New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins 3/16

Another day and another split squad game for the Yankees so Masahiro Tanaka will be on the mound in the states facing off with the Braves while CC Sabathia will be on the mound against the Miami Marlins in the final game in Panama. The Legend Series has been nothing but successful for the country of Panama, for both teams, and for Mariano Rivera. I am truly honored to be a fan of this team because, Evil Empire moniker and all, the New York Yankees always do the right thing.

The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET locally here on the East Coast and, again, to the best of my knowledge will not be televised anywhere unfortunately. Enjoy the day Yankees fans!

ICYMI: Yankees Add Seven To MLB Spring Camp

In case you missed it yesterday the New York Yankees added seven minor league players to major league camp as insurance in case they are needed. The list includes first basemen Kyle Roller, shortstop Cito Culver, third basemen Zach Wilson, RHP Joel De La Cruz, RHP Charley Short, RHP Graham Stoneburner, and shortstop Dan Fiorito. These men were called up just to fill in for all the split squad games the Yankees are playing lately but it was still cool to see Culver in Panama last night, even if the Yankees got no hit.

New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins 3/15

This will be the second split squad game of the day for the New York Yankees as the Legend Series between the Bronx Bombers and the Miami Marlins get under way down in Panama. These two games were designed to honor the great Yankee and recently retired Mariano Rivera, and no he does not plan to pitch or appear in either of these games. The Yankees have sent an A list set of names down to Panama for this historic event which will begin at 8:05 pm ET locally here in the states. I do not believe, to the best of my knowledge anyway, that this game will be televised anywhere which seems really odd. Adam Warren will be on the mound against the Marlins, enjoy this historic event.

Just as an FYI the Yankees will be playing as the home team so the designated hitter will be in effect for both games down in Panama.

Yankees Finally Finalize Panama Roster

Pitchers
74 Bruce Billings
64 Cesar Cabral
62 Robert Coello
38 Preston Claiborne
40 Matt Daley
57 Chris Leroux
61 Jim Miller
30 David Robertson
52 CC Sabathia
63 Yoshinori Tateyama
43 Adam Warren
83 Chase Whitley

Catchers
29 Francisco Cervelli
80 Jose Gil
66 John Ryan Murphy
82 Gary Sanchez

Infielders
93 Dean Anna
2 Derek Jeter
72 Corban Joseph
86 Jose Pirela
89 Yangervis Solarte
98 Zelous Wheeler

Outfielders
65 Zoilo Almonte
36 Carlos Beltran
95 Adonis Garcia
11 Brett Gardner
73 Antoan Richardson
12 Alfonso Soriano

Cervelli Replaces McCann On Panama Trip

This may or may not put the trade rumors surrounding Francisco Cervelli to bed for a few days as Cervelli will be replacing Yankees catcher Brian McCann on the roster heading down to Panama to honor Mariano Rivera. The reason we were given from manager Joe Girardi was to give more time for McCann to work with Masahiro Tanaka who starts Tuesday and Hiroki Kuroda who will start the game on Wednesday. CC Sabathia and Adam Warren are expected to make the starts in Panama in the short two game series against the Miami Marlins.

It is worth noting that McCann has not caught Tanaka in a game at all this spring and Opening Day is right at two weeks away, so the reasoning makes some sense. Especially when you consider the fact that Cervelli has caught Tanaka twice and the fact that McCann needs to get used to catching Tanaka's splitter and working with him.

While we are on the Panama trip it is worth mentioning that Girardi told us that Derek Jeter would start Game One in Panama at shortstop and would be the team's designated hitter in Game Two. Jeter, Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner, and other prominent players will be unavailable Monday when the Yankees travel to Bradenton, Florida to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates due to the flight and travel, just as another FYI.

Yankees Assign 10 Minor Leaguers To Yankees Camp

The New York Yankees assigned a total of 10 players to the big league club today, presumably to have plenty of players when half the teams heads down to Panama to honor Mariano Rivera. The Yankees added switch pitcher Pat Venditte, LHP Tyler Webb, catcher Wes Wilson, short stop Carmen Angelini,  infielders Ali Castillo, Robert Refsnyder, and Rob Segedin, and outfielders Taylor Dugas, Ben Gamel, and Jake Cave.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/9

Kelly Johnson has a total of 18 innings in his career at first base but will get the start their this afternoon when the Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays in their latest spring training game. Manager Joe Girardi has officially named Johnson the backup first basemen for Mark Teixeira and his surgically repaired wrist.

