New York Mets' Juan Soto hits a solo home run during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

BRADENTON, Fla. — Left-hander Andrew Heaney and the Pittsburgh Pirates finalized a $5.25 million, one-year contract on Saturday.

The 33-year-old is 51-62 with a 4.45 ERA during his 11-year career, mostly with the Los Angeles Angels. Heaney spent the last two seasons with Texas, winning a career-high 10 games in 2023 while helping the Rangers win their first World Series. Heaney went 5-14 with a 4.28 ERA in 32 games in 2024.

Right-hander Brett de Geus was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. Pittsburgh also released right-hander Yerry Rodriguez from a minor league contract.

Soto blasts 426-foot homer in first at-bat with Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Juan Soto homered in his first spring training at-bat for his new team, hitting a solo shot to left-center field in the first inning for the New York Mets against Houston. Soto signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract this offseason, moving across New York from the Yankees to the Mets. He hit second in the order Saturday, between Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, and hit a 426-foot homer on a 2-1 pitch from left-hander Colton Gordon. The following inning, Soto drove in another run with a ground ball.

Sale throws two perfect innings for Braves

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Fresh off his first Cy Young Award, Chris Sale opened spring training with two perfect innings for the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta lost to the Minnesota Twins 3-1, but the 35-year-old Sale retired all six of his batters, although he did not strike anybody out. Sale is entering his second year with the Braves. The left-hander went 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts last season, winning the National League’s pitching Triple Crown and the Cy Young. He was healthy enough to make 29 starts. That was his most since 2017. Sale threw 21 pitches and 14 strikes Saturday.

Bregman

homers in spring debut for Red Sox

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer as part of a three-hit day in his spring training debut with the Boston Red Sox, launching a drive over the left-field wall in the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. Bregman also had a single in the first inning and a double off the fence in the fourth. The two-time All-Star signed a $120 million, three-year deal with Boston this month after spending the first nine years of his career with the Houston Astros.

Brewers sign Margot to

minor league deal

PHOENIX — Manuel Margot has signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an invitation to major league camp. The move gives the Brewers some more outfield depth as they deal with an injury to Blake Perkins that likely will keep him out until May. Perkins has a fractured shin. The 30-year-old Margot batted .238 with a .289 on-base percentage, four homers, 31 RBIs and five steals in 129 games with the Minnesota Twins last season.