Skip to main content

LEADING OFF: Sabathaia, Strasburg to make starts

  • Author:
  • Publish date:

A look at the highlights of what's happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona today:

---

KNEE TEST

Yankees ace CC Sabathia will make his first spring training start, against Toronto in Tampa, Florida. The 34-year-old lefty was hobbled by a degenerative cartilage problem in his right knee last season and was done after having surgery in July. 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.

TOE THE RUBBER

Stephen Strasburg returns to Grapefruit League action against the Tigers in Lakeland, Florida. The right-hander was scratched from his previous start because of an ingrown toenail and threw instead on the minor league side.

ELBOW TROUBLE

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler is expected to meet in New York with team medical director Dr. David Altchek to determine how to proceed after he was diagnosed with a torn elbow ligament. Wheeler is likely headed for Tommy John surgery, which will keep him out for the entire 2015 season.

GREEN TEAM

The Phillies are going to set aside their red uniforms for green when they play Tampa Bay in Clearwater, Florida, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Jerome Williams starts against Chris Archer and the Rays.

A PAIR OF A'S

Coco Crisp, bothered by a strained right elbow, will play ''Tuesday if everything goes right,'' manager Bob Melvin said. First baseman Ike Davis, out since Wednesday with back spasms, could also return against a San Diego split squad in Mesa, Arizona.