Jeter gets key to city on final Spring Training day

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/29/2014 4:31 P.M. ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- The stadium was called Legends Field back in the spring of 1996, having just opened its gates to the public, and it was where a 21-year-old Derek Jeter celebrated that he was going north as the Yankees' Opening Day shortstop.

Nearly two decades later, Jeter stood outside those same clubhouse doors, leaving the facility -- now referred to as George M. Steinbrenner Field -- for the final time as an active player. The captain has played his last Spring Training game.

"It hasn't really set in," Jeter said. "It's odd to think that I won't be back. I've been coming here since '96; the first year it opened was my first year. It will be a little different; it will probably be a little more different next year when Spring Training starts. Right now, I'm just looking forward to getting to Houston."

Jeter was honored prior to what would have been his final spring game on Saturday, as he was presented with a key to the city of Tampa. The game was cancelled due to rain moments after the presentation.

"I live here, so now I can do whatever I want when I'm in Tampa," Jeter said with a smile. "I don't know how long it unlocks the doors for. It always feels good to be recognized. I spend a lot of time here, I live here in the offseason, so I thought it was very nice."

Jeter, 39, concluded his final spring with the Yankees batting .137 (7-for-51), with a double and two RBIs. He said that it took him longer than expected to regain his timing after missing most of last year due to injuries, but the veteran said that he feels prepared to begin the season as the Yanks' everyday shortstop.

"I feel good. That was the most important thing," Jeter said. "Spring Training is a progression, both physically and being game-ready. I feel I'm where I want to be right now."

Jeter said that he doesn't remember much about that spring of '96, except for that the facility was brand new. He has also recalled how Steinbrenner was unsure about going into the season with an unproven shortstop.

As the story goes, the Mariners offered journeyman infielder Felix Fermin to the Yankees, seeking pitchers Mariano Rivera or Bob Wickman in return -- a deal would have changed the course of franchise history. It was never especially close to happening, as the front office and manager Joe Torre went to bat for Jeter.

In recent seasons, Jeter has acknowledged trying to fast-forward the clock to Opening Day. He hopes that he was able to slow things down a little bit in his final run through the Grapefruit League.

"I just tried to not look forward to the end of it," Jeter said. "Most people look forward to the end of spring about two weeks into it, but I just tried to take it in, day in and day out. That's what I'll remember."

Solarte makes team; Yankees option Nunez

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yangervis Solarte found a seat inside his clubhouse locker and pointed to the goosebumps running up and down his arms. The infielder was just told that he had made the Yankees' Opening Day roster, and he still was in a state of disbelief.

"This is a dream come true, outside of having my family and my children," Solarte said through an interpreter. "This is a new beginning. I have great happiness. Now I have to work hard. This is when the work actually starts."

Solarte, 26, beat out Eduardo Nunez for the final backup infield spot on the roster, with Nunez optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

A non-roster invitee, Solarte was a standout this spring, batting .429 (18-for-42) with two homers and nine RBIs, leading the club in hits and tied for the lead in RBIs. He said that he did not know what to think coming into the final day of the spring.

"I basically was just focused on how happy I was with everything, the way that I performed this Spring Training and being here," Solarte said. "Every day I kept moving forward, so I just stayed positive."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that it had been a difficult decision, but the switch-hitting Solarte has more career experience playing second and third base, which gave him an advantage.

"We thought he won the spot in Spring Training," Girardi said. "I thought defensively he played well. I thought he gave you good at-bats every time he went up there, whether it was from the left side or the right side."

Nunez left the clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field without speaking to reporters. Girardi said that Nunez was "very disappointed and upset" by the decision, and that it had been "extremely difficult" to tell Nunez he had not made the team.

"We all love Nuney," Girardi said. "There's something about his character and who he is that just makes him a guy that everyone roots for and wants to see him do well and have a great career. But it's difficult. The past two days have been really difficult on me."

With Brendan Ryan beginning the year on the disabled list, Girardi said that he envisions using Dean Anna as the primary backup to shortstop Derek Jeter, while using Solarte more at second and third base.

The Yankees need to make a 40-man roster move before Tuesday to accommodate Solarte; that decision has not yet been announced.

Tanaka wins award for top Yankees rookie

TAMPA, Fla. -- As Masahiro Tanaka wraps up his first big league Spring Training camp and prepares to head into the regular season, the Yankees right-hander has already tucked one award under his belt.

The Yankees announced Saturday that Tanaka was the recipient of the 2014 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the outstanding Yankees rookie in Spring Training. Tanaka received the award in a ceremony before Saturday's game against the Marlins was cancelled due to rain.

Tanaka, 25, went 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in five appearances (three starts) this spring, allowing five earned runs in 21 innings. He led the team with 26 strikeouts while walking only three batters, permitting 15 hits.

"I do feel that I learned a lot throughout Spring Training," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I think the important thing for me is not to stop here and keep learning as the season progresses."

Tanaka completed his spring by hurling six innings of three-hit ball with no walks and 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 Yankees victory over the Marlins on Friday. He is scheduled to make his Major League debut on April 4 against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

The award was established in honor of James P. Dawson (1896-1953), who began a 45-year career with The New York Times as a copy boy in 1908. Eight years later, he became boxing editor and covered boxing and baseball until his death during Spring Training in 1953.

The Yankees' beat writers vote on the award; Yangervis Solarte, who hit .429 this spring to win a roster spot, was the runner-up. In conjunction with the award, Tanaka will receive a watch from Betteridge Jewelers.

Bombers bits

• Girardi said that there is "a pretty good chance" that Saturday's washed-out batting order is the one he'll use against the Astros on April 1. That lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeter, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira, Alfonso Soriano, Brett Gardner, Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson.

Girardi said that in hitting Gardner seventh, "He's a guy that we feel we could hit anywhere in the top or anywhere down to give some speed. He had a pretty good year offensively last year, and that's where we decided to put him."

• Most of the Yankees' roster left for Houston after Saturday's game was cancelled; ace CC Sabathia planned to attend Saturday's NBA matchup between the Rockets and Clippers. Some remained behind, including Girardi, who will watch Michael Pineda's 10 a.m. ET Minor League game on Sunday before flying to Houston. The Yankees have a 3 p.m. ET workout on Monday at Minute Maid Park to prepare for Tuesday's season opener.

• Ryan (pinched nerve in upper back) said that he would be "pretty disappointed" if he is unable to play in the big leagues before May 1. Ryan is staying back in Tampa to continue rehabbing, and he said that he will resume swinging a bat underwater on Monday. He expects to be given about 50 at-bats in Minor League and simulated games before joining the big league club.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

All eyes on Jeter as Yankees open in Houston

MLB.COM BINGO

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING A PRIZE WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BINGO CARDS ISSUED AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VALID POTENTIAL WINNING BINGO CARDS CLAIMED FOR EACH APPLICABLE POSTSEASON GAME. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ALL DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION AND ENTRANTS WAIVE THE ABILITY TO BRING CLAIMS IN A CLASS ACTION FORMAT.

ELIGIBILITY:  MLB.com Bingo (the "Promotion") is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and Washington, D.C. who are eighteen (18) years of age or older (except in the case of legal residents of certain states where the legal age of majority is greater than eighteen (18) years of age, such legal age of majority) at the time of entry. Employees, officers, and directors (including immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and members of the same household, whether or not related) of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. ("Sponsor"), the other MLB Entities and each of their respective parents, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, licensees, distributors, dealers, retailers, printers, advertising and promotion agencies, and any and all other companies associated with the Promotion are not eligible to participate or win a Prize (defined below). The "MLB Entities" shall mean Sponsor, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball ("BOC"), its Bureaus, Committees, Subcommittees and Councils, Major League Baseball Enterprises, Inc., Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., the Major League Baseball Clubs ("Clubs"), each of their parent, subsidiary, affiliated and related entities, any entity which, now or in the future, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Clubs or the BOC and the owners, general and limited partners, shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents of the foregoing entities. The Promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Void where prohibited or restricted by law, rule or regulation.

PROMOTION PERIOD: The Promotion period (the "Promotion Period") begins at 11:00 AM Eastern Time ("ET") on October 5, 2012 and ends upon completion of the final out of the 2012 MLB World Series Championship.

