Spring Game 28: Yankees at Tigers
Andy Pettitte gets the ball for a rare road Spring Training start this afternoon as the Yankees roll up to Lakeland, Fla. to take on the Detroit Tigers.
Actually, while Pettitte said it has been at least a few years since he pitched in Tiger Town, starts against big league competition have been scarce for him in recent years. This is just his second of the year, and Pettitte has had bad luck with rain in the past as well — Joe Girardi still laughs about the spring that Pettitte seemed to get all of his work done in the batting cages and sim games.
Here at Steinbrenner Field, Derek Jeter will take ground balls this morning and if everything goes well, he’ll DH in a Minor League game. The Yankees really need Jeter to prove he can play back-to-back days without discomfort before they’ll consider putting him on the big league roster to open the season.
Also, outfielder Brennan Boesch (left rib cage soreness) saw a doctor and got a green light — the Yankees will rest him until Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Girardi.
Here is the Yankees’ lineup:
YANKEES
Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Juan Rivera 1B
Ben Francisco RF
Jayson Nix 2B
Chris Stewart C
Andy Pettitte LHP
Spring Game 27: Yankees at Twins
The Yankees are on the road this afternoon, rolling down for the long bus ride to Fort Myers as they wrap up a two-day home-and-home Grapefruit League series with the Minnesota Twins.
Here in Tampa, there’s also plenty of action, as Phil Hughes is scheduled to pitch in a 1 p.m. Minor League game. It is likely that Hughes will begin the year on the disabled list and miss the first turn through the rotation, but Joe Girardi isn’t ready to put that in stone just yet.
He did say, however, that he believes Clay Rapada will probably start the year on the disabled list. Rapada threw a 15-pitch bullpen today, all fastballs, but needs to be able to pitch three out of four days to help at the big league level. Rapada said he expects to be ready in April and that he is only about a week behind where he should be.
Derek Jeter is also expected to get on the field and take some ground balls this morning, and Travis Hafner is playing in a Minor League game to get some more at-bats. I’ll be staying back in Tampa to cover what happens here; Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) has the coverage from Fort Myers.
Here is the lineup and game information:
NEW YORK YANKEES (10-16) at MINNESOTA TWINS (12-12)
1:05 p.m. - Lee County Sports Complex, Fort Myers, Fla. -
TV: None, Radio: None
RHP Ivan Nova (1-0, 3.21) vs. RHP Vance Worley (0-1, 6.00)
YANKEES
Eduardo Nunez SS
Brennan Boesch RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Juan Rivera 1B
Ben Francisco LF
Chris Stewart C
Thomas Neal DH
Melky Mesa CF
Ronnier Mustelier 3B
Ivan Nova RHP
Nova is scheduled to be followed by LHP Matt Tracy, RHP Jim Miller and RHP Mark Montgomery.
Spring Game 26: Yankees vs. Twins
Robinson Cano returns to the Yankees lineup tonight after his service with the victorious Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic squad, slotting back into his second base position as he resumes preparing for the regular season.
“Hopefully I’ll continue doing the same things I’ve been doing every year,” Cano said. “Just go out there, play hard and help the team to win games. Hopefully the guys that we have help us to just stay in the race until [Curtis] Granderson and [Mark] Teixeira are back.”
Here are the lineups and game information:
NEW YORK YANKEES (10-15) vs. MINNESOTA TWINS (11-12)
7:05 p.m. - George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Fla. -
TV: YES, Radio: None
RHP David Phelps (2-2, 2.37) vs. Liam Hendriks (1-1, 6.00)
TWINS
Aaron Hicks CF
Brian Dozier 2B
Jeff Clement DH
Chris Parmelee 1B
Miguel Sano 3B
Darin Mastroianni RF
Joe Benson LF
Drew Butera C
Pedro Florimon SS
Liam Hendriks RHP
YANKEES
Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Travis Hafner DH
Brennan Boesch RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Jayson Nix 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
RHP David Phelps
Spring Game 23: Yankees at Pirates
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Bradenton, where Ivan Nova will try to continue his solid spring on the mound for the Yankees. Nova entered the spring competing with David Phelps for the fifth starter’s job, and while both have pitched well, Joe Girardi said he’s no closer to a decision — in part because he really doesn’t need to make one, since Phil Hughes’ situation remains so uncertain.
It would figure that Nova and Phelps will both be in the rotation for at least the first turn in the regular season, with Hughes rejoining the starting five the second time through. That’s an idea right now, but obviously so much can change between now and then with Nova, Phelps and Hughes. These things never really seem to work out the way you plan in March. So … stay tuned.
Old friend Russell Martin is in the lineup for the Bucs this afternoon. Martin said he has “no regrets” about the way things worked out with the Yankees, and thinks the Yankees will be OK defensively this year with Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart behind the plate. Girardi said, of course, that neither Cervelli nor Stewart will be expected to match Martin’s power.
Here are the lineups and game information:
NEW YORK YANKEES (8-14) vs. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (9-12)
1:05 p.m. - McKechnie Field, Bradenton, Fla. -
TV: None, Radio: None
RHP Ivan Nova (0-0, 1.00) vs. RHP Phil Irwin (0-0, 2.25)
YANKEES
Eduardo Nunez SS
Brennan Boesch RF
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Juan Rivera 1B
Jayson Nix 2B
Chris Stewart C
Thomas Neal LF
Dan Johnson DH
Melky Mesa CF
Ivan Nova RHP
Nova is scheduled to be followed by David Robertson, Matt Tracy and Mark Montgomery.
PIRATES
Starling Marte LF
Russell Martin C
Andrew McCutchen CF
Pedro Alvarez 3B
Garrett Jones 1B
Gaby Sanchez DH
Travis Snider RF
Josh Harrison 2B
Clint Barmes SS
Phil Irwin RHP
Irwin is scheduled to be followed by Jeff Locke, Kyle Waldrop, Mike Zagurski and Jared Hughes.
Spring Game 20: Yankees vs. Marlins
CC Sabathia has the ball for his first start of the spring this afternoon as the Yankees welcome the Marlins to George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Yankees have moved cautiously with Sabathia, who is coming off surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow, but the ace has hit every checkpoint with no problems and is expected to be ready to make his fifth Opening Day start in pinstripes. Sabathia probably was ready to debut this past Sunday, but the Yankees didn’t want him to face the Blue Jays since they’re a division rival.
Here are the lineups and game information:
NEW YORK YANKEES (7-12) vs. MIAMI MARLINS (7-9)
1:05 p.m. - George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Fla. -
TV: YES Network, Radio: None
LHP CC Sabathia (spring debut) vs. RHP John Maine (1-0, 1.80)
MARLINS
Juan Pierre LF
Donovan Solano 2B
Kevin Kouzmanoff 1B
Austin Kearns RF
Rob Brantly C
Matt Downs DH
Adeiny Hechavarria SS
Nick Green 3B
Gorkys Hernandez CF
John Maine RHP
YANKEES
Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Travis Hafner DH
Juan Rivera RF
Francisco Cervelli C
Ronnier Mustelier 3B
Dan Johnson 1B
Corban Joseph 2B
CC Sabathia LHP
Sabathia is scheduled to be followed by Vidal Nuno, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Josh Spence and Mark Montgomery.
Spring Game 19: Yankees at Blue Jays
Hello from Dunedin, where it’s a beautiful but chilly afternoon at the home of the Toronto Blue Jays — windbreaker weather. The visiting lineup today has a few big names in it, but the person that the Yankees’ coaching staff might be watching closest of all will be on the mound.
Jose Ramirez didn’t come into camp with a whole lot of fanfare, but the 23-year-old has impressed many – including, and this is no small accomplishment, Mariano Rivera – with his poise, command and a fastball-changeup combination that have looked very polished for a prospect who hasn’t pitched above Class-A ball.
