A look at what’s happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona today:
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ALL CLEAR
After a brief scare, New York Mets ace Matt Harvey is still on track to start Sunday night’s opener at Kansas City after passing a blood clot in his bladder. “Passed it yesterday,” Harvey said. “It wasn’t a great first day of my 27th birthday, but I cleared that and we had a little procedure done this morning just to go in and check the bladder, and everything was clear. I’m cleared to go, cleared to do some minor activities today, and then we’ll be back to normal tomorrow.”
FRENCHY STICKS
Jeff Francoeur is staying with his hometown team. The Braves announced Tuesday that the 32-year-old has made Atlanta’s opening day roster as a bench player after hitting .327 through 20 spring games. Francoeur began his career with Atlanta in 2005 as a heralded prospect that made the cover of Sports Illustrated. “For me it’s going to be really cool on Monday running out there back at Turner Field, especially being the last year,” he said.
PRICE IS RIGHT
Red Sox manager John Farrell announced that left-hander David Price will be Boston’s opening day starter Monday in Cleveland. The announcement was just a formality. The Red Sox signed Price to a seven-year, $217 million free agent contract in December.
COURT TV
The long-running television dispute between Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals is heading to mediation. New York Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Marks said in an order that the sides agreed to hold a mediation on April 12-13. A Feb. 24 letter from Nationals lawyer Stephen Neuwirth to Marks, which was posted to the case file, said the sides agreed to have Boston-based Eric Green mediate.
SEE YOU SOON?
Trea Turner’s time is coming, but it’s not quite here. The Nationals will send the shortstop prospect to the minors to start the season to work on his footwork, arm strength and leadership skills. “A shortstop’s got to have energy,” manager Dusty Baker said. “It gives everybody else energy.”