HOW TO ENTER: During the Promotion Period, you may enter the Promotion by clicking on the banners, buttons and/or links within MLB.com Gameday (a free application) and following the instructions provided to register for the Promotion. If you are not already a member of MLB.com, you must become one before you can register to participate in the Contest (membership is free). There is only one (1) way to participate in the Promotion: online. No other method of entry or participation will be accepted. Additional entries beyond the specified limit will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means will be void. All information submitted online by entrants is subject to, and will be treated in a manner consistent with, MLB.com's Terms of Use accessible at: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb_com/terms_of_use.jsp and Privacy Policy accessible at: www.mlb.com/privacy.  All online entries must include a valid e-mail address for the entrant.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:  Upon successful registration, follow the instructions provided to receive one (1) virtual bingo card (the "Bingo Card") for each game of the 2012 MLB Postseason played during the Promotion Period (each, a "Postseason Game"). In addition, during the Promotion Period, participants may utilize sharing functionality available via the Promotion upon completion of a successful Contest (the "Sharing Functionality") to receive two (2) additional Bingo Cards. For each eligible individual any entrant notifies or makes aware of the Promotion who clicks on a valid link made available via the Sharing Functionality identifiable as having come from the entrant, such entrant shall receive two (2) additional Bingo Cards (for a total of three (3) Bingo Cards). No additional Bingo Cards will be received other than through verified Sharing Functionality. There is a limit of three (3) Bingo Cards per person and per e-mail address per Postseason Game. Each Bingo Card shall include a 5x5 grid that includes twenty-five (25) tiles (each, a "Tile"). Each Tile will include one (1) randomly selected game outcome for the active Postseason Game. For example, a participant could have a "Josh Hamilton Double" Tile on their Bingo Card which would be automatically marked in the event Josh Hamilton hits a double during a Postseason Game. Any eligible participant who receives a Bingo Card that becomes marked with five (5) Tiles in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row (each, a "Potential Winning Bingo Card") may be a potential Prize winner, subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these Official Rules. (See the Prize Claim Section below for more information.) For purposes of this Promotion, MLB game outcomes will not be updated to reflect any official MLB statistics changes or corrections that may occur after the completion of any Postseason Game. Once each Postseason Game is final following completion of the final out of that game, it will be final for purposes of this Promotion. In the event any Postseason Game is cancelled, postponed or suspended, all Bingo Cards will be void for that game and Sponsor reserves the right to award the applicable Prizes by way of random drawing from among all eligible participants as of the time of such cancellation, postponement or suspension.

PRIZE CLAIMS: In the event you receive a message within MLB.com Gameday notifying you that you have a Potential Winning Bingo Card, you must claim your Potential Winning Bingo Card by following the onscreen instructions provided by no later than ten (10) minutes following the end of the applicable Postseason Game to be eligible for the Drawing (defined below). Failure to claim your Potential Winning Bingo Card within ten (10) minutes following the end of the applicable Postseason Game will render the Potential Winning Bingo Card void and result in Prize forfeiture.

ALL POTENTIAL WINNING BINGO CARDS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING. AN ENTRANT IS NOT A WINNER OF ANY PRIZE, EVEN IF THE PROMOTION SHOULD SO INDICATE, UNLESS AND UNTIL ENTRANT'S ELIGIBILITY, THE POTENTIAL WINNING BINGO CARD AND ENTRANT'S COMPLIANCE WITH THESE OFFICIAL RULES HAVE BEEN VERIFIED BY SPONSOR AND ENTRANT HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT SUCH VERIFICATION IS COMPLETE. SPONSOR WILL NOT ACCEPT SCREEN SHOTS OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF WINNING IN LIEU OF ITS VALIDATION PROCESS.

RANDOM DRAWINGS: Approximately thirty (30) minutes following the final out of each Postseason Game, five (5) potential winners will be selected by random drawing from among all eligible participants who claim valid Potential Winning Bingo Cards for that Postseason Game in accordance with these Official Rules (the "Drawing"). Subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these Official Rules, the potential winners will be declared official winners of the Sweepstakes (each, a "Winner" and collectively, the "Winners"). Odds of winning a Prize will depend on the total number of Bingo Cards issued and the total number of valid Potential Winning Bingo Cards claimed for each applicable Postseason Game. Limit one (1) Prize per person, per family and per household.

PRIZES:  A maximum of two hundred fifteen (215) prizes (each, a "Prize" and collectively, the "Prizes") will be awarded (i.e. five (5) Prizes per each Postseason Game with a maximum of forty-three (43) Postseason Games), as follows:

For up to twenty-two (22) Postseason Games during the 2012 Wild Card Games and the 2012 Division Series, each Winner will receive one (1) Postseason.TV subscription for the remainder of the 2012 MLB Postseason. Approximate retail value ("ARV") of each such Prize: $4.99.

For up to twenty-one (21) Postseason Games during the 2012 League Championship Series and the 2012 MLB World Series Championship, each Winner will receive one (1) MLB.TV Offseason Package subscription. ARV of each such Prize: $24.99.

Total ARV of all Prizes: $3172.85.

For the avoidance of doubt, no Prizes will be awarded in connection with any 2012 MLB Postseason game that is not played because it is not necessary.

PRIZE CONDITIONS: All Prize details to be determined in the sole discretion of Sponsor. Each Winner is fully responsible for any and all applicable federal, state and local taxes (including income and withholding taxes). Postseason.TV subscriptions are subject to blackout and other restrictions - see www.postseason.tv for complete details. All costs and expenses associated with the Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided including, but not limited to, any and all expenses incurred by accepting the Prize are the sole responsibility of the Winners. The Prizes are non-transferable and non-assignable, with no cash redemptions except at Sponsor's sole and absolute discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any Prize (or any portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value at its sole and absolute discretion.

NOTIFICATION:  Each potential winner will be notified at the e-mail address, postal address and/or telephone number (in the sole discretion of Sponsor) provided at the time of entry (the "Prize Notification"). In the event that any potential winner does not respond to any such Prize Notification within three (3) days of the date of issuance or declines the Prize for any reason, a disqualification will result, the Prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor's sole discretion and time permitting, an alternate potential winner may be randomly selected from among all remaining eligible entries. Each potential winner may be required to submit his/her valid social security number and/or other identification to Sponsor and may be required to execute, have notarized and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Release of Liability and, unless prohibited by law, Publicity, within five (5) days of date of issuance. Failure to submit any identification required by Sponsor or to return the required documents within the specified time period, noncompliance with these Official Rules or the return of the Prize (or any portion thereof) or Prize Notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and Prize forfeiture and, at Sponsor's sole discretion and time permitting, may cause an alternate potential winner to be randomly selected from among all remaining eligible entries.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY/PUBLICITY RELEASE:  By participating in the Promotion and submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to (i) be bound by these Official Rules, including all entry requirements, and (ii) waive any and all claims against Sponsor, the other MLB Entities, Facebook, Apple, Inc. and each of their respective parents, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensees, distributors, dealers, retailers, printers, representatives and advertising and promotion agencies, and any and all other companies associated with the Promotion, and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, "Released Parties") for any injury, damage or loss that may occur, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from the participation in the Promotion or from the receipt or use of any Prize (or any portion thereof) or any travel or activity related to the receipt or use of any Prize (or any portion thereof). By entering this Promotion, each entrant gives his/her express permission to be contacted by Sponsor by telephone, e-mail and/or postal mail for Promotion purposes. Each Winner, by acceptance of the Prize, grants to Sponsor and each of its designees the right to publicize such Winner's name, address (city and state of residence), photograph, voice, statements and/or other likeness and prize information for advertising, promotional, trade and/or any other purpose in any media or format now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world, in perpetuity, without limitation and without further compensation, consideration, permission or notification, unless prohibited by law.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:  All decisions of Sponsor, including the determination of winners, are final and binding on all matters relating to this Promotion. Released Parties are not responsible for stolen, late, incomplete, illegible, inaccurate, misdirected, lost, misrouted, scrambled, damaged, delayed, undelivered, mutilated or garbled entries, transmissions, e-mail or mail; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, cable, satellite, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), wireless network, website, or other connections including those through and/or by any website, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cable or wireless transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; any error, omission, interruption, defect or delay in transmission, processing, or communication; non-delivery; misdirected, blocked, or delayed e-mail notifications; printing, typographical or other errors appearing within these Official Rules, in any Promotion-related advertisements or other materials; or any other errors, problems or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, network, computer, telephone, mail, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Promotion, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Promotion, the processing of entries, the announcement of the Prize or in any Promotion-related materials, or the cancellation or postponement of any Major League Baseball game, event or exhibition. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants' or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in this Promotion or download

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tanaka has made transition seem effortless

TAMPA, Fla. -- Masahiro Tanaka was deep into his sharpest outing of the spring, racking up a 10-strikeout performance against the Marlins on Friday, and yet his demeanor nodded to the relaxing pitch of a recent beer advertising campaign.

Parked on a folding chair in the middle of the Yankees' clubhouse, Tanaka rested between innings, a towel laid out beneath his feet. A cooler of cold drinks was within reach, and one observer joked that -- here in the middle of a George M. Steinbrenner Field carpet -- Tanaka might have found his beach.

"Everybody was doing it that way, so I was kind of manipulating it and doing it as well," Tanaka said through an interpreter.

It has been a whirlwind two months of adjustment for Tanaka, jetting to the United States after signing a seven-year, $155 million contract, then compiling a 2.14 ERA in five Spring Training appearances for his new team. What pleases the Yankees most is how effortless the transition appears to have been.

Tanaka's split-fingered fastball -- rated as world-class by scouts who attended his starts in Japan -- has lived up to expectations, and his fastball and slider have proven to be serviceable weapons. The gauntlet ahead will present new challenges, but the Yanks are optimistic that Tanaka will continue to succeed.

"He's just made it seem like it's almost more of an issue for us," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "It's different for him -- 162 games in 183 days and a five-man rotation and all that, but those are adjustments he'll have to deal with. We've been surprised with how he's hit the ground running and made this much lesser of an issue than we expected."

In five Spring Training outings, Tanaka gave up five runs and struck out 26 over 21 innings, walking just three. His control is a particular point of pride; asked about his favorite part of Friday's outing against Miami, Tanaka replied in perfect English: "No walks."

The Yankees will look for that to continue in their fourth game of the season, giving Tanaka the ball on Friday against the Blue Jays in Toronto. By slotting him fourth in the rotation, Tanaka will pick up an extra day of rest with the Yanks' April 14 off-day; an accommodation given how Tanaka is learning to pitch in a five-man rotation instead of once a week in Japan.

