Francoeur takes a hit

A bloody lip is the extent of the damage after Atlanta's Jeff Francoeur was beaned. (JEFF ROBERSON/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Jeff Francoeur still has a plate in his head from a serious beaning in 2004. He walked away with a busted lip this time.

The Atlanta Braves' right fielder was down for a few minutes after being struck by a pitch from Todd Wellemeyer in the second inning of yesterday's 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., but he did not lose consciousness. X-rays taken at a hospital were negative and Francoeur could be back in the lineup in a few days.

Martínez sharp

Pedro Martínez pitched four scoreless innings in his spring training debut as the New York Mets beat Detroit, 7-4, in a split-squad game. Martínez allowed four hits and struck out four . . . Ian Snell and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to three-year contract worth at least $8 million. The 26-year-old righthander went 9-12 last season with a 3.76 ERA in 32 starts . . . Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra will be out of the lineup with a sore right wrist at least until the team's Arizona Cactus League games begin Thursday . . . Yankees first baseman Shelley Duncan and center fielder Melky Cabrera said they will appeal their three-game suspensions for their roles in a spring training fight against the Tampa Bay Rays . . . Former Yankees catcher Jim Leyritz, facing DUI manslaughter charges, visited the team's clubhouse in Tampa before its game with Cleveland . . . If Hideo Nomo succeeds in his comeback attempt with the Royals, it will be as a reliever, not a starter. The 39-year-old was informed of the decision yesterday in a meeting with manager Trey Hillman.