Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun has a broken jaw after being hit in the mouth by a fastball Sunday.
The lefthanded-hitting Calhoun crumbled after being struck in the face by a fastball from Dodgers lefthander Julio Urias during the first inning of a spring training game in Surprise, Ariz.
Calhoun fell on his back, put his hands over his face and was eventually carried off on a cart. The Rangers said he was taken to a hospital and had a CT scan, which revealed a fracture of his jaw. He is expected to be re-examined Monday.
A fourth-round pick by the Dodgers in 2015, Calhoun was acquired in the trade for righthander Yu Darvish in 2017 and established himself in the Rangers lineup last year, hitting .269 with 21 home runs in 83 games.
Etc.
• Houston ace Justin Verlander felt soreness in his triceps and made an early exit from an exhibition start Sunday, and the 37-year-old AL Cy Young Award winner was headed for more tests. Verlander was set to pitch four innings against the Mets. But with his velocity down from his previous start, the Astros pulled him after two scoreless innings in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
• Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez said his sore back is improving, but the two-time All-Star remains out of the lineup, didn't take batting practice Saturday or Sunday and won't play Monday.
• Baltimore will be without top hitter Trey Mancini as he is having what the team is calling a non-baseball-related medical procedure. The Orioles also claimed righthander Hector Velazquez off waivers from Boston.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