After a spring that started with questions about how he would adjust to not only shorter rest, but different big league baseballs, clay mounds, tighter strike zones and more powerful lineups, Tanaka seems to have dashed those concerns handily.

"He came in with an open mind about the plan we had here and how we do things, and he got on it right away," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "And he wanted to get on it right away. I think he's more prepared to do it right away than if he was to stick on more of his old schedule. I think he's much more prepared."

As Tanaka put it: "I just feel that I was able to get a feel for everything, for how everything is run here in the Majors."

Hiroki Kuroda believes that Tanaka may be a few steps ahead of where Kuroda was when the right-hander made his own jump to the Majors with the Dodgers in 2008. Kuroda said that he left that spring unsure if he could win against Major League lineups; Tanaka has not seemed to have that issue.

"From what I see from these exhibition games, I don't think he has any problems," Kuroda said through an interpreter. "He has the stuff to pitch through a full season."

They worked out together this spring, including playing long toss together, but Kuroda said that Tanaka has not come to him seeking much advice. It is possible that he has not needed to, Kuroda said.

"You could say that he hasn't gone through a wall yet, so maybe he has nothing to ask right now," Kuroda said.

But Tanaka is watching and learning. He said that in his brief tour around the Grapefruit League, he studied the difference in the body types of hitters. Tanaka, who was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles last year, said that "batters are bigger here, stronger here and they can reach out further."

That will continue this week in Houston. Tanaka traveled with the Yankees to their first road stop and is looking forward to watching the first couple of games at Minute Maid Park, saying that he feels it will "be a plus" to get a feel for what Major League games are like from the dugout.

He said that he plans to study the Blue Jays' lineup "thoroughly," but Tanaka seems to be taking a measured approach toward his first start. Tanaka said that he has not allowed himself to get excited about that one outing, knowing there will be much more to experience ahead.

"I feel that I can't over-think too much," Tanaka said. "What I don't know is what I don't know. So basically I just have to go out there and keep learning and go about my business."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tanaka wins award for top Yankees rookie

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/29/2014 4:31 P.M. ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- As Masahiro Tanaka wraps up his first big league Spring Training camp and prepares to head into the regular season, the Yankees right-hander has already tucked one award under his belt.

The Yankees announced Saturday that Tanaka was the recipient of the 2014 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the outstanding Yankees rookie in Spring Training. Tanaka received the award in a ceremony before Saturday's game against the Marlins was cancelled due to rain.

Tanaka, 25, went 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in five appearances (three starts) this spring, allowing five earned runs in 21 innings. He led the team with 26 strikeouts while walking only three batters, permitting 15 hits.

"I do feel that I learned a lot throughout Spring Training," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I think the important thing for me is not to stop here and keep learning as the season progresses."

Tanaka completed his spring by hurling six innings of three-hit ball with no walks and 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 Yankees victory over the Marlins on Friday. He is scheduled to make his Major League debut on April 4 against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

The award was established in honor of James P. Dawson (1896-1953), who began a 45-year career with The New York Times as a copy boy in 1908. Eight years later, he became boxing editor and covered boxing and baseball until his death during Spring Training in 1953.

The Yankees' beat writers vote on the award; Yangervis Solarte, who hit .429 this spring to win a roster spot, was the runner-up. In conjunction with the award, Tanaka will receive a watch from Betteridge Jewelers.

Solarte makes team; Yankees option Nunez

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yangervis Solarte found a seat inside his clubhouse locker and pointed to the goosebumps running up and down his arms. The infielder was just told that he had made the Yankees' Opening Day roster, and he still was in a state of disbelief.

"This is a dream come true, outside of having my family and my children," Solarte said through an interpreter. "This is a new beginning. I have great happiness. Now I have to work hard. This is when the work actually starts."

Solarte, 26, beat out Eduardo Nunez for the final backup infield spot on the roster, with Nunez optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

A non-roster invitee, Solarte was a standout this spring, batting .429 (18-for-42) with two homers and nine RBIs, leading the club in hits and tied for the lead in RBIs. He said that he did not know what to think coming into the final day of the spring.

"I basically was just focused on how happy I was with everything, the way that I performed this Spring Training and being here," Solarte said. "Every day I kept moving forward, so I just stayed positive."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that it had been a difficult decision, but the switch-hitting Solarte has more career experience playing second and third base, which gave him an advantage.

"We thought he won the spot in Spring Training," Girardi said. "I thought defensively he played well. I thought he gave you good at-bats every time he went up there, whether it was from the left side or the right side."

Nunez left the clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field without speaking to reporters. Girardi said that Nunez was "very disappointed and upset" by the decision, and that it had been "extremely difficult" to tell Nunez he had not made the team.

"We all love Nuney," Girardi said. "There's something about his character and who he is that just makes him a guy that everyone roots for and wants to see him do well and have a great career. But it's difficult. The past two days have been really difficult on me."

With Brendan Ryan beginning the year on the disabled list, Girardi said that he envisions using Dean Anna as the primary backup to shortstop Derek Jeter, while using Solarte more at second and third base.

The Yankees need to make a 40-man roster move before 3 p.m. ET on Sunday to accommodate Solarte; that decision has not yet been announced.

Jeter gets key to city on final Spring Training day

TAMPA, Fla. -- The stadium was called Legends Field back in the spring of 1996, having just opened its gates to the public, and it was where a 21-year-old Derek Jeter celebrated that he was going north as the Yankees' Opening Day shortstop.

Nearly two decades later, Jeter stood outside those same clubhouse doors, leaving the facility -- now referred to as George M. Steinbrenner Field -- for the final time as an active player. The captain has played his last Spring Training game.

"It hasn't really set in," Jeter said. "It's odd to think that I won't be back. I've been coming here since '96; the first year it opened was my first year. It will be a little different; it will probably be a little more different next year when Spring Training starts. Right now, I'm just looking forward to getting to Houston."

Jeter was honored prior to what would have been his final spring game on Saturday, as he was presented with a key to the city of Tampa. The game was cancelled due to rain moments after the presentation.

"I live here, so now I can do whatever I want when I'm in Tampa," Jeter said with a smile. "I don't know how long it unlocks the doors for. It always feels good to be recognized. I spend a lot of time here, I live here in the offseason, so I thought it was very nice."

Jeter, 39, concluded his final spring with the Yankees batting .137 (7-for-51), with a double and two RBIs. He said that it took him longer than expected to regain his timing after missing most of last year due to injuries, but the veteran said that he feels prepared to begin the season as the Yanks' everyday shortstop.

"I feel good. That was the most important thing," Jeter said. "Spring Training is a progression, both physically and being game-ready. I feel I'm where I want to be right now."

Jeter said that he doesn't remember much about that spring of '96, except for that the facility was brand new. He has also recalled how Steinbrenner was unsure about going into the season with an unproven shortstop.

As the story goes, the Mariners offered journeyman infielder Felix Fermin to the Yankees, seeking pitchers Mariano Rivera or Bob Wickman in return -- a deal would have changed the course of franchise history. It was never especially close to happening, as the front office and manager Joe Torre went to bat for Jeter.

In recent seasons, Jeter has acknowledged trying to fast-forward the clock to Opening Day. He hopes that he was able to slow things down a little bit in his final run through the Grapefruit League.

"I just tried to not look forward to the end of it," Jeter said. "Most people look forward to the end of spring about two weeks into it, but I just tried to take it in, day in and day out. That's what I'll remember."

Bombers bits

• Girardi said that there is "a pretty good chance" that Saturday's washed-out batting order is the one he'll use against the Astros on April 1. That lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeter, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira, Alfonso Soriano, Brett Gardner, Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson.

Girardi said that in hitting Gardner seventh, "He's a guy that we feel we could hit anywhere in the top or anywhere down to give some speed. He had a pretty good year offensively last year, and that's where we decided to put him."

• Most of the Yankees' roster left for Houston after Saturday's game was cancelled; ace CC Sabathia planned to attend Saturday's NBA matchup between the Rockets and Clippers. Some remained behind, including Girardi, who will watch Michael Pineda's 10 a.m. ET Minor League game on Sunday before flying to Houston. The Yankees have a 3 p.m. ET workout on Monday at Minute Maid Park to prepare for Tuesday's season opener.

• Ryan (pinched nerve in upper back) said that he would be "pretty disappointed" if he is unable to play in the big leagues before May 1. Ryan is staying back in Tampa to continue rehabbing, and he said that he will resume swinging a bat underwater on Monday. He expects to be given about 50 at-bats in Minor League and simulated games before joining the big league club.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Solarte makes team; Yankees option Nunez

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/29/2014 4:31 P.M. ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yangervis Solarte found a seat inside his clubhouse locker and pointed to the goosebumps running up and down his arms. The infielder was just told that he had made the Yankees' Opening Day roster, and he still was in a state of disbelief.

"This is a dream come true, outside of having my family and my children," Solarte said through an interpreter. "This is a new beginning. I have great happiness. Now I have to work hard. This is when the work actually starts."

Solarte, 26, beat out Eduardo Nunez for the final backup infield spot on the roster, with Nunez optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

A non-roster invitee, Solarte was a standout this spring, batting .429 (18-for-42) with two homers and nine RBIs, leading the club in hits and tied for the lead in RBIs. He said that he did not know what to think coming into the final day of the spring.

