Healthy Beltran ready to prove himself again

NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran said that he has regained flexibility in his right elbow, and the Yankees outfielder is hitting and throwing freely as he prepares to report to Spring Training next month.

Beltran spoke to the YES Network recently while working out in Florida, and he said that he has been able to go through his full winter program following surgery on Sept. 30 to remove loose pieces and a bone spur from the elbow.

"The strengthening program, you know, we kind of basically did everything," Beltran said. "So the range of motion is there, bending is there. That's the most important part of rehab, trying to be able to get that range of motion back."

Beltran batted .233 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 109 games last season, his first with the Yankees. He was limited to just 31 starts in the outfield because of the elbow injury, making 76 starts as the designated hitter, and he's being counted on as the Yanks' Opening Day right fielder in 2015.

With two years and $30 million remaining on his deal with the Yankees, Beltran is set to turn 38 in April, and he said that he has made some concessions to age in his offseason training.

"There were things that I used to do that I don't do now," Beltran said. "I used to go to the track a lot and do a lot of jumping, a lot of running. But now I don't do that; I do it in the pool, less impact. I try to train smart."

An eight-time All-Star who leads all active switch-hitters in runs (1,392), hits (2,322), homers (373) and RBIs (1,376), Beltran acknowledged that he sometimes looks at his career statistics for a reminder of what he is capable of. He said that his subpar 2014 season is factoring into his motivation.

"I've always been motivated," Beltran said. "Last year was such a crazy year for me with the injury, trying to play through it. I didn't have the year that I was looking forward to having. This year, I just feel like I need to prove myself again. That's how it is."

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 finalize one-year deal with Drew

Drew, who turns 32 in March, is looking to bounce back after a lost 2014 campaign in which he rejected a qualifying offer from the Red Sox and missed Spring Training before eventually re-signing with Boston. He did not appear in a big league game until June 2.

The Yankees hope that with a regular offseason and spring, Drew will be able to return to the form he showed as Boston's starting shortstop in 2013, when he helped the club to a World Series title by batting .253 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs in 124 games.

"As we've seen, players that have missed all of Spring Training and as much time as that, it becomes difficult to try to catch up," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Friday. "I think that's the mistake that players try to do, they try to catch up too quickly. It can be a difficult situation. I think you'll see a really good Stephen Drew."

After struggling with the Red Sox, batting .176 in 39 games, Drew was traded to the Yankees on July 31 in exchange for infielder Kelly Johnson. Playing second base for the first time in his professional career, Drew batted .150 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 46 games for New York.

Drew is regarded as a capable shortstop, but the Yankees acquired Didi Gregorius from the D-backs in December, so Drew is expected to see the majority of his time at second base. Girardi said that having both Drew and defensive specialist Brendan Ryan on the roster should benefit Gregorius.

"It's nice having a veteran shortstop presence with him and Brendan for a young kid like Didi," Girardi said. "Guys that have played the position. You look at Stephen Drew, he has played on a world championship team. He understands what it's like to play in the American League East, and so does Brendan Ryan. I think it's going to be really helpful to Didi."

Prior to the agreement with Drew, the Yankees had said that they were comfortable going forward with a competition for second base that would have included 23-year-old Rob Refsnyder and 25-year-old Jose Pirela, both of whom will be in camp this spring.

"They're still going to have an opportunity to show me a lot, because our roster could change between now and Opening Day," Girardi said. "Sometimes there's injuries to deal with, as we've seen in the past. They're going to have a chance to make the team.

"Obviously, when you put someone like Stephen Drew in front of them, I understand that's probably extremely frustrating, but [they need to] just continue to work extremely hard and your opportunity is going to come."

In order to create room for Drew on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated outfielder Eury Perez for assignment. Perez, 24, appeared in four September games for the Yankees last season, logging two hits in 10 at-bats.

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.

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Yanks avoid arb with Pineda, Carpenter, Eovaldi

NEW YORK -- The Yankees agreed to one-year contracts with their three remaining arbitration-eligible players on Friday, coming to terms with right-handers David Carpenter, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda.

Carpenter and the club agreed at $1.275 million, while Eovaldi will earn $3.3 million and Pineda will receive $2.1 million for the 2015 season. Eovaldi's agreement has not been officially announced by the club.

New York has not had a case proceed to the arbitration stage since 2008, when it defeated Chien-Ming Wang.

Carpenter, 29, was acquired from the Braves in a New Year's Day trade and projects to handle the sixth or seventh innings. He was 6-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 65 appearances for Atlanta last year, owning a 3.62 career ERA in 188 games over four big league seasons.

Eovaldi, who turns 25 in February, came to the Yankees in a Dec. 19 trade with the Marlins and will slot at the back end of the rotation. He was 6-14 with a 4.37 ERA in 33 starts for Miami last year, logging 199 2/3 innings and permitting a National League-leading 233 hits. Eovaldi owns a 4.07 ERA in 83 career big league games (79 starts) dating back to 2011.

Pineda, who turns 26 on Sunday, made 13 starts in his first season of on-field duty with the Yankees, going 5-5 with a 1.89 ERA while missing more than three months with a right shoulder injury. In 76 1/3 innings, Pineda issued just seven walks and struck out 59 batters while holding opponents to a .200 average.

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.

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Yanks avoid arb with Pineda, Carpenter, Eovaldi

NEW YORK -- The Yankees agreed to one-year contracts with their three remaining arbitration-eligible players on Friday, coming to terms with right-handers David Carpenter, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda.

