*Split-squad day! In one game the Astros beat the Mets 8-7. J.D. Davis, Max Stassi, and Kyle Tucker each hit home runs. Hector Rondon allowed 4H/4ER, 1K:1BB in 0.2IP. Tony Sipp retired all three batters he faced.
In the other game the Marlins put it on the Astros, winning 11-0. Derek Fisher was 1x1 with 2BB. Frankie Tuesday allowed 3H/3R (1ER), 1K:1BB in 1.1IP; Will Harris allowed 1H/3R (2ER), 0K:1BB; James Hoyt got tagged for 4H/4ER, 0K:1BB in 1.2IP.
*The Astros are calling Kyle Tucker "Ted."
*Verlander threw 20 of 28 pitches for strikes and struck out four batters. Verlander:
I felt great. I don't think I could ask for any more out of Day One on the mound...Everything wasn't quite midseason form. There's a reason it's called midseason form, though. Overall, Day One, very pleased.
*In The Athletic, Jake Kaplan writes that Justin Verlander uses Spring Training to refine his curveball.
*Yuli Gurriel was experiencing some soreness in his wrist, so he got sat down. Hinch:
He came out a little sore during his work today...It's still February. We don't know a ton. It wasn't a 911 emergency as much as it was precautionary reasons.
In that link we find a note from McTaggart on how happy Altuve is for J.D. Martinez.
*The Chronicle's Bruce Webb writes that Houston is spending $105m to turn the Astrodome into nothing at all.
*Hanley Ramirez says the Red Sox are going to "step on everybody's neck."
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