"I basically was just focused on how happy I was with everything, the way that I performed this Spring Training and being here," Solarte said. "Every day I kept moving forward, so I just stayed positive."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that it had been a difficult decision, but the switch-hitting Solarte has more career experience playing second and third base, which gave him an advantage.

"We thought he won the spot in Spring Training," Girardi said. "I thought defensively he played well. I thought he gave you good at-bats every time he went up there, whether it was from the left side or the right side."

Nunez left the clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field without speaking to reporters. Girardi said that Nunez was "very disappointed and upset" by the decision, and that it had been "extremely difficult" to tell Nunez he had not made the team.

"We all love Nuney," Girardi said. "There's something about his character and who he is that just makes him a guy that everyone roots for and wants to see him do well and have a great career. But it's difficult. The past two days have been really difficult on me."

With Brendan Ryan beginning the year on the disabled list, Girardi said that he envisions using Dean Anna as the primary backup to shortstop Derek Jeter, while using Solarte more at second and third base.

The Yankees need to make a 40-man roster move before 3 p.m. ET on Sunday to accommodate Solarte; that decision has not yet been announced.

Jeter gets key to city on final Spring Training day

TAMPA, Fla. -- The stadium was called Legends Field back in the spring of 1996, having just opened its gates to the public, and it was where a 21-year-old Derek Jeter celebrated that he was going north as the Yankees' Opening Day shortstop.

Nearly two decades later, Jeter stood outside those same clubhouse doors, leaving the facility -- now referred to as George M. Steinbrenner Field -- for the final time as an active player. The captain has played his last Spring Training game.

"It hasn't really set in," Jeter said. "It's odd to think that I won't be back. I've been coming here since '96; the first year it opened was my first year. It will be a little different; it will probably be a little more different next year when Spring Training starts. Right now, I'm just looking forward to getting to Houston."

Jeter was honored prior to what would have been his final spring game on Saturday, as he was presented with a key to the city of Tampa. The game was cancelled due to rain moments after the presentation.

"I live here, so now I can do whatever I want when I'm in Tampa," Jeter said with a smile. "I don't know how long it unlocks the doors for. It always feels good to be recognized. I spend a lot of time here, I live here in the offseason, so I thought it was very nice."

Jeter, 39, concluded his final spring with the Yankees batting .137 (7-for-51), with a double and two RBIs. He said that it took him longer than expected to regain his timing after missing most of last year due to injuries, but the veteran said that he feels prepared to begin the season as the Yanks' everyday shortstop.

"I feel good. That was the most important thing," Jeter said. "Spring Training is a progression, both physically and being game-ready. I feel I'm where I want to be right now."

Jeter said that he doesn't remember much about that spring of '96, except for that the facility was brand new. He has also recalled how Steinbrenner was unsure about going into the season with an unproven shortstop.

As the story goes, the Mariners offered journeyman infielder Felix Fermin to the Yankees, seeking pitchers Mariano Rivera or Bob Wickman in return -- a deal would have changed the course of franchise history. It was never especially close to happening, as the front office and manager Joe Torre went to bat for Jeter.

In recent seasons, Jeter has acknowledged trying to fast-forward the clock to Opening Day. He hopes that he was able to slow things down a little bit in his final run through the Grapefruit League.

"I just tried to not look forward to the end of it," Jeter said. "Most people look forward to the end of spring about two weeks into it, but I just tried to take it in, day in and day out. That's what I'll remember."

Tanaka wins award for top Yankees rookie

TAMPA, Fla. -- As Masahiro Tanaka wraps up his first big league Spring Training camp and prepares to head into the regular season, the Yankees right-hander has already tucked one award under his belt.

The Yankees announced Saturday that Tanaka was the recipient of the 2014 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the outstanding Yankees rookie in Spring Training. Tanaka received the award in a ceremony before Saturday's game against the Marlins was cancelled due to rain.

Tanaka, 25, went 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in five appearances (three starts) this spring, allowing five earned runs in 21 innings. He led the team with 26 strikeouts while walking only three batters, permitting 15 hits.

"I do feel that I learned a lot throughout Spring Training," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I think the important thing for me is not to stop here and keep learning as the season progresses."

Tanaka completed his spring by hurling six innings of three-hit ball with no walks and 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 Yankees victory over the Marlins on Friday. He is scheduled to make his Major League debut on April 4 against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

The award was established in honor of James P. Dawson (1896-1953), who began a 45-year career with The New York Times as a copy boy in 1908. Eight years later, he became boxing editor and covered boxing and baseball until his death during Spring Training in 1953.

The Yankees' beat writers vote on the award; Yangervis Solarte, who hit .429 this spring to win a roster spot, was the runner-up. In conjunction with the award, Tanaka will receive a watch from Betteridge Jewelers.

Bombers bits

• Girardi said that there is "a pretty good chance" that Saturday's washed-out batting order is the one he'll use against the Astros on April 1. That lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeter, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira, Alfonso Soriano, Brett Gardner, Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson.

Girardi said that in hitting Gardner seventh, "He's a guy that we feel we could hit anywhere in the top or anywhere down to give some speed. He had a pretty good year offensively last year, and that's where we decided to put him."

• Most of the Yankees' roster left for Houston after Saturday's game was cancelled; ace CC Sabathia planned to attend Saturday's NBA matchup between the Rockets and Clippers. Some remained behind, including Girardi, who will watch Michael Pineda's 10 a.m. ET Minor League game on Sunday before flying to Houston. The Yankees have a 3 p.m. ET workout on Monday at Minute Maid Park to prepare for Tuesday's season opener.

• Ryan (pinched nerve in upper back) said that he would be "pretty disappointed" if he is unable to play in the big leagues before May 1. Ryan is staying back in Tampa to continue rehabbing, and he said that he will resume swinging a bat underwater on Monday. He expects to be given about 50 at-bats in Minor League and simulated games before joining the big league club.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeter gets key to city on final Spring Training day

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/29/2014 4:31 P.M. ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- The stadium was called Legends Field back in the spring of 1996, having just opened its gates to the public, and it was where a 21-year-old Derek Jeter celebrated that he was going north as the Yankees' Opening Day shortstop.

Nearly two decades later, Jeter stood outside those same clubhouse doors, leaving the facility -- now referred to as George M. Steinbrenner Field -- for the final time as an active player. The captain has played his last Spring Training game.

"It hasn't really set in," Jeter said. "It's odd to think that I won't be back. I've been coming here since '96; the first year it opened was my first year. It will be a little different; it will probably be a little more different next year when Spring Training starts. Right now, I'm just looking forward to getting to Houston."

Jeter was honored prior to what would have been his final spring game on Saturday, as he was presented with a key to the city of Tampa. The game was cancelled due to rain moments after the presentation.

"I live here, so now I can do whatever I want when I'm in Tampa," Jeter said with a smile. "I don't know how long it unlocks the doors for. It always feels good to be recognized. I spend a lot of time here, I live here in the offseason, so I thought it was very nice."

Jeter, 39, concluded his final spring with the Yankees batting .137 (7-for-51), with a double and two RBIs. He said that it took him longer than expected to regain his timing after missing most of last year due to injuries, but the veteran said that he feels prepared to begin the season as the Yanks' everyday shortstop.

"I feel good. That was the most important thing," Jeter said. "Spring Training is a progression, both physically and being game-ready. I feel I'm where I want to be right now."

Jeter said that he doesn't remember much about that spring of '96, except for that the facility was brand new. He has also recalled how Steinbrenner was unsure about going into the season with an unproven shortstop.

As the story goes, the Mariners offered journeyman infielder Felix Fermin to the Yankees, seeking pitchers Mariano Rivera or Bob Wickman in return -- a deal would have changed the course of franchise history. It was never especially close to happening, as the front office and manager Joe Torre went to bat for Jeter.

In recent seasons, Jeter has acknowledged trying to fast-forward the clock to Opening Day. He hopes that he was able to slow things down a little bit in his final run through the Grapefruit League.

"I just tried to not look forward to the end of it," Jeter said. "Most people look forward to the end of spring about two weeks into it, but I just tried to take it in, day in and day out. That's what I'll remember."

Solarte makes team; Yankees option Nunez

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yangervis Solarte found a seat inside his clubhouse locker and pointed to the goosebumps running up and down his arms. The infielder was just told that he had made the Yankees' Opening Day roster, and he still was in a state of disbelief.

"This is a dream come true, outside of having my family and my children," Solarte said through an interpreter. "This is a new beginning. I have great happiness. Now I have to work hard. This is when the work actually starts."

Solarte, 26, beat out Eduardo Nunez for the final backup infield spot on the roster, with Nunez optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

A non-roster invitee, Solarte was a standout this spring, batting .429 (18-for-42) with two homers and nine RBIs, leading the club in hits and tied for the lead in RBIs. He said that he did not know what to think coming into the final day of the spring.

"I basically was just focused on how happy I was with everything, the way that I performed this Spring Training and being here," Solarte said. "Every day I kept moving forward, so I just stayed positive."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that it had been a difficult decision, but the switch-hitting Solarte has more career experience playing second and third base, which gave him an advantage.

"We thought he won the spot in Spring Training," Girardi said. "I thought defensively he played well. I thought he gave you good at-bats every time he went up there, whether it was from the left side or the right side."

