Atlanta Braves rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman, who went 3-for-3 with three doubles, had a spectacular Grapefruit League debut Saturday in a 5-5 tie with the New York Mets. Freeman's performance wasn't the only notable news as Tampa Bay Rays new designated hitter, Manny Ramirez, collected a hit in a 9-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On Sunday, there are five games scheduled, including the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins playing each other in their Grapefruit League openers (7;05 p.m.)
A preview of Sunday's games and notes from Saturday's Grapefruit contests come after the jump...
New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies (Clearwater, FL, 1:05 p.m.)
NYY starting pitcher: RHP Ivan Nova; PHI starting pitcher: RHP Joe Blanton; projected bullpen: Justin De Fratus, Michael Schwimmer, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge.
Saturday results: Phillies beat Yankees, 5-4; NYY post-game notes: 37-year old Bartolo Colon allowed one run in two innings; RHP Joba Chamberlain tossed a scoreless third inning; Mark Teixeira hit an run-scoring triple in the fifth inning; PHI post-game notes: LHP Cole Hamels allowed an unearned run on two hits; OF Ben Francisco went 1 for 1 with run scored.
New York Mets at Atlanta Braves (Lake Buena Vista, FL, 1:05 p.m.)
NYM starting pitcher: RHP Chris Young; projected bullpen: Oliver Perez; ATL projected pitchers: Rodrigo Lopez, Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor (each No. 5 candidates) should pitch; projected lineup: 3B Chipper Jones, 38, will make his Spring Training debut.
Saturday results: 5-5 tie between Braves and Mets; ATL game notes; Rookie 1B Freddie Freeman had a spectacular debut collecting three double in three at bats; LF Eric Hinske hit a solo homer in the fourth inning; starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens compiled two scoreless inning; NYM game notes: In two innings of work, starting pitcher Jenrry Mejia allowed one run and struck out three; 3B David Wright went 0 for 2, but made a spectacular diving defensive play.
Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers (Lakeland, FL, 1:05 p.m.)
TOR starting pitcher: LHP Marc Rzepczynski; projected bullpen: Jesse Litsch, Henderson Alvarez, Winston Abreu, Sean Henn and Alan Farina; DET starting pitcher: RHP Max Scherzer; projected bullpen: Brad Penny, Joel Zumaya and Joaquin Benoit.
Saturday results: Detroit beat Toronto, 4-0; TOR game notes: starting pitcher Brett Cecil allowed a run on three hits in two innings of work; OF Juan Rivera went 1-of-2 in his Jays debut; DET game notes: 2B Scott Sizemore had two doubles and two RBI; LHP Phil Coke, who is transition from reliever to starter, started and tossed two scoreless innings.
Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates (Bradenton, FL, 1:05 p.m.)
TB starting pitcher: RHP James Shields; projected bullpen: Brian Baker, Jonah Bayliss, Chris Bootcheck, Richard De Los Santos, Brandon Gomes and Alex Torress; PIT starting pitcher: RHP Kevin Correia; projected bullpen: Brian Burres, Joel Hanrahan and Joe Beimel.
Saturday results: Rays defeated Pirates, 9-5; TB game notes: 3B Evan Longoria hit a four inning homer; In one inning, LHP David Price struck out one with a hit and a walk; PIT game notes: Charlie Morton held Rays to no runs in two innings; Brad Lincoln, Morton's competition for the No. 5 spot, three hits and a run in two innings; OF Andrew McCutchen went 0-for-3.
Boston Red Sox at Minnestoa Twins (Lee County, FL, 7:05 p.m.)
BOS notable pitchers: Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz; notable player: 3B Kevin Youkilis will start.; MIN starting pitcher: RHP Carl Pavano; projected bullpen: Pat Neshek, Yorman Bazardo, Alex Burnett, Scott Diamond, Dusty Hughes, Chuck James, Jeff Manship and Anthony Swarzak; game notes: Twins Grapefruit debut.
BOS Saturday results: Defeated Boston College, 13-2.