Cobb struggles, but Rays get bats going against Blue Jays

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay opening-day starter Alex Cobb had a tough outing, however the Rays had their best offensive showing of spring training Thursday in a 10-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Steve Souza Jr. and Logan Forsythe homered during an eight-run fifth inning for the Rays, who trailed 3-0 and[…]

Ortiz and Sandoval homer, Red Sox top Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — David Ortiz and Pablo Sandoval homered in the third inning off Pirates right-hander Ryan Beckman to erase a deficit and lift the Boston Red Sox over Pittsburgh 5-1 Thursday. Pirates starter A.J. Burnett pitched 2 1-3 hitless innings but left two runners on base who scored on Ortiz’s three-run drive. Burnett[…]

Sabathia throws simulated game; Capuano out until May

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — CC Sabathia thinks he is ready for his first spring training start. The New York Yankees left-hander threw 29 pitches broken down into two innings during his first simulated game of spring training Thursday. Sabathia is lined up to possibly pitch on Tuesday. The 34-year-old was hobbled by a degenerative cartilage[…]

Magic inducting Shaquille O’Neal into team Hall of Fame

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic are inducting Shaquille O’Neal into the team’s Hall of Fame. The Magic announced O’Neal’s addition Thursday. He will be honored on March 27 when the Magic host the Detroit Pistons. The perennial All-Star and No. 1 overall draft pick in 1992 becomes the third inductee into the Magic[…]