Nunez left the clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field without speaking to reporters. Girardi said that Nunez was "very disappointed and upset" by the decision, and that it had been "extremely difficult" to tell Nunez he had not made the team.

"We all love Nuney," Girardi said. "There's something about his character and who he is that just makes him a guy that everyone roots for and wants to see him do well and have a great career. But it's difficult. The past two days have been really difficult on me."

With Brendan Ryan beginning the year on the disabled list, Girardi said that he envisions using Dean Anna as the primary backup to shortstop Derek Jeter, while using Solarte more at second and third base.

The Yankees need to make a 40-man roster move before 3 p.m. ET on Sunday to accommodate Solarte; that decision has not yet been announced.

Tanaka wins award for top Yankees rookie

TAMPA, Fla. -- As Masahiro Tanaka wraps up his first big league Spring Training camp and prepares to head into the regular season, the Yankees right-hander has already tucked one award under his belt.

The Yankees announced Saturday that Tanaka was the recipient of the 2014 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the outstanding Yankees rookie in Spring Training. Tanaka received the award in a ceremony before Saturday's game against the Marlins was cancelled due to rain.

Tanaka, 25, went 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in five appearances (three starts) this spring, allowing five earned runs in 21 innings. He led the team with 26 strikeouts while walking only three batters, permitting 15 hits.

"I do feel that I learned a lot throughout Spring Training," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I think the important thing for me is not to stop here and keep learning as the season progresses."

Tanaka completed his spring by hurling six innings of three-hit ball with no walks and 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 Yankees victory over the Marlins on Friday. He is scheduled to make his Major League debut on April 4 against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

The award was established in honor of James P. Dawson (1896-1953), who began a 45-year career with The New York Times as a copy boy in 1908. Eight years later, he became boxing editor and covered boxing and baseball until his death during Spring Training in 1953.

The Yankees' beat writers vote on the award; Yangervis Solarte, who hit .429 this spring to win a roster spot, was the runner-up. In conjunction with the award, Tanaka will receive a watch from Betteridge Jewelers.

Bombers bits

• Girardi said that there is "a pretty good chance" that Saturday's washed-out batting order is the one he'll use against the Astros on April 1. That lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeter, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Mark Teixeira, Alfonso Soriano, Brett Gardner, Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson.

Girardi said that in hitting Gardner seventh, "He's a guy that we feel we could hit anywhere in the top or anywhere down to give some speed. He had a pretty good year offensively last year, and that's where we decided to put him."

• Most of the Yankees' roster left for Houston after Saturday's game was cancelled; ace CC Sabathia planned to attend Saturday's NBA matchup between the Rockets and Clippers. Some remained behind, including Girardi, who will watch Michael Pineda's 10 a.m. ET Minor League game on Sunday before flying to Houston. The Yankees have a 3 p.m. ET workout on Monday at Minute Maid Park to prepare for Tuesday's season opener.

• Ryan (pinched nerve in upper back) said that he would be "pretty disappointed" if he is unable to play in the big leagues before May 1. Ryan is staying back in Tampa to continue rehabbing, and he said that he will resume swinging a bat underwater on Monday. He expects to be given about 50 at-bats in Minor League and simulated games before joining the big league club.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yankees bring back Aceves on Minors deal

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have signed right-hander Alfredo Aceves, a member of the club's 2009 World Series championship roster, to a Minor League contract.

Aceves, 31, opted out of his deal with the Orioles earlier on Friday after being told that he would not make the big league roster.

Aceves will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a starting pitcher, providing the organization with extra depth at that level after the Yanks named David Phelps, Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno to the Opening Day roster.

After beginning his big league career with the Yankees in 2008, Aceves spent the last three seasons with the Red Sox. He was 4-1 with a 4.86 ERA in 11 games (six starts) for Boston in 2013.

Anna makes roster; Nunez, Solarte up in air

TAMPA, Fla. -- The final roster spot in Yankees camp will come down to the last day of the spring, as utility infielders Eduardo Nunez and Yangervis Solarte have both been told not to pack for the trip to Houston.

Dean Anna was told that he has secured a spot on the roster, and the Yankees view Anna as the replacement for infielder Brendan Ryan, who will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list. That decision leaves Nunez and Solarte in limbo for one more night.

"Weird, a situation like that," Nunez said. "It's kind of weird, you know? You don't know where you're going on the last day of Spring Training. They said it's still up in the air."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he had "nothing else to really report" about the situation with Nunez and Solarte. Nunez has played in 270 games for the Yankees over the last four years, while Solarte batted .429 this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Technically, the Yankees have until 3 p.m. ET on Sunday to finalize their Opening Day roster. Girardi did confirm that Anna made the roster, news that was first revealed via Twitter by Jedd Gyorko, one of Anna's former Padres teammates.

"He gives you a ton of flexibility," Girardi said. "With Brendan Ryan out, he played a very good shortstop for us. He's a left-handed bat, so if we give [Derek Jeter] a day off, it'll probably be against a right-hander. He fits the mold."

Girardi said that he would also feel comfortable playing Anna at second or third base. Anna, 27, led the Pacific Coast League in hitting last year with a .331 average for Triple-A Tucson and would be making his big league debut with New York.

"I really feel a little numb more than anything right now," Anna said. "I think maybe Opening Day, that's when I'll start to feel what I feel. Everyone else is really excited for me, but it really just feels like another day right now -- which is kind of a weird feeling, really."

Betances, Nuno rewarded with spots on 25-man roster

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have informed right-hander Dellin Betances and left-hander Vidal Nuno that they are on the club's 25-man roster to begin the season, rounding out the last of their bullpen decisions.

The hard-throwing Betances posted an 0.73 ERA in 12 1/3 spring innings, while Nuno had a 3.38 mark in eight spring innings, transitioning to the bullpen after competing for the Yankees' fifth starter vacancy.

"We liked the camps that they had," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Betances had a great camp. We think Nuno gives us a lot of flexibility as far as a second left-hander, but also a guy that can give you some innings if you bring him in to face a left, right, left. He'll give you a couple of innings."

The Yankees still need to finalize one backup infield spot after telling Dean Anna that he made the club on Friday. They are continuing to discuss how to decide the remaining spot between Eduardo Nunez and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte.

Betances and Nuno will join the mix leading to closer David Robertson. Left-hander Matt Thornton and right-hander Shawn Kelley were considered early locks for the bullpen, and fifth starter runners-up David Phelps and Adam Warren are also beginning the year in relief.

"Our bullpen has some flexibility because three guys can really give you some good distance," Girardi said, referring to Phelps, Warren and Nuno.

Betances, 26, made eight previous big league appearances (one start) with the Yankees in 2011 and '13. Once a top starting pitching prospect, Betances was converted into a full-time reliever last season.

"I did what I had to do. I felt like I earned my spot," Betances said. "Now it's just competing and trying to help the team as much as I can."

Nuno, 26, was 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA in five games (three starts) with New York last season. Once property of the Indians' organization, Nuno had a stint in independent ball before latching on with the Yankees.

"I can sleep a little bit better now, just knowing that I'm heading to Houston and then New York," Nuno said. "It's just a long journey. I'm just really happy, really thrilled about how I got the news. Now it's back to work."

The team also gave serious consideration to left-hander Cesar Cabral, who threw 9 1/3 scoreless innings this spring, but the club's early schedule played a part in the decision to leave Cabral off the roster.

"We play 13 games in a row to get out of the gate," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "I think taking our best pitching going north -- the fact that we're playing 13 games in a row, Nuno can give you length as well as that he's left-handed. That gave him a leg up."

Ellsbury expects to be in Opening Day lineup

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury played six innings of a Minor League game in center field on Friday, going 2-for-5 with an infield single, and said that he expects to be ready to be in the Opening Day lineup.

"I felt pretty good," Ellsbury said. "I played it like a normal game, busting it out of the box. I played like I normally would."

General manager Brian Cashman said that the Yankees could have played Ellsbury against the Marlins on Friday, but decided to have Ellsbury play in a 10 a.m. ET game because of weather concerns.

Ellsbury hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game since March 14 due to a sore right calf. Saturday's forecast is threatening, but the Yankees believe Ellsbury could play in the 1:05 p.m. ET game (watch free on MLB.TV) against the Marlins at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

"I'm pretty confident that he's through this, but we'll just wait and see," manager Joe Girardi said.

Girardi has given some thought to what he would do with his early-season lineups if Ellsbury is not available.

"I might move Brett [Gardner] over, and I could put Ich [Suzuki] in left. There's a lot of different things I could do," Girardi said. "Might be a situation where I put [Alfonso] Soriano in left for a day and put Ich in right and DH [Carlos] Beltran. We thought it was important that Brett got a lot of reps in left field."

Teixeira addresses bad habit, encouraged by health

TAMPA, Fla. -- Mark Teixeira said that he had been protecting his surgically repaired right wrist and not taking his most powerful cuts at the plate this spring, but a sit-down with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long has addressed the problem.

"It was something I didn't know I was doing," Teixeira said. "Kevin and I have, over the last week, we've been really trying to work on me taking my full swing. What I noticed in game film from Spring Training, I was protecting my swing the way I was doing last year when I was hurt. I think it's just bad habits that I got into last year."

Teixeira said that, when batting left-handed, he was taking his left hand off the bat in mid-swing to protect his right wrist -- doing it in games as well as in batting practice.

