Yanks' Farquhar returns to the mound

Danny Farquhar took the mound in a game again. That was more than enough on Saturday.

Farquhar's spring training appearance for the New York Yankees was his first game since the 32-year-old reliever collapsed in the Chicago White Sox dugout on April 20 because of a ruptured aneurysm and brain hemorrhage. The right-hander got one out and was charged with five runs in an 8-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Bradenton, Fla.

"I felt great out there," Farquhar said. "I was happy to be back on the mound. Obviously, the results weren't great but I call it a good day. I felt like a baseball player, again."

Farquhar allowed three hits and walked two while throwing 19 pitches in the fourth inning. He is in camp with the Yankees on a minor league deal.

"The fact that he's on the mound and gotten to this point is pretty awesome," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I found myself a little more emotional than I even thought. Even though it didn't go great, I think he really appreciated how special it was for him to be back out on a mound."

Farquhar's teammates moved to the top step of the third base dugout and clapped as he walked off the mound with his glove held in his right hand.

"I've never been high-fived so much giving up five runs in my career," Farquhar said.

Farquhar's wife, Lexie, and children Madison (7), Landon (3) and Liam (1) were among a dozen family members and friends at the game. Madison could be heard yelling "Daddy" from the stands.

"I heard them from the beginning," Farquhar said. "My mom, my daughter. They were screaming."

Corey Dickerson had a triple and a double, driving in two runs for Pittsburgh. Top prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes doubled and walked, scoring two runs. Jordan Lyles struggled in his second start for the Pirates, allowing three runs, seven hits and two walks in three innings.

Estevan Florial, New York's top prospect, had two doubles, driving in a run and scoring another. Miguel Andujar had an RBI double and singled.

Astros 8, Mets 7

Noah Syndergaard struggled with his control in a matchup against Justin Verlander. The Mets star walked five in 2 2/3 innings but allowed no hits and just an unearned run. Verlander gave up two hits and one run — Michael Conforto's solo homer — and struck out four over three innings.

Wilson Ramos' first home run as a Met was a two-out grand slam after Robinson Cano reached base on an error to extend the fifth inning. Ramos added two singles. Edwin Diaz, the Mets new closer, made his first appearance, walking two and striking out one in a scoreless inning.

Michael Brantley had an RBI single for Houston. George Springer stole two bases and Jose Altuve one off Syndergaard in the third. Syndergaard walked Alex Bregman to load the bases with two outs but escaped unscathed when he struck out Brantley looking.

Orioles 9, Red Sox 1

Rotation hopeful Mike Wright Jr. started for the second time and pitched three shutout innings. Slugging prospect DJ Stewart had a double and two RBIs, and Ryan Mountcastle had two hits.

Xander Bogaerts hit his first spring home run to account for Boston's run.

Tommy John surgery for Royals' Perez?

The Kansas City Royals insist no decision has been made on whether All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will require Tommy John surgery.

Perez damaged the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during a workout Wednesday, and the club announced the injury after preliminary tests came back Friday. But a course of treatment will not be decided until Perez gets a second opinion from Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache next week.

Perez was upbeat in the clubhouse early Saturday, bouncing around and joking with teammates. But he couldn't mask his concern when asked about the possibility of surgery, which would sideline him for the entire season and end his streak of six consecutive All-Star selections.

The Royals are poised to move on with Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria on their 40-man roster.