Former Wild Things in spring training

Vidal Nuno pitches Saturday against Baltimore.

Two former Wild Things have been playing with major league teams in spring training.

Pitcher Vidal Nuno, who is the only ex-Wild Thing to play in a major league game, is trying to win the No. 5 starter spot for the New York Yankees. Nuno pitched well (1-2, 2.25) in five games, including three starts, with the Yankees last season before being sent back to Class AAA and suffering a season-ending groin injury. Nuno pitched in the Arizona Fall League and is trying to beat the odds to make the major-league club.

The No. 5 spot in the Yankees' rotation appears to be Michael Pineda's to lose, but Nuno had a strong outing in a start Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. Nuno pitched four shutout innings, allowing only one hit and one walk with three strikeouts. Nuno had a no-hitter through three innings.

"Nuno was terrific," said Yankees coach Rob Thomson. "That's what he does. He works fast, throws strikes, changes speed behind in the count, throws all his pitches for strikes. He's a valuable guy because he can pick up a lot of innings out of the bullpen, he can start, and he can get lefties out. So he’s a versatile guy."

Nuno has pitched in two games against major-league opponents this spring, tossing six innings, allowing three hits, one run and one walk with six strikeouts. His two other outings were against Florida State University and a simulated game.

Quincy Latimore, who spent the second half of last summer as an outfielder for the Wild Things, has appeared in three spring games with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Latimore is 0-for-3 with one stolen base. He was 0-for-1 Sunday against Philadelphia.