Ubaldo's O's debut among today's action
MLB.TV has seven live games across Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues
Friday offers another full slate of Spring Training action in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues, featuring several high-profile pitching matchups and some notable debuts.
Ubaldo Jimenez will make his Orioles debut with a start against the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. ET in a game that is available live on MLB.TV. Jimenez signed a four-year, $50 million deal last month, one of the biggest free-agent moves in O's history. A.J. Burnett will make his second start for Philadelphia. Burnett was targeted by the O's in the offseason, but inked a one-year, $16 million contract with the Phillies a few days before Jimenez signed with Baltimore.
Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright will make his Grapefruit League debut against the visiting Marlins at 1:05 p.m. ET in a game that is available live on MLB.TV. Wainwright, the club's Opening Day starter, had his debut pushed back because of a rainout on Thursday. The right-hander is set to work two innings, with Lance Lynn also scheduled to pitch. Henderson Alvarez will make his first spring start for the Marlins. Alvarez, who has missed time because of an infection on his right shin, will throw about two innings. Closer Steve Cishek is also set to pitch for Miami in a matchup fans can also listen to free via a Marlins.com exclusive webcast.
St. Louis will also send a split squad to Port St. Lucie, Fla., to face the Mets at 1:10 p.m. ET on MLB.TV. Both clubs were rained out on Thursday.
Alex Cobb will make his second Grapefruit League start when the Rays visit the Blue Jays in a matchup of American League East foes at 1:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV and MLB Network. Mark Buehrle will toe the rubber for Toronto. The veteran left-hander was scheduled to start on Thursday, but the game was cancelled because of severe rain and thunderstorms.
Dodgers prospect Zach Lee will make his first Cactus League start against the visiting Rangers at 3:05 p.m. ET in a game that is available live on MLB.TV. Lee, the club's No. 3 prospect, according to MLB.com, has been slowed this spring by a strained lat muscle. Martin Perez will start for the Rangers, with Michael Kirkman, Pedro Figueroa, Wilmer Font and Lisalverto Bonilla also scheduled to pitch.
Matt Garza hopes to settle down in his second start in a Brewers uniform against the visiting Padres at 3:05 p.m. ET in a game that is available live on MLB.TV. Garza said he was too amped up in his club debut on Sunday, when he allowed four runs in the first inning against the Rockies. Tyson Ross will take the mound for the Padres and outfielder Carlos Quentin is expected to be in the starting lineup for the second time this spring.
The MLB.TV slate wraps up with a split-squad matchup between the Cubs and Angels in Tempe, Ariz., at 3:05 p.m. ET. James McDonald will start for Chicago, with Mike Olt starting at designated hitter, Junior Lake in center and Luis Valbuena at second. Hector Santiago draws the start for the Angels. Projected as the Halos' third starter, Santiago is slated to go four innings in his second Cactus League appearance.
A's starter Scott Kazmir is scheduled to make his highly anticipated Cactus League debut against the D-backs at 3:05 p.m. ET in a game that is available free via an exclusive audio webcast on athletics.com. The left-hander inked a two-year, $22 million contract in the offseason. Oakland regulars Jed Lowrie, Josh Donaldson, Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick, Derek Norris and Alberto Callaspo will start behind Kazmir. Callaspo is set to debut at first base. Wade Miley will start for Arizona.
Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda, hoping to make the club as the fifth starter, is set to make his Grapefruit League debut in relief against the Tigers at 7:05 p.m. ET. Pineda is scheduled to throw three innings. Hiroki Kuroda will start for the Yankees opposite Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez.
Mike Leake will make his spring debut when a Reds split-squad hosts the White Sox at 3:05 p.m. ET in a game that can be heard live via Gameday Audio. Aroldis Chapman will follow Leake. Felipe Paulino will start for the White Sox, with newcomer Maikel Cleto also scheduled to pitch.