Long and manager Joe Girardi were encouraged that Teixeira -- who was batting .091 (3-for-33) this spring, heading into Friday night's game against the Marlins -- seemed to start taking better swings on Thursday against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.

"We all needed to see that," Long said. "You want these guys going into the season feeling good about their swing and what they're doing, how the ball is coming off the bat. For everybody; Tex certainly, and Joe wanted to see it, I wanted to see it as well. We got positive feedback."

Teixeira said that despite his lackluster spring numbers, he has been encouraged by making it through the spring healthy.

"I've been hitting some nice line drives, but those line drives I need to get under and hit for home runs," Teixeira said. "That'll come with just getting stronger as the season goes on. No one can predict what the season's going to give you, but what I do know is that through six weeks of Spring Training, I'm healthy. And that's a really good sign."

Teixeira also said that he believes his usual target goals of 30 home runs and 100 RBIs can be in play.

"My thing has been, since early in my career, if I'm on the field, that's what I'm going to do," Teixeira said. "So I need to be on the field for 162 games. We talked about my plan this whole spring, it was to get my body in position to play 150-plus games. The way I feel today, I'm confident that I can do that."

Bombers bits

• Michael Pineda will not be on the team's charter flight to Houston; the right-hander is scheduled to stay back and pitch in a Minor League or intrasquad game on Sunday morning. Pineda's first Yankees start is scheduled for April 5 in Toronto.

• Yankees infielder Brendan Ryan (pinched nerve in upper back) will not be ready to be activated when eligible on April 5. Ryan will begin the year on the disabled list, retroactive to March 21, and Cashman indicated that he will need longer than 15 days.

"He hasn't done anything, and he only had [nine] plate appearances before he got hurt," Cashman said. "That doesn't count, because it was so long ago. He's going to have to start from scratch."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ten-aka: Masahiro dominant as Yanks blank Marlins

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/28/2014 10:27 P.M. ET

Masahiro Tanaka tossed six superb innings, allowing three hits and striking out 10. (AP)

TAMPA, Fla. -- As Spring Training draws to a close, Hiroki Kuroda and Masahiro Tanaka gave the Yankees more reason to feel good about their rotation, pitching New York to a 3-0 victory over the Marlins on Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

"Really good. [Tanaka] and Kuroda were really good tonight, I thought," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "They both did what you want to see in your last outing."

Coming on in relief of Kuroda, Tanaka was dominant, striking out 10 while holding the Marlins to three hits over six innings. He threw 82 pitches, 60 for strikes.

Scheduled to start the Yanks' fourth game of the year on April 4 in Toronto, Tanaka wrapped up his first spring with the Yankees with a 2.14 ERA, striking out 26 and walking three in 21 innings.

Kuroda pitched three innings of three-hit ball, preparing to take the mound in New York's second game of the season on Wednesday in Houston. Kuroda walked none and struck out four, finishing the spring with a 4.76 ERA.

"I think all my pitches were good," Kuroda said through an interpreter. "My breaking balls were moving, and my two-seamer was really sharp."

Starter Kevin Slowey pitched three perfect innings for Miami, striking out two in his sixth appearance and third start of the spring.

Carlos Marmol, Dan Jennings, A.J. Ramos and Mike Dunn followed Slowey and combined to hold the Yankees hitless through seven innings, before Steve Cishek allowed three hits and two runs in the eighth. Kelly Johnson doubled, and Brian Roberts' single plated Eduardo Nunez, who pinch-ran for Johnson. Yangervis Solarte then tacked on an RBI single.

The Yankees got on the board in the fourth against Marmol, as Brett Gardner flashed his speed, reaching on an error and stealing twice before coming home on a Brian McCann groundout.

Up next: Ivan Nova (2-1, 3.66 ERA) will get the ball as the Yankees host the Marlins in a 1:05 p.m. ET Spring Training finale at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla, on Saturday (watch free on MLB.TV). Right-hander Tom Koehler (1-1, 1.50) will start for Miami.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Anna makes roster; Nunez, Solarte up in air

TAMPA, Fla. -- The final roster spot in Yankees camp will come down to the last day of the spring, as utility infielders Eduardo Nunez and Yangervis Solarte have both been told not to pack for the trip to Houston.

Dean Anna was told that he has secured a spot on the roster, and the Yankees view Anna as the replacement for infielder Brendan Ryan, who will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list. That decision leaves Nunez and Solarte in limbo for one more night.

"Weird, a situation like that," Nunez said. "It's kind of weird, you know? You don't know where you're going on the last day of Spring Training. They said it's still up in the air."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he had "nothing else to really report" about the situation with Nunez and Solarte. Nunez has played in 270 games for the Yankees over the last four years, while Solarte batted .429 this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Technically, the Yankees have until 3 p.m. ET on Sunday to finalize their Opening Day roster. Girardi did confirm that Anna made the roster, news that was first revealed via Twitter by Jedd Gyorko, one of Anna's former Padres teammates.

"He gives you a ton of flexibility," Girardi said. "With Brendan Ryan out, he played a very good shortstop for us. He's a left-handed bat, so if we give [Derek Jeter] a day off, it'll probably be against a right-hander. He fits the mold."

Girardi said that he would also feel comfortable playing Anna at second or third base. Anna, 27, led the Pacific Coast League in hitting last year with a .331 average for Triple-A Tucson and would be making his big league debut with New York.

"I really feel a little numb more than anything right now," Anna said. "I think maybe Opening Day, that's when I'll start to feel what I feel. Everyone else is really excited for me, but it really just feels like another day right now -- which is kind of a weird feeling, really."

Betances, Nuno rewarded with spots on 25-man roster

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have informed right-hander Dellin Betances and left-hander Vidal Nuno that they are on the club's 25-man roster to begin the season, rounding out the last of their bullpen decisions.

The hard-throwing Betances posted an 0.73 ERA in 12 1/3 spring innings, while Nuno had a 3.38 mark in eight spring innings, transitioning to the bullpen after competing for the Yankees' fifth starter vacancy.

"We liked the camps that they had," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Betances had a great camp. We think Nuno gives us a lot of flexibility as far as a second left-hander, but also a guy that can give you some innings if you bring him in to face a left, right, left. He'll give you a couple of innings."

The Yankees still need to finalize one backup infield spot after telling Dean Anna that he made the club on Friday. They are continuing to discuss how to decide the remaining spot between Eduardo Nunez and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte.

Betances and Nuno will join the mix leading to closer David Robertson. Left-hander Matt Thornton and right-hander Shawn Kelley were considered early locks for the bullpen, and fifth starter runners-up David Phelps and Adam Warren are also beginning the year in relief.

"Our bullpen has some flexibility because three guys can really give you some good distance," Girardi said, referring to Phelps, Warren and Nuno.

Betances, 26, made eight previous big league appearances (one start) with the Yankees in 2011 and '13. Once a top starting pitching prospect, Betances was converted into a full-time reliever last season.

"I did what I had to do. I felt like I earned my spot," Betances said. "Now it's just competing and trying to help the team as much as I can."

Nuno, 26, was 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA in five games (three starts) with New York last season. Once property of the Indians' organization, Nuno had a stint in independent ball before latching on with the Yankees.

"I can sleep a little bit better now, just knowing that I'm heading to Houston and then New York," Nuno said. "It's just a long journey. I'm just really happy, really thrilled about how I got the news. Now it's back to work."

The team also gave serious consideration to left-hander Cesar Cabral, who threw 9 1/3 scoreless innings this spring, but the club's early schedule played a part in the decision to leave Cabral off the roster.

"We play 13 games in a row to get out of the gate," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "I think taking our best pitching going north -- the fact that we're playing 13 games in a row, Nuno can give you length as well as that he's left-handed. That gave him a leg up."

Ellsbury expects to be in Opening Day lineup

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury played six innings of a Minor League game in center field on Friday, going 2-for-5 with an infield single, and said that he expects to be ready to be in the Opening Day lineup.

"I felt pretty good," Ellsbury said. "I played it like a normal game, busting it out of the box. I played like I normally would."

General manager Brian Cashman said that the Yankees could have played Ellsbury against the Marlins on Friday, but decided to have Ellsbury play in a 10 a.m. ET game because of weather concerns.

Ellsbury hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game since March 14 due to a sore right calf. Saturday's forecast is threatening, but the Yankees believe Ellsbury could play in the 1:05 p.m. ET game (watch free on MLB.TV) against the Marlins at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

"I'm pretty confident that he's through this, but we'll just wait and see," manager Joe Girardi said.

Girardi has given some thought to what he would do with his early-season lineups if Ellsbury is not available.

"I might move Brett [Gardner] over, and I could put Ich [Suzuki] in left. There's a lot of different things I could do," Girardi said. "Might be a situation where I put [Alfonso] Soriano in left for a day and put Ich in right and DH [Carlos] Beltran. We thought it was important that Brett got a lot of reps in left field."

Teixeira addresses bad habit, encouraged by health

TAMPA, Fla. -- Mark Teixeira said that he had been protecting his surgically repaired right wrist and not taking his most powerful cuts at the plate this spring, but a sit-down with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long has addressed the problem.

"It was something I didn't know I was doing," Teixeira said. "Kevin and I have, over the last week, we've been really trying to work on me taking my full swing. What I noticed in game film from Spring Training, I was protecting my swing the way I was doing last year when I was hurt. I think it's just bad habits that I got into last year."

