Yanks’ Cortes pain-free after 1st start
Nestor Cortes wasn’t exactly nasty in his first spring training appearance, but the New York Yankees left-handed emerged from Monday’s game against Minnesota feeling good.
After an injury-marred 2023, it’s a start.
“Everything positive, pitches really crisp,” Cortes said after allowing two runs and seven hits with four strikeouts in 22⁄3 innings. “And most important, got out of there healthy. So a big step forward.”
Cortes went 5-2 with a 4.97 ERA in 12 games last year and made just one start after May 30 while dealing with a rotator cuff injury.
Yankees third baseman DJ Lemahieu made his spring training debut and stayed in the game after taking a bad hop infield RBI single by Jair Camargo off the face in the third.
Lemahieu said he was fine after the ball hit his glasses near the top of his nose.
Lemahieu singled in two atbats. He was slowed by a foot injury in 2023 and hit just .243.
“I feel good,” Lemahieu said. “Good to be out there today. I felt good running. Been feeling really good swinging. Just moving better. I feel prepared and I have a good foundation, and ready to keep building for the long haul.”
Mets: Trayce Thompson hit a grand slam, Pete Alonso had a pair of doubles and Max Kranick threw two shutout innings as New York beat Washington 6-3.
Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani will make his exhibition debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers when he serves as the designated hitter for Los Angeles on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.
Los Angeles has been taking it slowly with the two-way star, who signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract during the offseason. The two-time MVP is coming off right elbow surgery last September that will keep him from pitching this year.
Ohtani did take live batting practice on Sunday, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts saying the sport’s biggest star looked “good.”
The Dodgers also announced that right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to make his first Cactus League appearance on Wednesday against Texas . ... The Dodgers and former World Series star Kiké Hernández agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract. When Los Angeles agreed to trade outfielder Manuel Margot to Minnesota, it opened up a spot on their bench for Hernández, a free agent after finishing the 2023 season with the Dodgers.
Red Sox: The Boston Red Sox have touched base with free agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery as they search for another starting pitcher, preferably one that can fit in at or near the top of the rotation. Manager Alex Cora confirmed an ESPN report that the Red Sox held a video conference meeting with Montgomery “recently.” Phillies: Bryce Harper, catcher J.T. Realmuto and third baseman Alec Bohm are expected to make their initial spring training appearances on Wednesday when Philadelphia hosts Atlanta.
Twins: Center fielder Byron Buxton is set to play in his first spring training game Tuesday after having offseason arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome right knee.
Cardinals: St. Louis scratched veteran designated hitter Matt Carpenter before Monday’s game against Miami with a bruised left wrist.
Deleón dies: José Deleón, a major league pitcher for 13 seasons who led the National League in strikeouts for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1989, has died. He was 63.