ANGELS
Joyce offers depth
The Angels traded for Matt Joyce in the off-season, identifying the seven-year veteran as a reliable designated hitter and left-handed bat who could provide outfield depth.
Depth became a pressing issue two months after the December trade when outfielder Josh Hamilton underwent shoulder surgery. Now Hamilton, who has battled an addiction to cocaine and alcohol, also could face penalties from Major League Baseball after suffering some type of relapse.
So Joyce appears to figure prominently in the outfield.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity that's right there on the table and that's presenting itself," Joyce said. "I feel that I'm ready to have those at-bats."
Joyce, 30, batted .254 with a .349 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 52 runs batted in last season for the Tampa Bay Rays, who received reliever Kevin Jepsen from the Angels in the trade. This month, Joyce and the Angels avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $4.75-million contract.
YANKEES
A-Rod may play Tuesday
TAMPA, Fla. -- Alex Rodriguez might be in the New York Yankees' lineup for Tuesday's spring training opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said a decision will come Monday.
"It's something I have to talk to him about," Girardi said Saturday. "See where he's at physically."
Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, was suspended for the entire 2014 season because for violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract.
If A-Rod doesn't play in Tuesday's road game in Clearwater, his debut could come in Wednesday's spring home opener with the Phillies.
With the re-signing of Chase Headley to start at third base, Rodriguez is competing for at-bats as the designated hitter. He might get limited playing time at third and first base.
Rodriguez ranks fifth on the career home run list with 654. He has not played a full season since 2007 because the suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries.
Girardi plans to announce his starting pitchers for the first few spring training games today. The list will not include Masahiro Tanaka or CC Sabathia.
MARLINS
Stanton OK when hit
The Marlins didn't have to wait long to find out how Giancarlo Stanton would react the first time he was hit by a pitch.
During an intrasquad game Saturday, Stanton took a Henderson Alvarez fastball off the left hip. Stanton tried spinning out of the way, but couldn't avoid the offering. The good-humored Stanton gestured toward Alvarez and yelled out a playful taunt in Spanish. The two shook hands before Alvarez departed for the clubhouse.
"Feels good," Stanton said, afterward. "No thoughts, 100 percent fine. Didn't have one thought about it."
Saturday marked the first time Stanton stepped into the batters' box with the specially outfitted helmet that features a football style guard with a decorative 'G' molded into it. Thursday, Stanton faced live pitching for the first time since a Mike Fiers fastball on Sept. 11 struck him in the face and ended his season.
Alvarez pitched to Stanton on Thursday as well and admittedly was nervous. Stanton did not take any swings during the live BP session.
WHITE SOX
Sale fractures foot
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Chicago White Sox ace left-hander Chris Sale has a fracture in his right foot and may miss opening day.
The team announced Saturday that he's expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.
Sale, who was injured in an accident at his home on Friday, had X-rays of his foot Saturday at a hospital in Glendale. He'll have more tests after the swelling goes down.
The 25-year-old was 12-4 with 208 strikeouts and a 2.17 ERA last season, finishing third in the American League Cy Young Award voting.
MLB
Cuba may host games
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Major League Baseball is considering playing future spring training games in Cuba.
Baseball players' association president Tony Clark said Saturday there have been "ongoing" discussions about playing exhibition games in Cuba, which recently renewed diplomatic ties with the United States. Clark said there were conversations about Cuba hosting games this spring, but there wasn't enough time to finalize details.
Cuba and the U.S. have a long-time connection through baseball. Several Cuban-born players have become stars on MLB teams.
Major league teams regularly held spring training camps in Cuba in the 1940s and '50s. The Cincinnati Reds had a Class AAA affiliate in Havana before Fidel Castro banned professional sports.
The Baltimore Orioles played a two-game exhibition series against the Cuban national team in 1999. The first game in Havana was the first by a major league team in 40 years.
RAYS
Belisario hurts shoulder
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Ronald Belisario has fractured his non-throwing shoulder in a swimming pool accident and is not expected to be ready for the start of the season.
The team said Saturday that Belisario will be sidelined indefinitely. The Rays right-hander injured his left shoulder getting out of a pool in Venezuela last month. Belisario will be held out of on-field drills for at least two weeks.
Belisario is a non-roster invitee competing for a bullpen job after going 4-8 with a 5.56 ERA in 62 appearances with the Chicago White Sox last season.
President of baseball operations Matt Silverman said Belisario's shoulder "hadn't been checked out until he got here" for spring training this week.
Sports on 03/01/2015