Teixeira said that, when batting left-handed, he was taking his left hand off the bat in mid-swing to protect his right wrist -- doing it in games as well as in batting practice.

Long and manager Joe Girardi were encouraged that Teixeira -- who was batting .091 (3-for-33) this spring, heading into Friday night's game against the Marlins -- seemed to start taking better swings on Thursday against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.

"We all needed to see that," Long said. "You want these guys going into the season feeling good about their swing and what they're doing, how the ball is coming off the bat. For everybody; Tex certainly, and Joe wanted to see it, I wanted to see it as well. We got positive feedback."

Teixeira said that despite his lackluster spring numbers, he has been encouraged by making it through the spring healthy.

"I've been hitting some nice line drives, but those line drives I need to get under and hit for home runs," Teixeira said. "That'll come with just getting stronger as the season goes on. No one can predict what the season's going to give you, but what I do know is that through six weeks of Spring Training, I'm healthy. And that's a really good sign."

Teixeira also said that he believes his usual target goals of 30 home runs and 100 RBIs can be in play.

"My thing has been, since early in my career, if I'm on the field, that's what I'm going to do," Teixeira said. "So I need to be on the field for 162 games. We talked about my plan this whole spring, it was to get my body in position to play 150-plus games. The way I feel today, I'm confident that I can do that."

Yankees bring back Aceves on Minors deal

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have signed right-hander Alfredo Aceves, a member of the club's 2009 World Series championship roster, to a Minor League contract.

Aceves, 31, opted out of his deal with the Orioles earlier on Friday after being told that he would not make the big league roster.

Aceves will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a starting pitcher, providing the organization with extra depth at that level after the Yanks named David Phelps, Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno to the Opening Day roster.

After beginning his big league career with the Yankees in 2008, Aceves spent the last three seasons with the Red Sox. He was 4-1 with a 4.86 ERA in 11 games (six starts) for Boston in 2013.

Bombers bits

• Michael Pineda will not be on the team's charter flight to Houston; the right-hander is scheduled to stay back and pitch in a Minor League or intrasquad game on Sunday morning. Pineda's first Yankees start is scheduled for April 5 in Toronto.

• Yankees infielder Brendan Ryan (pinched nerve in upper back) will not be ready to be activated when eligible on April 5. Ryan will begin the year on the disabled list, retroactive to March 21, and Cashman indicated that he will need longer than 15 days.

"He hasn't done anything, and he only had [nine] plate appearances before he got hurt," Cashman said. "That doesn't count, because it was so long ago. He's going to have to start from scratch."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yankees send righty Claiborne to Triple-A

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/27/2014 5:09 P.M. ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Preston Claiborne made 44 appearances at the big league level last season for the Yankees, but his stuff never appeared to be quite as crisp this spring, manager Joe Girardi said.

Claiborne was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Wednesday's appearance against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. Claiborne faced six batters and did not record an out, charged with six earned runs on four hits with a walk and hit-by-pitch.

"With what he did last year, we thought that he would have a really good chance of being in our bullpen," Girardi said. "He just really never got on a roll in Spring Training. As we told him, we know he's capable of pitching much better than he did. It's his job just to go get ready."

Claiborne, 26, posted a 4.11 ERA in 50 1/3 big league innings last season. His ERA in seven Grapefruit League appearances this spring was 14.29 (nine runs in 5 2/3 innings), and Girardi said that Claiborne seemed disappointed by the demotion.

"I don't think anyone ever takes the news well," Girardi said. "I think he understood, and he understood that he was not throwing the ball the way that he was capable of. But he was very determined to go fix that."

Nunez, Anna, Solarte await Yanks' choices

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Eduardo Nunez has not packed one stitch of clothing for the regular season, and probably won't until Saturday. He is one of three Yankees infielders stuck in a holding pattern while the team decides how to finish off the 25-man roster.

"It's funny, but it's not funny," said Nunez, with a laugh.

Nunez, Dean Anna and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte all had one last crack to impress the Yankees' coaches on Thursday, grabbing starts in a 4-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Pirates at McKechnie Field.

Nunez went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Anna and Solarte each went hitless in four at-bats. The Yankees plan to take two of the three and will give the topic a lot of thought and discussion on Friday, when an announcement is expected.

"This was not a great Spring Training for offense, but I'm learning a lot," said the 27-year-old Nunez, who batted .265 this spring. "I got my confidence at third base and second base, too. But I don't worry about my hitting, because I can do better with that."

Nunez has played in 129 career big league games, all with the Yankees, but manager Joe Girardi has said that neither of their two vacancies have been decided. Nunez said that getting the late nod to make the club is not out of the ordinary for him.

"The last two years, they [told] me the last two days of the camp," Nunez said. "So for me, it's not a surprise. I've always been in this situation."

Solarte, 26, was among the Yankees' top offensive players of the spring. A non-roster invitee who played at Triple-A in the Rangers' system the last two years, Solarte hit .415 (17-for-41) with two homers and eight RBIs to put himself on the radar.

"I feel pretty satisfied with the work that I have done, but regarding the chances, that's something I cannot control and I leave that to the Yankees," Solarte said through an interpreter.

Solarte was nearly promoted to the big leagues by the Rangers last September, and said that he would report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he doesn't make the Yankees' Opening Day roster.

"I will take an opportunity, either if it's up here on the team or down in Triple-A," Solarte said. "You just want an opportunity."

Anna, 27, was acquired from the Padres in November after leading the Pacific Coast League with a .331 average last year, and is attending his first big league camp this spring.

He said that he did not feel any added pressure on Thursday, knowing that the Yankees will be judging more than just one game to make their decisions.

"That's over with. That's how I felt the first week, where I needed to do something no matter what," Anna said. "But now it's just, get ready for the season. Whatever happens from here on out, I feel I did pretty well."

After cuts, Yankees gear up for final decisions

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Yankees are closing in on their final roster decisions of the spring, shipping 10 more players to Minor League camp and preparing to have lengthy discussions before finalizing their 25-man Opening Day roster on Friday.

New York made seven roster moves after Wednesday's game, optioning right-hander Preston Claiborne and outfielder Zoilo Almonte to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. They also reassigned infielders Russ Canzler and Scott Sizemore, and right-handers David Herndon, Jim Miller and Yoshinori Tateyama to Minor League camp.

The club announced on Thursday that it also reassigned right-handers Danny Burawa and Chris Leroux, as well as left-hander Fred Lewis, to Minor League camp. Thirty-five players remain in big league camp, and manager Joe Girardi said that all of the final decisions will be announced on Friday.

"It's been a fierce camp here, and [they] have had a good camp here," Girardi said. "We always tell them, 'At some point, the phone's going to ring, and you want to be that person who's throwing the best.'"

With infielder Brendan Ryan starting the year on the 15-day disabled list due to a pinched nerve in his upper back, Girardi and his staff will have to choose two backup infielders from the group of Eduardo Nunez, Dean Anna and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte.

"I always say, 'If you're playing, you have a chance to show us something,'" Girardi said. "It will probably be a long discussion [Friday] on what we feel the best fits are."

There are four vacancies in the bullpen, and two of them appear to be locked in for right-handers David Phelps and Adam Warren. Right-hander Dellin Betances has pitched well this spring but has a Minor League option remaining, giving the club some flexibility.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said that the club would prefer to have an additional left-handed reliever, so Vidal Nuno or Cesar Cabral could win a bullpen spot. Right-handers Matt Daley and Shane Greene also remain in camp.

"We're trying to [narrow it down], because people have to pack and get ready for their season," Girardi said.

Bomber bits

• Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (sore right calf) was scheduled to have a workout day on Thursday, then will play in Minor League games on Friday and Saturday, according to Girardi. The Yanks' reports on Ellsbury have been "really, really good," Girardi said.

• Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Alfonso Soriano continues to have maintenance on his stiff right shoulder, which will stretch into the regular season.

"Some of it has to do with years in the big leagues, is probably one way to put it," Girardi said.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

After cuts, Yankees gear up for final decisions

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/27/2014 5:09 P.M. ET

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Yankees are closing in on their final roster decisions of the spring, shipping 10 more players to Minor League camp and preparing to have lengthy discussions before finalizing their 25-man Opening Day roster on Friday.

New York made seven roster moves after Wednesday's game, optioning right-hander Preston Claiborne and outfielder Zoilo Almonte to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. They also reassigned infielders Russ Canzler and Scott Sizemore, and right-handers David Herndon, Jim Miller and Yoshinori Tateyama to Minor League camp.

The club announced on Thursday that it also reassigned right-handers Danny Burawa and Chris Leroux, as well as left-hander Fred Lewis, to Minor League camp. Thirty-five players remain in big league camp, and manager Joe Girardi said that all of the final decisions will be announced on Friday.

"It's been a fierce camp here, and [they] have had a good camp here," Girardi said. "We always tell them, 'At some point, the phone's going to ring, and you want to be that person who's throwing the best.'"

With infielder Brendan Ryan starting the year on the 15-day disabled list due to a pinched nerve in his upper back, Girardi and his staff will have to choose two backup infielders from the group of Eduardo Nunez, Dean Anna and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte.

"I always say, 'If you're playing, you have a chance to show us something,'" Girardi said. "It will probably be a long discussion [Friday] on what we feel the best fits are."