“I hadn’t heard a whole lot about him necessarily,” manager Joe Girardi said this morning. “I heard he had a good arm. I been pleasantly surprised by what I’ve seen. I go back to that first day he threw live BP and the amount of strikes he threw. I was like, ‘Wow, look at this.’ He threw more strikes than anybody. That really caught my eye. and I saw the swings the hitters were taking, and they were late. … Interesting.”
UPDATED: Yikes. That didn’t work out so well. Ramirez’s line — 0.1 IP, 2 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 K. Adam Warren didn’t fare any better; 1.1 IP, 4 H, 8 ER, 5 BB, 2 K. Kevin Youkilis hit a first-inning homer; too bad the Blue Jays answered with 16 runs.
Here are the lineups and game information:
NEW YORK YANKEES (7-11) at TORONTO BLUE JAYS (7-10)
1:05 p.m. - Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, Dunedin, Fla. -
TV: None, Radio: None
RHP Jose Ramirez (1-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Josh Johnson (1-0, 1.17)
YANKEES
Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Travis Hafner DH
Ben Francisco LF
Jayson Nix 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
Thomas Neal RF
Corban Joseph 2B
Jose Ramirez RHP
Ramirez is scheduled to be followed by Adam Warren, Branden Pinder and Preston Claiborne.
BLUE JAYS
Maicer Izturis 2B
Colby Rasmus CF
Melky Cabrera DH
Jose Bautista RF
Adam Lind 1B
Mark DeRosa 3B
Ryan Langerhans LF
Henry Blanco C
Mike McCoy SS
Josh Johnson RHP
Johnson is scheduled to be followed by Esmil Rogers, Brett Cecil, Tommy Hottovy and Alex Hinshaw.
Spring Game 18: Yankees vs. Phillies
Hello from Tampa, where it’s shaping up as an eventful evening at The Boss. Derek Jeter will return to his position at shortstop for the first time since his left ankle injury in the American League Championship Series, in what manager Joe Girardi calls “a big step” toward proving he’ll be ready for the Opening Day lineup.
Girardi said that he believes Jeter is set for this, and “not at all” holding his breath about what he will see tonight. The Yankees will also get their first look of the spring at Andy Pettitte in a game situation, while Mariano Rivera picks up his second Grapefruit League inning and Ben Francisco makes his Yanks debut after signing with New York on Monday.
So, as we said, eventful evening under the lights. Here are the lineups and game information:
NEW YORK YANKEES (6-11) vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (7-9)
1:05 p.m. - George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Fla. -
TV: YES Network, Radio: WCBS 880 AM
LHP Andy Pettitte (spring debut) vs. LHP Cliff Lee (0-0, 5.19)
PHILLIES
Ben Revere CF
Kevin Frandsen DH
Chase Utley 2B
John Mayberry 1B
Domonic Brown RF
Darin Ruf LF
Josh Fields 3B
Freddy Galvis SS
Humberto Quintero C
Cliff Lee LHP
YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Juan Rivera 1B
Ben Francisco RF
Matt Diaz DH
Chris Stewart C
Melky Mesa CF
Gil Velazquez 2B
Andy Pettitte LHP
Pettitte is scheduled to be followed by Cody Eppley, David Aardsma and Mariano Rivera.
Spring Game 17: Yankees at Rays
Hello from Port Charlotte, where the skies have cleared up after a rainy morning in Florida and it looks like we’ll have baseball this afternoon. The Yankees have sent a bare-bones lineup on the long bus trip, but it’ll be worth the drive just to take another good look at Ivan Nova.
After last year’s lackluster finish to the season, Nova has made some key adjustments and manager Joe Girardi believes the right-hander has improved the downhill plane of his fastball and sharpened his command. David Phelps has had a very impressive spring, but Nova hasn’t allowed him to widen the competition gap very much.
