Lindor takes major step in comeback

Slowly and sensibly, Francisco Lindor is working his way back onto the field.

Surrounded by approximately 50 fans, more than a dozen minor leaguers, a few scouts, and various game operations and medical staffers, the Indians’ three-time All-Star shortstop played in a controlled Triple-A game on Wednesday, a major step in his recovery from a right calf strain.

“The pitcher was nasty, great pitcher,” Lindor said about Dodgers righthander Brock Stewart, who struck him out twice. “I’m blessed to be out there, happy to be out there.”

Lindor went 0-for-3 with the two strikeouts against Stewart on a practice field near Goodyear Ballpark, where his major league teammates played Milwaukee in a splitsquad game.

Stewart got Lindor to swing and miss on a 3-2 pitch in his last at-bat with a cutting fastball. In his first at-bat, Lindor swung on a 3-0 count to get in his cuts, flying out in gusting winds to left.

“That felt good,” Lindor said. “I thought my swings were good. I controlled my approach and will build off that.”

Lindor worked the count full in his second at-bat, swinging and missing the last two pitches.

“I took it as Day 1 spring training,” he said. “Nobody goes 100 percent in spring training, unless you are trying to make the team. So, that’s how I went up there today. Took some good pitches, some I missed — a lot of them.”

Per the requirements of the medical staff, Lindor jogged to first base after making contact and while playing three innings in the field.

Martinez headed to DL:

Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez will begin the season on the injured list as the twotime All-Star tries to work his way back from shoulder weakness.

Martinez will not appear in an exhibition games. He is to throw on flat ground for the next week before moving to a mound.

The pitcher received a platelet-rich plasma injection two weeks ago, and manager Mike Shildt said treatment improved Martinez’s condition.

Martinez, 27, was the Cardinals’ opening-day starter last year but did not pitch for St. Louis from May 8 until June 5 last year because of a strained right lat muscle, then was out between July 19 and 30 because of a strained right oblique and between July 30 and Aug. 21 because of a strained right shoulder.

Extra innings: Cubs reliever Pedro Strop has a strained right hamstring, eliminating the likely candidate to close at the start of the season as Brandon Morrow recovers from elbow surgery . ... The Blue Jays tapped RHP Marcus Stroman to start the opener against the visiting Tigers on March 28 . ... Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said RHP Alex Cobb will start the opener against the Yankees . ... The Nationals agreed to a one-year deal with LHP Tony Sipp with a mutual option for 2020. ... Noah Syndergaard allowed two hits in 5 2⁄3 shutout innings with five strikeouts and two walks in the Mets’ 2-1 win over the Astros.