More Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/2

We brought you a few spring training news and notes earlier this morning and we have a bunch more to bring you now that we are a little closer to game time. I am excited because due to work, my wife and her need to shop, and all that grownup stuff this will be the first spring game I have been able to watch live and in it's entirety.

Michael Pineda threw another simulated game today to Scott Sizemore and Zoilo Almonte with Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild calling balls and strikes. Pineda got rave reviews from the players who talked of the movement on Pineda's pitches and a velocity that was estimated in the low 90's. Not bad for a guy that is coming off shoulder surgery two years ago.

Pineda will make his spring debut on Friday going three innings. Mark Teixeira is expected to make his spring debut either Thursday or Friday next week. Alfonso Soriano is expected to make his debut early to the middle of next week.

Masahiro Tanka will pitch next on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. CC Sabathia is expected to throw a simulated game that day. Hiroki Kuroda will pitch again on Friday splitting time with Pineda and is expected to throw three innings as well.

Nik Turley has been shut down with arm soreness but is expected to begin throwing again tomorrow, probably just catch. Scott Sizemore slid into bases in the dirt today with no problem which was the last obstacle before being cleared to get into games after a second ACL surgery, good news for a guy fighting for the last bench spot.

David Herndon threw a simulated game today against Zoilo Almonte and Scott Sizemore, breaking one of Sizemore's bat. Herndon threw to Francisco Arcia.

Chad Jennings as always have the assignments from this morning:

Today’s bullpens:
Adam Warren (to Brian McCann)
Preston Claiborne (to Francisco Cervelli)
Brian Gordon (to Roman Rodriguez)
Chase Whitley (to Jose Gil)

· Today’s batting practice groups (in Tampa)
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki
Group 2: Francisco Cervelli, Brett Gardner, Brian McCann
Group 3: Zoilo Almonte, Kelly Johnson, Scott Sizemore

· Today’s second string: C Gary Sanchez, 1B Francisco Arcia, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Yangervis Solarte, 3B Jose Pirela, LF Zelous Wheeler, CF Antoan Richardson, RF Addison Maruszak

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Bryan Mitchell, Shane Greene, Bruce Billings, Fred Lewis, Matt Daley (Dan Burawa, Chris Leroux and Mark Montgomery are also making the trip)