Cano, Almonte homer for battered Yankees, who open spring training with 8-3 win over Braves

Paul Newberry, The Associated Press

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Robinson Cano and Zoilo Almonte homered for the New York Yankees, who opened spring training with an 8-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Cano and Mark Teixeira were about the only big names who made the trip to Disney World with the injury-plagued Yankees. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and Mariano Riviera are all still in rehab mode.

Almonte hit a two-run homer in the third inning off Jordan Walden, while Cano went deep in the fifth. The Braves didn't help their pitchers with three errors and a passed ball.

New York starter David Phelps pitched two scoreless innings.

Evan Gattis hit a two-run homer that landed halfway up the berm in left field and set up Atlanta's other run with a double.