UPDATE: Talks still ongoing between the Indians and Johnny Damon

By Drew SilvaApr 12, 2012, 9:12 AM EDT
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UPDATE: There’s no deal yet.  This morning Jim Bowden says that the sides are still talking, and Ken Rosenthal — who had the original report — notes the same thing, though adds that he believes a deal will be done shortly.

12:06 AM:  From Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal comes this rather surprising late-night free agent signing:

It’s not clear what kind of deal Damon is getting or how much it will be worth. The 38-year-old struggled mightily to attract interest on the open market this winter because of his lack of defensive versatility (or, rather, ability), but he batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 150 games last year for the Rays and could be a useful member of the Cleveland bench this season.

Let’s just hope the Indians aren’t considering entrusting Damon with starting left field duties.

Bryce Harper finally gets his first spring training hit with Phillies

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
By Bill BaerMar 20, 2019, 7:39 PM EDT
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Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper hasn’t had the best spring training showing. After a delayed start because he didn’t officially sign until early this month, Harper made his Phillies debut on March 9. Then Harper had an injury scare when he was hit in the ankle by a pitch on March 15. Harper returned on Sunday and finally registered his first hit of the spring on Wednesday — a line drive up the middle.

Harper finished 1-for-2 with a walk on the afternoon. In 10 official at-bats, Harper is batting .100/.438/.100. As you can see, five total walks are helping that on-base percentage. Spring stats are largely meaningless, though, so no one should be worried about Harper with the start of the regular season just a week away.