Report: Fernandez was likely operating boat in deadly crash

Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was the “probable” operator of a speeding boat that crashed into a Miami Beach jetty Sept. 25, killing him and two other men, according to a report issued Thursday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which investigated the accident.

The 46-page report included a seating chart that had Fernandez at the helm, based on “physical evidence” collected during the investigation, including the pitcher’s fingerprints and DNA on the steering wheel and throttle and the projection of his body as he was thrown from the boat. It also listed drugs and alcohol as factors in the crash.

Fernandez’s 32-foot Sea Vee hit Miami’s Government Cut north jetty at 65.7 mph just after 3 a.m. on Sept. 25, the report said. Fernandez and the boat’s other occupants — Emilio Jesus Macias, 27, and Eduardo Rivero, 25 — were ejected.

Investigators concluded that had Fernandez survived the crash, he could have been charged with multiple crimes, including boating under the influence, manslaughter, vessel homicide, and reckless or careless operation of a vessel.

“No matter what the report concluded, nothing will ever diminish Jose’s everlasting positive connection with Miami and the Miami Marlins,” Marlins President David Samson said in an email. WBC: Nelson Cruz hit his third home run of the tournament and Gregory Polanco also went deep, leading the Dominican Republic to a 3-0 victory in San Diego that pushed Venezuela (0-2) to the brink of elimination. The Dominican Republic (1-1) had won 11 straight WBC games until losing to Puerto Rico in the Pool F opener Tuesday night.

Scherzer to miss opener? NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer probably will miss the Nationals’ opener against Miami on April 3 because of a stress fracture in his right ring finger.

The stress fracture had caused Scherzer to change the grip on his fastball, placing three fingers on top of the ball instead of two, but he went back to his old grip Thursday during his first game action this year, a three-inning stint in which he struck out five in an exhibition against Mets’ Triple-A players.

On the field for the Nationals, Bryce Harper hit his spring training-leading sixth home run, and Gio Gonzalez pitched five hitless innings in a 3-1 win over the Mets.

House back to work: Toronto reliever T.J. House is slowly increasing his physical activity, almost a week after he was hospitalized after being hit on the head by a line drive during a spring training game. House was cleared to run on a treadmill for five minutes Thursday, a day after he rode a stationary bike for seven minutes.