Colon is still throwing strikes

Bartolo Colon could always throw strikes. Two months shy of turning 45, he still can.

Colon filled up the strike zone Thursday in his spring training debut for Texas, a two-inning start against San Diego.

The portly right-hander gave up two hits, including a home run by Wil Myers, struck out Chase Headley looking and walked none. He threw 23 of 32 pitches for strikes, and his fastball was mostly in the mid-80s mph range.

Colon signed a minor league contract with Texas after going a combined 7-14 with a 6.48 ERA in 28 starts last season with Atlanta and Minnesota.

"I feel well and I'm throwing strikes," he said. "I'm happy with the way I feel. All I need to do is keep working hard and then it's up to them."

Texas added Colon to see if he had anything left.

"He's got deception, a great feel for a pitch and commanding the fastball and puts it where he wants to," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Day one, he walks out here for live BP and young, fresh hitters walk away scratching their heads. They don't see it."

"It's phenomenal, to want to do it at that age," Banister said. "Hey, just to want to do it at that age and then be good enough to continue to do it, it's incredible."

Astros 10, Red Sox 5

Charlie Morton pitched two shutout innings in his first action since closing out Game 7 of the World Series. Houston prospect Kyle Tucker hit his third spring home run.

Boston starter Rick Porcello struck out four in two scoreless innings. Hanley Ramirez hit his first homer of the spring.

Yankees 6, Phillies 4

Miguel Andujar hit two more home runs a day before turning 23 years old. The New York third baseman has four homers this spring and is 6 for 14 (.429). CC Sabathia struck out three in two perfect innings in his spring debut. Aaron Altherr homered for Philadelphia.

Marlins 3, Mets 2

Jason Vargas allowed a run on three hits in two innings in his first start for New York. Closer Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect inning. Miami's top pitching prospect, Sandy Alcantara, gave up one run and four hits in a three-inning start.

Mets center fielder Michael Conforto celebrated his 25th birthday by hitting soft tosses in the batting cage for the first time since shoulder surgery in September.

Tigers’ Wood sprains left knee

Detroit left-hander Travis Wood sprained his left knee during his first spring training appearance for the Detroit Tigers.

Wood twisted the knee while starting a rundown in the second inning Thursday and fell to the ground clutching his knee. He was helped off the field and taken to the Tigers clubhouse.

The 31-year-old, who pitched in three games of the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs, agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers.