LEADING OFF: Roberts, Mattingly debut in dugout; A-Rod up

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A look at the highlights of what’s happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona today:

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DUGOUT DEBUTS

Dave Roberts makes his major league managerial debut when the Los Angeles Dodgers play the Chicago White Sox in Glendale, Arizona. The man Roberts replaced on the Dodgers’ bench, Don Mattingly, guides his new team against big league competition for the first time when Miami takes on St. Louis in Jupiter, Florida. It will also be the first game for new Marlins batting coach Barry Bonds.

REMEMBER ME?

The NL champion New York Mets open their Grapefruit League schedule against old friend Daniel Murphy and rival Washington. Max Scherzer starts for the Nationals. The previous time he faced the Mets, in the next-to-last game of the regular season, Scherzer pitched his second no-hitter of the year and struck out a team-record 17.

A-OK

Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez is expected to play for the first time this spring, facing a Phillies split squad. The 40-year-old hit 33 home runs last season.

SWITCHING SIDES

Jeremy Guthrie gets a fresh start when he pitches for Texas, which signed him earlier this month. The 36-year-old righty will face Kansas City — Guthrie started Game 7 of the 2014 World Series for the Royals, and went 8-8 for them last year.

NO RUSH

San Francisco shortstop Brandon Crawford has some soreness in his right shoulder and will be used as a designated hitter for a week or so. “Pitchers have a pitch count, I have a throw count,” he said. Veteran right-hander Jake Peavy and the Giants play Milwaukee.

FIRST IMPRESSION

Brewers newcomer Chase Anderson pitches against the Cubs. The right-hander was 6-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts for Arizona last season, then was traded to Milwaukee in late January in the deal for shortstop Jean Segura.

Kansas City Royals catcher Zane Evans plays catch in the bullpen during the fourth inning of the team’s spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/03/web1_109026555-07c1f95679db4ca39a94a16d233ce329.jpgKansas City Royals catcher Zane Evans plays catch in the bullpen during the fourth inning of the team’s spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, left, talks with hitting coach Barry Bonds during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/03/web1_109026555-90a5d9bcb7b345ce802e8ee269acaca4.jpgMiami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, left, talks with hitting coach Barry Bonds during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Nationals’ Max Scherzer pitches during an intrasquad baseball game at a spring training workout, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Viera, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/03/web1_109026555-9a50e75eb7b64edb977e40cffc50af90.jpgWashington Nationals’ Max Scherzer pitches during an intrasquad baseball game at a spring training workout, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Viera, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

By The Associated Press

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