Thursday, February 21, 2013

New York Yankees Spring Training Notes 2/21


The Yankees and Joe Girardi were playing mind games with us today as they played alternating outfielders during pop fly drills today. Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, and Ichiro Suzuki all saw time at all three outfield positions and alternated position every few pop flies. Long story short we still do not know if Gardner will be our center fielder this season or if it will be Curtis Granderson. When Girardi was asked who would start in center in the Grapefruit League opener to try and get a hint of what is to come Girardi reported that it would be Melky Mesa... so much for that.


Girardi touched on the schedule of players and the World Baseball Classic as well today when talking to reporters. Girardi reported that Robinson Cano would play in six of the first eight Yankees Spring Training games before leaving for the WBC and Mark Teixeira will play in five of the first eight games. Melky Mesa will see some early playing time as he is committed to the Dominican Republic team for the WBC and Francisco Rondon and Gil Velasquez should also get early playing time before leaving camp for the WBC.


Mark Montgomery came through his work out today with no problems or set backs and still is scheduled to throw a bullpen side session tomorrow. Phil Hughes back also is said to be feeling good so the Yankees back injuries seem to be minor and progressing so good news all around.


Girardi announced that Vidal Nuno will start the third game of the spring because the regular starting pitchers
will not see action until March. I figured it would be Nik Turley or Brett Marshall because they have already faced live hitting but Nuno works too.


Dan Johnson, continuing his quest to be this years Eric Chavez, took drills at third base for the third straight day. Speaking of third base Yankees prospect Corban Joseph also worked with Kevin Youkilis at third base today and it seems like it was on bunting drills. Joseph is a second basemen by trade and Dan Johnson is more of a first basemen and designated hitter type.


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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)