Carlos Beltran got hit by a pitch on his right little toe in the Cardinals 8-2 win over the Miami Marlins. His X-rays were negative, but he said “It’s painful. Real painful.” He wouldn’t speculate on his participation in next week’s World Baseball Classic. Jake Westbrook took a line drive off his knee from Casey Kotchman in the second inning and came out of the game. It’s just a bruise and he said had this been a regular season game, he would have stayed in and pitched.
Yadier Molina, who will play first base for Puerto Rico in the WBC, played the position on Thursday and made a diving stop on a grounder after he misplayed a cue shot.
The Cardinals face Bud Norris and the Astros today.
New Royals pitcher James Shields threw 13 fastballs, mixed in with some changeups and got in one inning of work, before he was done for the day. The Royals beat San Diego 5-4, and haven’t lost yet in spring training. Nate Adcock worked out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning, getting a double play ball after he walked two and hit a batter.
Ervin Santana pitches today when the Royals face the Reds.
