(Via Yankees)
Tampa, FL – Another week has ended in glorious Tampa and Spring Training games have begun. Here are some of the key storylines of the week from Yankees camp.
Injury Report
As I reported throughout the week, there have been a few significant injuries in Yankees camp. According to Manager Aaron Boone, Giancarlo Stanton still has no timetable for return. But the biggest injury came to Chase Hampton who underwent Tommy John Surgery on Friday Morning.
Additionally, Clarke Schmit is back throwing and said that he feels fine, but will judge in the coming days.
Boone Extended:
Thursday morning, the Club announced the extension of Manager Aaron Boone. To read more, see the article I published on Thursday.
Facial Hair Policy:
The day finally came. After 49 years of a strict no facial hair policy, Hal Steinbrenner has come out and changed the rule:
Now look, older fans, like my Dad, hate the rule change. I for one am all for it. As long as the Yankees don’t look like 04′ Johnny Damon, I think they will be fine. Hal Steinbrenner and Aaron Boone both mentioned that it was time the team adapted to the times and that they don’t want to cost free agents based on the facial hair rule. New closer Devin Williams is a key player to point to with the facial hair policy as he noted to reporters that it would have influence on his upcoming free agency. Williams is a piece the Yankees covet, so changing the rule now, while he is not the direct reason, is the right move as he makes the team better. Aaron Judge has also come out and said that he will not grow a beard, but supports the club decision.
02/21: TB@NYY
The Yankees played their first spring training game on Friday. Below is the Lineup, Final Line and Final Score from Friday:
Some notes from the game (for more analysis, follow me on X at @mnethercott_ for some spring training post game shows, and regular season post-series shows):
- Stroman had a 13 pitch first inning, retiring the first two batters, then allowed 2 singles (one hard hit), but got a popup to get out of a jam
- Dominguez worked a leadoff walk, and went first-to-third on a see and eye single
- Goldi had a really hard hit double (only 1 of Rizzo’s balls in 2024 was more hard hit than that double)
- Jazz worked a walk, but the Ray’s decided to challenge the call, and it was upheld. I put the footage below.
- Belli and Jazz combined for a fantastic outfield assist
- Volpe used his speed to force the Rays to try and make a play, ended up reaching on an error
- Volpe also rushed a throw to first, the runner would have been safe regardless, no harm, no foul
- Will Warren looked FANTASTIC. Below is a chart that I saw on X about Will Warrens pitches on Friday. He looked really good, and the metrics agree
- Scott Effross also impressed Friday with a 15 pitch 1-2-3 inning
02/22: NYY@TOR:
The Yankees traveled to Dunedin to take on the Blue Jays. Below is the Lineup, Final Line and Final Score from the game:
Some notes from the game:
- Rodon did not look sharp in his outing, giving up 3 runs and only striking 1 batter out in 2.2 innings.
- ABS Challenge lead to a three-run inning (very cool to see)
- Spencer Jones opposite-field Two-Run home run, Perera Scored
- George Lombard Jr. Base Hit
- Ismael Munguia RBI Triple
- Alexander Vargas Game-Tying Home Run
- Andrew Velazquez looked weak at 3rd base, committing an error that lead to the go-ahead run.
Some Highlights:
02/23: DET@NYY:
The Yankees head back to Tampa to face the Tigers. Below is the Lineup, Final Line and Final Score from the game:
Some notes from the game:
- Boyle had a great outing
- Dominguez continues to struggle defensively in LF, 2 botched plays (he did record an assist on one of them)
- Fernando Cruz came into the game in the 4th inning, gave up 2 doubles (one a botched play), and a 2-Run HR to give the Tigers a 3-Run lead
- Jazz should NOT be the leadoff hitter. He swung at the first pitch in the first inning, not working the count. This is something he has done a lot in his career.
- Peraza made a few nice defensive plays at third base
- Schlittler came in for the 5th inning and allowed some traffic on the bases, but no runs allowed.
- Yankees offense was flat, only getting 5 hits and no runs.
Some Highlights:
So that’s the week from Yankees Camp. For up to the minute coverage, follow @yankeescontent on X, or on Instagram.