Here are the lineups and game information:
NEW YORK YANKEES (5-11) at TAMPA BAY RAYS (11-6)
1:05 p.m. - Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, Fla. -
TV: None, Radio: None
RHP Ivan Nova (0-0, 1.80) vs. RHP Alex Cobb (0-0, 2.00)
YANKEES
Eduardo Nunez SS
Jayson Nix 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Juan Rivera 1B
Francisco Cervelli C
Melky Mesa CF
Thomas Neal LF
Zoilo Almonte RF
Corban Joseph 2B
Ivan Nova RHP
Nova is scheduled to be followed by Brett Marshall, Matt Tracy and Josh Spence.
RAYS
Desmond Jennings CF
Mike Fontenot 2B
Kelly Johnson 1B
Leslie Anderson DH
Ryan Roberts 3B
Sean Rodriguez LF
Wil Myers RF
Chris Gimenez C
Hak-Ju Lee SS
Alex Cobb RHP
Cobb is scheduled to be followed by Brandon Gomes, J.D. Martin and Dane De La Rosa.
Spring Game 16: Yankees vs. Cardinals
The Yankees already know Ronnier Mustelier has a live bat, and now they’re going to give him a chance to show what he can do in the field as he gets the start this afternoon at third base against the Cardinals here in Tampa.
I’ve talked to a few people this spring about Mustelier’s defense, and for the most part, the reaction has been tepid. One person said that he might not kill a team in the field, but he’s really more of a hitter without a position. Of course, desperate times call for desperate measures, so the Yankees will bump Kevin Youkilis to first base for the day and take a look at Mustelier at the hot corner.
A third baseman in Cuba who transitioned to play the outfield when he signed with the Yankees, Mustelier said he wants to change the perception of his defense, and now he has a chance.
“All these people are saying that I have no position on the team, it’s not true,” Mustelier said earlier this spring. “I can play the field, I can do a job, I can play the outfield, I can play the infield. If anyone is saying that I have no position on this team, it’s not true.”
NEW YORK YANKEES (4-11) vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (8-6-1)
1:05 p.m. - George M. Steinbrenner Field – Tampa, Fla.
TV: YES/ESPN Radio: None
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (0-1, 5.40) vs. RHP Lance Lynn (1-1, 8.31)
CARDINALS
Jon Jay CF
Matt Carpenter 2B
David Freese 3B
Matt Adams DH
Shane Robinson LF
Jamie Romak 1B
Pete Kozma SS
Justin Christian RF
J.R. Towles C
Lance Lynn RHP
Lynn is scheduled to be followed by former Yankee Randy Choate, Seth Maness, Maikel Cleto, Michael Blazek, Eric Fornataro and Jorge Rondon.
YANKEES
Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Chris Stewart C
Corban Joseph 2B
Ronnier Mustelier 3B
Slade Heathcott CF
Hiroki Kuroda RHP
Kuroda is scheduled to be followed by Shawn Kelley, Cody Eppley, Clay Rapada, Joba Chamberlain, Jim Miller, Francisco Rondon, Vidal Nuno and David Robertson.
Spring Game 12: Yankees vs. Dominican Republic
Robinson Cano playing against the Yankees? It’s the nightmare scenario for all those who hope to see Cano locked up with a massive contract extension before he hits free agency, but today it’s all in good fun. The Yankees and the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic squad meet this afternoon in New York’s 12th exhibition game of the spring.
NEW YORK YANKEES (3-8) vs. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (1-0)
1:05 p.m. – George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Fla. – TV: YES, Radio: None
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. LHP Vidal Nuno (0-1, 1.80)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (1-0)
Jose Reyes DH
Erick Aybar SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Edwin Encarnacion 1B
Hanley Ramirez 3B
Nelson Cruz RF
Carlos Santana C
Ricardo Nanita LF
Alejandro De Aza CF
Vidal Nuno LHP
YANKEES (3-8)
Eduardo Nunz SS
Jayson Nix 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Juan Rivera RF
Francisco Cervelli C
Matt Diaz LF
Melky Mesa CF
Luke Murton 1B
Hiroki Kuroda RHP
Kuroda is scheduled to be followed by Clay Rapada, Brett Marshall, Cody Eppley and Tom Kahnle.
Bryan Hoch
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