, had not been with the Angels at their Tempe, Ariz., spring training facility. He had been in Houston, rehabilitating a right shoulder that was surgically repaired on Feb. 4.
He was expected to be sidelined until at least May after the shoulder surgery. With any suspension tacked on to his stay on the disabled list, he would miss a substantial part of the season, if he returned at all.
Hamilton has five years and $125 million left on his contract. He is scheduled to make $25 million this season.
YANKEES
Sabathia tosses 41
TAMPA, Fla. -- CC Sabathia threw 41 pitches during his third bullpen session at spring training.
The 34-year-old left-hander was hobbled by a degenerative cartilage problem in his right knee last season and didn't pitch after May 10. He had surgery in July.
"No problems," Sabathia said Friday. "Still working on things. My cutter, my changeup."
Sabathia said he will have another bullpen session before likely advancing to batting practice.
"Try and take it slow," Sabathia said. "Not rush it or overdo it in February."
Sabathia plans on wearing a knee brace this season and will receive injections and have fluid drained as needed.
The six-time All-Star and 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner made only eight starts last year and finished 3-4 with a career-worst 5.28 ERA. He is 208-119 with a 3.63 ERA in 14 seasons.
Ivan Nova, coming back from right elbow ligament-replacement surgery in April, threw 26 fastballs and appears on track to rejoin the major league team by June.
A-Rod tries first base
TAMPA, Fla. -- Stripped of his job at third base, Alex Rodriguez moved across the diamond and worked out at first base for the initial time with the New York Yankees.
Rodriguez fielded grounders and took part in various drills including bunt defense Friday during New York's second full-squad workout.
Asked whether he felt comfortable at first, Rodriguez said: "Too quick to tell."
"I'm anxious to learn, though," he added.
REDS
High hopes for Byrd
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Marlon Byrd knows the Reds traded for him because they think he'll bring them more than just another run producer in left field.
Cincinnati is hoping the 14-year veteran also helps with a clubhouse that's still got a lot of young players. Byrd notes that he's been demoted, suspended and traded, so can help everyone learn from his experience.
The Reds got Byrd in a trade with Philadelphia in December to play left field, a trouble spot for the last two years. He joins a lineup that struggled to score runs last season. Byrd batted .264 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI in 154 games for Philadelphia last season. He also struck out a career-high 185 times.
Sports on 02/28/2015