Adam Warren is throwing a simulated game today getting ready for his start next Saturday down in Panama. Shawn Kelley threw a simulated game to Corban Joseph and Austin Romine.

Tomorrow is a true off day, no workouts or simulated games or anything like that.

Chad Jennings with the assignments as usual:

Today’s bullpen sessions:
Bryan Mitchell (to Roman Rodriguez)
Shane Greene (to Francisco Cervelli)
Jose Campos (to Gary Sanchez)
Vidal Nuno (to Jose Gil)
Jim Miller (to Austin Romine)
Dave Robertson (to Austin Romine)
Matt Thornton (to Francisco Arcia)
Hiroki Kuroda (to Roman Rodriguez)

· Batting practice groups:
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki, Brian McCann
Group 2: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson, Mark Teixiera
Group 3: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler, John Ryan Murphy
Group 4: Adonis Garcia, Ramon Flores, Jose Pirela, Mason Williams, Jose Gil
Group 5: Zoilo Almonte, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez, Antoan Richardson, Scott Sizemore
Group 6: Francisco Arcia, Francisco Cervelli, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez

· Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Russ Canzler, 2B Zelous Wheeler, SS Dean Anna, 3B Jose Pirela, LF Ramon Flores, CF Mason Williams, RF Adonis Garcia, DH Jose Gil

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Dellin Betances, Mark Montgomery, Bruce Billings, Danny Burawa, Matt Daley (with Preston Claiborne, Branden Pinder, Jeremy Bleich and Pat Venditte available if necessary)

· Travel squad for Vierra on Tuesday:
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Danny Burawa, Cesar Cabral, Matt Daley, Brian Gordon, David Herndon, Fred Lewis, Jim Miller, Mark Montgomery, CC Sabathia, Chase Whitley
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Francisco Cervelli, Jose Gil, Brian McCann, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Dean Anna, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Scott Sizemore, Yangervis Solarte, Mark Teixeira, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson, Mason Williams

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/8

Brendan Ryan is being shut down for about a week with a sore oblique, that sucks because those injuries tend to be lingering and a general nuisance. Tests came back clean but manager Joe Girardi plans to keep Ryan out until at least the middle of next week.

Girardi also said that the Yankees probably won't make any cuts until at least after the Panama series, a little later in the spring than usual. The Panama trip ends on March 17 and the Yankees have a bunch of split squad games to Girardi wants plenty of bodies around, makes sense.

Masahiro Tanaka's next appearance will be a simulated game on Tuesday at the Yankees minor league complex.

There will be more later after the game so be sure to check back for that.

Joe Girardi Reveals Part Of Yankees Panama Roster

Joe Girardi has either not decided yet or has been very hush hush on who is coming to Panama for two games with the Miami Marlins to honor Mariano Rivera. A couple names have been leaking every day and we have a little clearer look at who will make the trip to Panama later in the month.

The list of players so far are Derek Jeter, CC Sabathia, Dean Anna, David Robertson, Brett Gardner, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, and Alfonso Soriano.

Lots of star power and that's only a third of the roster, I'm excited.

Yankees Exhibition To Panama Is Now Official

Major League Baseball announced today that the New York Yankees trip for a set of exhibition games in Panama are now official. The two game exhibition against the Miami Marlins will be the first trip for MLB teams in Panama since 1947. The "Legend Series" will be played on March 15th and 16th at Panama City's Rod Carew Stadium and the great Mariano Rivera, a Panama hometown boy and the MLB's all time saves leader, will be honored before the games.

Magic Dreams Productions, Patricia Lynch, and Rivera will be promoters for the event as the Legend Series will also host charitable events away from the field as well. On March 14th a gala representing both teams will be held to benefit the Mariano Rivera Foundation. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the Children's Hospital of Panama City, the largest children's hospital in the country.

Yankees May Play Exhibition Game In Panama

The New York Yankees are considering playing a exhibition game this coming spring with the Panama Baseball team, the home town of Mariano Rivera. This game would obviously be to honor their retiring closer, the greatest closer of all time. The talks between the Yankees, Major League Baseball, the MLB PA, and the Panamanian Government are underway to try and get this off the ground and make it happen.

No news on when it would happen, whether it be after the season or closer to spring training, and whether Mo would be available to pitch or not but it is still a cool idea no matter what. I hope the Yankees and MLB can get this one done to give one last honor to the last to wear #42.