(Via Yankees)
Tampa, FL – Week 1 of Yankees Spring Training has concluded. Below are some of the biggest storylines from the week.
Pitchers and Catchers Report:
While all the pitchers and catchers all passed their physicals, its important to note that Clayton Beeter sustained a shoulder strain and is throwing on the side and Jake Cousins has a elbow strain and might not be ready for opening day.
Backup Catcher:
Ben Rice will be in competition for the backup catcher, though the Yankees still like his defensive versatility and that he can play a solid first base if Paul Goldschmidt gets injured. J.C. Escarra and Alex Jackson are also in competition for the position.
Marcus Stroman:
As of the time of this article, Marcus Stroman is still a New York Yankee. Manager Aaron Boone said that he spoke to Stroman and said that he is in a good mental place and the Yankees will get him ready to pitch at the big league level. After all of this, Stroman was not in attendance at Yankees Camp.
On Friday morning, Stroman did appear at Yankees Camp. Below are the quotes from both him and Manager Aaron Boone on the current situation (click on “show more” for the full comments):
3rd Base Competition:
The Yankees have stated that DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, Jorbit Vivas and Oswaldo Cabrera will all have a chance to win the job out of spring training. When Boone was asked about LeMahieu’s health, Boone had this to say:
“DJ is healthy, which is really been the issue for him over the last couple of years. He’s had those things that have popped up, that have really zapped his greatness. I’m not going to put anything past a healthy DJ LeMahieu and his ability to hit.” -Aaron Boone
Bryan Cashman meets the Media
On Friday afternoon, Brian Cashman met the media. Here are some of the highlights:
- The Yankees are actively working on an extension with Manager Aaron Boone. The expectation is for the extension to be completed before the conclusion of Spring Training.
- Noted that the Yankees defense has improved since 2024 and acknowledged the defensive woes throughout 2024.
- Noted that their would be a number of different people competing for the 3rd base position in Spring Training
- Had no problems with Stroman, noting that it was “classic stro”. Agreed that Stroman is a starting pitcher, though there is no current lane for him
- Cashman had no new injuries to report aside from Cousins and Beeter (though position players will take physicals Sunday and not all of them have arrived yet).
- Didn’t ask specifically about Arraez (execs typically won’t comment publicly on players under contract with other teams), but given how much of an emphasis Cash put on improving Yanks’ defense this year, doesn’t seem like a fit.
- Dominguez will have this spring as a runway to earn the LF job, which the Yankees are hoping he does. Won’t just be handed to him though.
- Confirmed that Rice will have a shot in the backup catcher competition but they also want to get him reps at 1B to keep that versatility because they believe in the bat.
For more quotes, visit @snyyankees on X.
Saturday Updates:
The Yankees continued Live BP (with a rather large strike zone from Umpire Boone), and bullpen programs. Max Fried looked sharp in his live BP session. Stuck out Austin Wells twice, both looking at curveballs. Fried said he just wanted to come out of it healthy, which he did. Yerry De Los Santos threw live batting practice and has been on the Yankees’ radar since last year at Triple-A. After being added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, he could play a key role in the bullpen this year.
Position Players Report
On Sunday, the Position Players reported to Spring Training. When Boone addressed the media, he noted that Giancarlo Stanton has been dealing with tennis elbow in both elbows dating back to the second half of the 2024 season. The Yankees plan to play him slow throughout spring training. Boone noted that he does not know if Stanton will be ready for opening day. Boone also noted that Trent Grisham is a little behind due to a hamstring issue during the offseason. Grisham has resumed baseball activities.
Boone also mentioned that he spoke to Aaron Judge about his position in the lineup. Boone was leaning second but mentioned that Judge liked hitting third. Boone noted that
“A lot determines on who’s hitting in that leadoff spot and who’s in that two or three spot.”
Boone said that he has some people in mind for the leadoff spot, including Cody Bellinger.
Well, it’s safe to say that Yankees Baseball is back. While I think this team will be really good, its also important to note that especially now with substantial injuries, specifically Stanton’s, that the Yankees are in need of another bad and can’t rely only on in-house options to be successful in 2024.
