Stanton feels clear-headed
GIANCARLO STANTON spotted downcast teammate Jose Fernandez in the Miami Marlins' clubhouse Thursday and flashed him a grin. "Relax," Stanton said. "Relax."
GIANCARLO STANTON spotted downcast teammate Jose Fernandez in the Miami Marlins' clubhouse Thursday and flashed him a grin.
"Relax," Stanton said. "Relax."
Stanton was feeling better after being hit in the helmet Wednesday by a fastball from Fernandez, the Marlins' top pitching prospect. X-rays were negative, there was no sign of a concussion, and Stanton said his vision returned to normal after a few hours. He expects to play in the Marlins' first spring-training game Saturday.
All of that was good news for the Marlins, and especially for the 20-year-old Fernandez, who is in his first major league spring training camp.
Fernandez said he felt badly about the errant pitch and took some razzing from teammates for beaning the 2012 NL slugging champion. Stanton predicted the situation would ultimately make Fernandez feel more like part of the team.
"Everyone is giving him a hard time," Stanton said. "But I don't think it's going to hurt his confidence. He'll be fine."
Noteworthy *
Former infielder Josh Booty won a reality television show by throwing the best knuckleball, and will go to spring training with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a nonroster invitation. The show on the MLB Network was called "The Next Knuckler." Booty, 37, played 13 games for the Marlins from 1996-98. He also played quarterback at LSU. Booty was among five former college quarterbacks in the competition.
* Washington agreed to terms with righthander Chris Young on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. Young, 33, went 4-9 with a 4.15 ERA in 20 starts last year with the Mets.
* Cincinnati blocked ace Johnny Cueto from pitching for the Dominican Republic in next month's World Baseball Classic. Cueto strained his right oblique eight pitches into last October's Division Series against San Francisco. Because he finished the year with an injury, the Reds had the right to block him from the WBC.
* Ivan Rodriguez rejoined the Texas Rangers organization as a special assistant to the general manager with several roles.
* Former Boston manager Bobby Valentine will be named athletic director at Sacred Heart University, the Connecticut Post reported, citing a source.
* Union head Michael Weiner says reporters should refrain from jumping to conclusions about media reports linking players to a Florida anti-aging clinic accused of distributing banned drugs.