There are four vacancies in the bullpen, and two of them appear to be locked in for right-handers David Phelps and Adam Warren. Right-hander Dellin Betances has pitched well this spring but has a Minor League option remaining, giving the club some flexibility.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said that the club would prefer to have an additional left-handed reliever, so Vidal Nuno or Cesar Cabral could win a bullpen spot. Right-handers Matt Daley and Shane Greene also remain in camp.

"We're trying to [narrow it down], because people have to pack and get ready for their season," Girardi said.

Nunez, Anna, Solarte await Yanks' choices

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Eduardo Nunez has not packed one stitch of clothing for the regular season, and probably won't until Saturday. He is one of three Yankees infielders stuck in a holding pattern while the team decides how to finish off the 25-man roster.

"It's funny, but it's not funny," said Nunez, with a laugh.

Nunez, Dean Anna and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte all had one last crack to impress the Yankees' coaches on Thursday, grabbing starts in a 4-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Pirates at McKechnie Field.

Nunez went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Anna and Solarte each went hitless in four at-bats. The Yankees plan to take two of the three and will give the topic a lot of thought and discussion on Friday, when an announcement is expected.

"This was not a great Spring Training for offense, but I'm learning a lot," said the 27-year-old Nunez, who batted .265 this spring. "I got my confidence at third base and second base, too. But I don't worry about my hitting, because I can do better with that."

Nunez has played in 129 career big league games, all with the Yankees, but manager Joe Girardi has said that neither of their two vacancies have been decided. Nunez said that getting the late nod to make the club is not out of the ordinary for him.

"The last two years, they [told] me the last two days of the camp," Nunez said. "So for me, it's not a surprise. I've always been in this situation."

Solarte, 26, was among the Yankees' top offensive players of the spring. A non-roster invitee who played at Triple-A in the Rangers' system the last two years, Solarte hit .415 (17-for-41) with two homers and eight RBIs to put himself on the radar.

"I feel pretty satisfied with the work that I have done, but regarding the chances, that's something I cannot control and I leave that to the Yankees," Solarte said through an interpreter.

Solarte was nearly promoted to the big leagues by the Rangers last September, and said that he would report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he doesn't make the Yankees' Opening Day roster.

"I will take an opportunity, either if it's up here on the team or down in Triple-A," Solarte said. "You just want an opportunity."

Anna, 27, was acquired from the Padres in November after leading the Pacific Coast League with a .331 average last year, and is attending his first big league camp this spring.

He said that he did not feel any added pressure on Thursday, knowing that the Yankees will be judging more than just one game to make their decisions.

"That's over with. That's how I felt the first week, where I needed to do something no matter what," Anna said. "But now it's just, get ready for the season. Whatever happens from here on out, I feel I did pretty well."

Yankees send righty Claiborne to Triple-A

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Preston Claiborne made 44 appearances at the big league level last season for the Yankees, but his stuff never appeared to be quite as crisp this spring, manager Joe Girardi said.

Claiborne was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Wednesday's appearance against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. Claiborne faced six batters and did not record an out, charged with six earned runs on four hits with a walk and hit-by-pitch.

"With what he did last year, we thought that he would have a really good chance of being in our bullpen," Girardi said. "He just really never got on a roll in Spring Training. As we told him, we know he's capable of pitching much better than he did. It's his job just to go get ready."

Claiborne, 26, posted a 4.11 ERA in 50 1/3 big league innings last season. His ERA in seven Grapefruit League appearances this spring was 14.29 (nine runs in 5 2/3 innings), and Girardi said that Claiborne seemed disappointed by the demotion.

"I don't think anyone ever takes the news well," Girardi said. "I think he understood, and he understood that he was not throwing the ball the way that he was capable of. But he was very determined to go fix that."

Bomber bits

• Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (sore right calf) was scheduled to have a workout day on Thursday, then will play in Minor League games on Friday and Saturday, according to Girardi. The Yanks' reports on Ellsbury have been "really, really good," Girardi said.

• Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Alfonso Soriano continues to have maintenance on his stiff right shoulder, which will stretch into the regular season.

"Some of it has to do with years in the big leagues, is probably one way to put it," Girardi said.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nunez, Anna, Solarte await Yanks' choices

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/27/2014 5:09 P.M. ET

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Eduardo Nunez has not packed one stitch of clothing for the regular season, and probably won't until Saturday. He is one of three Yankees infielders stuck in a holding pattern while the team decides how to finish off the 25-man roster.

"It's funny, but it's not funny," said Nunez, with a laugh.

Nunez, Dean Anna and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte all had one last crack to impress the Yankees' coaches on Thursday, grabbing starts in a 4-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Pirates at McKechnie Field.

Nunez went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Anna and Solarte each went hitless in four at-bats. The Yankees plan to take two of the three and will give the topic a lot of thought and discussion on Friday, when an announcement is expected.

"This was not a great Spring Training for offense, but I'm learning a lot," said the 27-year-old Nunez, who batted .265 this spring. "I got my confidence at third base and second base, too. But I don't worry about my hitting, because I can do better with that."

Nunez has played in 129 career big league games, all with the Yankees, but manager Joe Girardi has said that neither of their two vacancies have been decided. Nunez said that getting the late nod to make the club is not out of the ordinary for him.

"The last two years, they [told] me the last two days of the camp," Nunez said. "So for me, it's not a surprise. I've always been in this situation."

Solarte, 26, was among the Yankees' top offensive players of the spring. A non-roster invitee who played at Triple-A in the Rangers' system the last two years, Solarte hit .415 (17-for-41) with two homers and eight RBIs to put himself on the radar.

"I feel pretty satisfied with the work that I have done, but regarding the chances, that's something I cannot control and I leave that to the Yankees," Solarte said through an interpreter.

Solarte was nearly promoted to the big leagues by the Rangers last September, and said that he would report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he doesn't make the Yankees' Opening Day roster.

"I will take an opportunity, either if it's up here on the team or down in Triple-A," Solarte said. "You just want an opportunity."

Anna, 27, was acquired from the Padres in November after leading the Pacific Coast League with a .331 average last year, and is attending his first big league camp this spring.

He said that he did not feel any added pressure on Thursday, knowing that the Yankees will be judging more than just one game to make their decisions.

"That's over with. That's how I felt the first week, where I needed to do something no matter what," Anna said. "But now it's just, get ready for the season. Whatever happens from here on out, I feel I did pretty well."

After cuts, Yankees gear up for final decisions

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Yankees are closing in on their final roster decisions of the spring, shipping 10 more players to Minor League camp and preparing to have lengthy discussions before finalizing their 25-man Opening Day roster on Friday.

New York made seven roster moves after Wednesday's game, optioning right-hander Preston Claiborne and outfielder Zoilo Almonte to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. They also reassigned infielders Russ Canzler and Scott Sizemore, and right-handers David Herndon, Jim Miller and Yoshinori Tateyama to Minor League camp.

The club announced on Thursday that it also reassigned right-handers Danny Burawa and Chris Leroux, as well as left-hander Fred Lewis, to Minor League camp. Thirty-five players remain in big league camp, and manager Joe Girardi said that all of the final decisions will be announced on Friday.

"It's been a fierce camp here, and [they] have had a good camp here," Girardi said. "We always tell them, 'At some point, the phone's going to ring, and you want to be that person who's throwing the best.'"

With infielder Brendan Ryan starting the year on the 15-day disabled list due to a pinched nerve in his upper back, Girardi and his staff will have to choose two backup infielders from the group of Eduardo Nunez, Dean Anna and non-roster invitee Yangervis Solarte.

"I always say, 'If you're playing, you have a chance to show us something,'" Girardi said. "It will probably be a long discussion [Friday] on what we feel the best fits are."

There are four vacancies in the bullpen, and two of them appear to be locked in for right-handers David Phelps and Adam Warren. Right-hander Dellin Betances has pitched well this spring but has a Minor League option remaining, giving the club some flexibility.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said that the club would prefer to have an additional left-handed reliever, so Vidal Nuno or Cesar Cabral could win a bullpen spot. Right-handers Matt Daley and Shane Greene also remain in camp.

"We're trying to [narrow it down], because people have to pack and get ready for their season," Girardi said.

Yankees send righty Claiborne to Triple-A

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Preston Claiborne made 44 appearances at the big league level last season for the Yankees, but his stuff never appeared to be quite as crisp this spring, manager Joe Girardi said.

Claiborne was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Wednesday's appearance against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. Claiborne faced six batters and did not record an out, charged with six earned runs on four hits with a walk and hit-by-pitch.

"With what he did last year, we thought that he would have a really good chance of being in our bullpen," Girardi said. "He just really never got on a roll in Spring Training. As we told him, we know he's capable of pitching much better than he did. It's his job just to go get ready."

Claiborne, 26, posted a 4.11 ERA in 50 1/3 big league innings last season. His ERA in seven Grapefruit League appearances this spring was 14.29 (nine runs in 5 2/3 innings), and Girardi said that Claiborne seemed disappointed by the demotion.

"I don't think anyone ever takes the news well," Girardi said. "I think he understood, and he understood that he was not throwing the ball the way that he was capable of. But he was very determined to go fix that."

Bomber bits

• Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (sore right calf) was scheduled to have a workout day on Thursday, then will play in Minor League games on Friday and Saturday, according to Girardi. The Yanks' reports on Ellsbury have been "really, really good," Girardi said.

• Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Alfonso Soriano continues to have maintenance on his stiff right shoulder, which will stretch into the regular season.

"Some of it has to do with years in the big leagues, is probably one way to put it," Girardi said.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More