SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP

Yankees' Sabathia makes first appearance since heart procedure

New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia has returned to the mound for the first time since undergoing a heart procedure in December.

Sabathia allowed one run and two hits over two innings on Thursday in a minor league exhibition game, striking out three for Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre against Toledo, Detroit's Triple-A affiliate.

Sabathia, who has announced he's retiring after the season, said he "felt great" after his 26-pitch outing.

"No problems. I felt like the ball was coming out of my hand pretty good. All positive," Sabathia said.

Tigers center field prospect Daz Cameron, the son of former major leaguer Mike Cameron, had a first-inning double and Hector Sanchez hit an opposite-field homer to right during the second. Sabathia will make another minor league appearance on Tuesday against Philadelphia Phillies prospects. He expected to miss his first two or three regular season starts.

The 38-year-old had a stent inserted this winter after a blockage was found in an artery from his heart. He has had chronic right knee problems that required several operations. Sabathia also has a five-game suspension pending for hitting the Tampa Bay Rays' Jesus Sucre with a pitch in his final start last season. Sabathia was 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts last season. This will be his 11th year with the Yankees.

Cardinals 11, Yankees 3

Marcell Ozuna hit his first spring homer and had three hits, and Dexter Fowler hit two homers for the Cardinals. Jake Woodford allowed three runs in four innings. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Greg Bird would likely play over the weekend after being held out Thursday after being hit on his right elbow in the first inning of Wednesday's game. Bird is batting .333 with three doubles, three homers and 17 RBIs. Domingo German got the start and gave up five runs and three homers over 3 2/3 innings.

Mets 6, Marlins 0

Brandon Nimmo had two homers and four RBIs, and Michael Conforto hit his fifth homer of the spring for the Mets. Steven Matz pitched five strong innings, striking out three and allowing six hits. Led by Edwin Diaz, the bullpen followed with four hitless innings. Marlins' starter Wei-Yin Chen allowed five runs and seven hits, two of them home runs.