Domingo German has a supporter
Several players are not that happy that the New York Yankees have taken Domingo German back with the team after his suspension for domestic violence. Most notably, relief pitcher Zack Britton said, “you can’t choose who your teammates are; I don’t agree with what [German] did. I don’t think it has any place in the game or off the field or at all.†Further details of German’s infraction have been revealed, and several team members are not happy about it. However, there is at least one Yankee that has come out in support of German. Luis Severino.
Severino continues to progress. He threw from 90 feet on flat ground today and will throw from 120 feet tomorrow. He also said he is confident in the Yankee rotation and that he’s 100 percent confident he’ll be his old self when he returns. In support of German, he said yesterday:
“Every time I talk to Domingo, it’s about baseball,†Severino said Monday. “[It’s] about getting better. Every time we have a conversation, it’s about us or him getting better. That’s the only thing I have in mind. Helping the team get to the World Series.â€
Severino and German have been good friends for four years. Severino added he thought German was holding up under the added scrutiny.“I think he’s handling it really well, with all the stuff going on,†Severino said. “I haven’t talked to him about that a lot.â€
Clarke Schmidt first injury of spring training
It hasn’t taken too long for the injury bug to hit the Yankees. Clarke Schmidt had an elbow injury and is expected to be out for three or four weeks. He has what manager Aaron Boone described as a common extensor strain in his right elbow, which means he will be out for the remainder of spring training at the earliest. He will then have to ramp back up, which means the Yankees will likely not be able to use him in live games until some time in late April or early May. The good news is that an MRI shows that his UCL is fine and there is no permanent damage.
Final Yankees report and take physicals
Several New York Yankees reported for duty today in Tampa. In addition several players were already at Steinbrenner Field, among them Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Gleyber Torres, to name a few. Those taking their physicals today and taking their first workouts were Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, Aroldis Chapman, Miguel Andujar, among others. Brett Gardner is taking his physical and ironing out the final details of his contract. He will be joining the team shortly.
Adam Warren hoping for a comeback
During the offseason, the New York Yankees reunited with an old friend, Adam Warren. Although he was signed to a minor league contract, the Yankees hope he can shore up the early relief coming out of the bullpen and ease the strain on Luis Cessa. Warren is hoping for a comeback year with the Yankees. This is his third stint with the Yankees.
Pitchers throw live batting practice
Several pitchers took to the mound at Steinbrenner Field. Gerrit Cole took bullpen today. Cole lacked his normal command, but manager Aaron Boone said that that is natural for his first bullpen. Other pitchers the took to the mound were Kyle Barraclough, Nestor Cortes Jr., who came back to the Yankees in the offseason; Brooks Kriske, Lucas Luetge, Tyler Lyons, another add on, Jordan Montgomery, and Nick Nelson.
First exhibition game on Sunday
With everyone at camp and working out, the New York Yankees will have their first exhibition game on Sunday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Yankees will face the Toronto Blue Jays in a 1:05 pm game. The Yankees have been preparing for this throughout the offseason. There are major changes in the team from last season. Gone is Masahiro Tanaka, who is now pitching in Japan, James Paxton, with his old team, the Seattle Mariners, and J.A. Happ is working out with the Minnesota Twins.
This year the Yankees have Corey Kluber, a two-time Cy Young Award winner and traded from the Pirates; he will be followed in the rotation by Jameson Taillon. The Yankees made a major add-on for the bullpen by adding one of the best relievers in 2020 in Darren O’ Day. The Yankees lineup will look pretty much the same, but with one difference, both Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are both healthy going into spring training.