Times wires
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
TAMPA — Mark Teixeira ended his 12-year relationship with agent Scott Boras, the Yankees first baseman announced Wednesday.
"There's no reason to get into a lot of specifics right now, but sometimes business relationships just run their course," said Teixeira, who is in the third season of an eight-year, $180 million deal.
Teixeira, who has not selected a new agent, said Boras took the news well but was disappointed.
Burnett on target: RHP A.J. Burnett pitched two scoreless innings in his first spring start, and the Yankees beat an Astros split squad 6-5.
Burnett, who had control issues last year, threw first-pitch strikes to his first five batters and 15 of 21 strikes overall.
"That's what we're working on: not worrying about what happens if you throw a ball or what I did wrong if I miss by 4 inches," Burnett said.
Short hops: C Francisco Cervelli fouled a ball off his left foot. Initial exams were inconclusive, and he will be held out today and Friday. … SS Derek Jeter went 1-for-3 and is 2-for-9 so far with his strideless swing.
Jays: Late delivery
DUNEDIN — SS Jon Diaz hit a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth as the Blue Jays beat the Rays 5-4.
Toronto RHP Brandon Morrow allowed two singles and struck out four in three scoreless innings.
DH Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run homer in the second off the Rays' David Price.
Careful with Hill: 2B Aaron Hill, sidelined with tightness in his right quadriceps muscle, played for the first time this spring in a "B" game vs. the Phillies. Hill doubled and was replaced to keep him from running too much. "I just wanted to see some live pitching," he said.
Phillies: Oswalt debut
CLEARWATER — RHP Roy Oswalt, acquired from Houston at the trade deadline last season, walked his first hitter in his Phillies spring debut but settled in to have what he felt was a productive start.
He gave up a run in two innings of a 6-5 loss to the Orioles.
"I was pretty much just trying to locate fastballs, more than anything," Oswalt said. "I tried to stick with that and the changeup most of the day.
"My biggest thing, my goal every spring training, is to just get your fastball command down first, and then everything works off of that."
Oswalt gave up consecutive one-out hits in the second, including an RBI double to Brendan Harris. In all, Oswalt allowed two hits, walked one and struck out one.
Not so hot: Rookie OF Domonic Brown was held out against the Orioles. Brown, in competition for the starting rightfield job, is 0-for-12 with eight strikeouts in four games so far.