Eflin makes good 1st impression with Rays after big deal

The most expensive free agent in Tampa Bay history made a good first impression with the Rays.

Zach Eflin struck out three of four Minnesota Twins batters on Thursday in his first spring training start, a game played at Tropicana Field. The righthander signed a $40 million, three-year contract during the offseason, the most money the Rays have given to a free agent. ROJAS OUT OF WBC, FOCUS ON DODGERS >> Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas told reporters that he is pulling out of the World Baseball Classic with Venezuela because he wants to focus on his role as the likely starting shortstop for Los Angeles.

The 34-year-old is expected to get more playing time following an injury to Gavin Lux, who tore ligaments in a knee this week and will miss the season.

ROCKIES WOES >> It was a double dose of less-thanencouraging news for the Rockies on Thursday.

Manager Bud Black said Gold Glove-winning second baseman Brendan Rodgers could be looking at surgery after he dislocated his left shoulder while diving for a grounder up the middle in a spring training game Wednesday. NEAR NO-NO >> The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't get a hit in their 9-1 exhibition loss against the Yankees until Matt Fraizer led off the bottom of the ninth inning with an infield single off non-roster right-hander Matt Bowman, the ninth New York pitcher.

Fraizer was erased on a double-play grounder, but Drew Maggi homered for the only Pirates run.

Each Yankees pitcher threw one inning. The first five were 40-man roster guys, with starter Lou Trivino followed by Wandy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Albert Abreu and Jimmy Cordero.