Fans see first sign(ings) of spring
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor signs autographs for fans before Friday’s Cactus League opener against the Reds in Goodyear, Ariz. The Reds won the exhibition 6-4. (Rob Tringali/Getty )
YANKEES:Aaron Boone was a winner in his first game as a manager at any level of baseball. Hired to replace Joe Girardi in the New York dugout, Boone managed the Yankees to a 3-1 victory over the Tigers on Friday in their Grapefruit League opener. ... American League home run champion and Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge hit on a back field and likely won’t play in an exhibition game until next week. Judge had surgery on his left shoulder in November.
RED SOX: Manager Alex Cora said after the Red Sox’s 4-3 win over the Twins in their Grapefruit League opener that he’s not concerned about the delay in finalizing the contract of prized free agent OF J.D. Martinez. Martinez agreed to terms Monday on a deal that’s as long as five years and worth as much as $110 million.
CARDINALS: Manager Mike Matheny isn’t sure when 1B Matt Carpenter, who’s battling back tightness, will make his Grapefruit League debut. At the moment, he isn’t swinging a bat or fielding ground balls. A three-time All-Star, Carpenter, 32, missed much of last spring with back and oblique soreness.
TIGERS: LHP Francisco Liriano agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Tigers, reuniting him with former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who replaced Brad Ausmus in Detroit. Liriano, 34, was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with the Blue Jays and 20 relief appearances with the World Series champion Astros, who acquired him at the July 31 trade deadline.
EXTRA INNINGS: RHP Jesse Chavez and the Rangers agreed on a one-year, $1 million contract. ... Canadian Stu Scheurwater has been hired to fill the umpire opening created by Dale Scott’s retirement.