Carpenter and the club agreed at $1.275 million, while Eovaldi will earn $3.3 million and Pineda will receive $2.1 million for the 2015 season. Eovaldi's agreement has not been officially announced by the club.

New York has not had a case proceed to the arbitration stage since 2008, when it defeated Chien-Ming Wang.

Carpenter, 29, was acquired from the Braves in a New Year's Day trade and projects to handle the sixth or seventh innings. He was 6-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 65 appearances for Atlanta last year, owning a 3.62 career ERA in 188 games over four big league seasons.

Eovaldi, who turns 25 in February, came to the Yankees in a Dec. 19 trade with the Marlins and will slot at the back end of the rotation. He was 6-14 with a 4.37 ERA in 33 starts for Miami last year, logging 199 2/3 innings and permitting a National League-leading 233 hits. Eovaldi owns a 4.07 ERA in 83 career big league games (79 starts) dating back to 2011.

Pineda, who turns 26 on Sunday, made 13 starts in his first season of on-field duty with the Yankees, going 5-5 with a 1.89 ERA while missing more than three months with a right shoulder injury. In 76 1/3 innings, Pineda issued just seven walks and struck out 59 batters while holding opponents to a .200 average.

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.

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Healthy Beltran ready to prove himself again

NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran said that he has regained flexibility in his right elbow, and the Yankees outfielder is hitting and throwing freely as he prepares to report to Spring Training next month.

Beltran spoke to the YES Network recently while working out in Florida, and he said that he has been able to go through his full winter program following surgery on Sept. 30 to remove loose pieces and a bone spur from the elbow.

"The strengthening program, you know, we kind of basically did everything," Beltran said. "So the range of motion is there, bending is there. That's the most important part of rehab, trying to be able to get that range of motion back."

Beltran batted .233 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 109 games last season, his first with the Yankees. He was limited to just 31 starts in the outfield because of the elbow injury, making 76 starts as the designated hitter, and he's being counted on as the Yanks' Opening Day right fielder in 2015.

With two years and $30 million remaining on his deal with the Yankees, Beltran is set to turn 38 in April, and he said that he has made some concessions to age in his offseason training.

"There were things that I used to do that I don't do now," Beltran said. "I used to go to the track a lot and do a lot of jumping, a lot of running. But now I don't do that; I do it in the pool, less impact. I try to train smart."

An eight-time All-Star who leads all active switch-hitters in runs (1,392), hits (2,322), homers (373) and RBIs (1,376), Beltran acknowledged that he sometimes looks at his career statistics for a reminder of what he is capable of. He said that his subpar 2014 season is factoring into his motivation.

"I've always been motivated," Beltran said. "Last year was such a crazy year for me with the injury, trying to play through it. I didn't have the year that I was looking forward to having. This year, I just feel like I need to prove myself again. That's how it is."

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.

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Yankees finalize one-year deal with Drew

Drew, who turns 32 in March, is looking to bounce back after a lost 2014 campaign in which he rejected a qualifying offer from the Red Sox and missed Spring Training before eventually re-signing with Boston. He did not appear in a big league game until June 2.

The Yankees hope that with a regular offseason and spring, Drew will be able to return to the form he showed as Boston's starting shortstop in 2013, when he helped the club to a World Series title by batting .253 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs in 124 games.

"As we've seen, players that have missed all of Spring Training and as much time as that, it becomes difficult to try to catch up," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Friday. "I think that's the mistake that players try to do, they try to catch up too quickly. It can be a difficult situation. I think you'll see a really good Stephen Drew."

After struggling with the Red Sox, batting .176 in 39 games, Drew was traded to the Yankees on July 31 in exchange for infielder Kelly Johnson. Playing second base for the first time in his professional career, Drew batted .150 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 46 games for New York.

Drew is regarded as a capable shortstop, but the Yankees acquired Didi Gregorius from the D-backs in December, so Drew is expected to see the majority of his time at second base. Girardi said that having both Drew and defensive specialist Brendan Ryan on the roster should benefit Gregorius.

"It's nice having a veteran shortstop presence with him and Brendan for a young kid like Didi," Girardi said. "Guys that have played the position. You look at Stephen Drew, he has played on a world championship team. He understands what it's like to play in the American League East, and so does Brendan Ryan. I think it's going to be really helpful to Didi."

Prior to the agreement with Drew, the Yankees had said that they were comfortable going forward with a competition for second base that would have included 23-year-old Rob Refsnyder and 25-year-old Jose Pirela, both of whom will be in camp this spring.

"They're still going to have an opportunity to show me a lot, because our roster could change between now and Opening Day," Girardi said. "Sometimes there's injuries to deal with, as we've seen in the past. They're going to have a chance to make the team.

"Obviously, when you put someone like Stephen Drew in front of them, I understand that's probably extremely frustrating, but [they need to] just continue to work extremely hard and your opportunity is going to come."

In order to create room for Drew on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated outfielder Eury Perez for assignment. Perez, 24, appeared in four September games for the Yankees last season, logging two hits in 10 at-bats.

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.

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Steinbrenner: Yanks might not be done making moves

Thus far, the Yankees have re-signed two of their own free agents -- third baseman Chase Headley and middle infielder Stephen Drew -- plus added left-hander Andrew Miller to the bullpen and made several significant trades, including one with the D-backs for 24-year-old shortstop Didi Gregorius. Last season's closer, David Robertson, left via free agency, and captain Derek Jeter has retired, taking that money off the books. The Bombers had the second-highest payroll ($197.2 million) in the Major Leagues last year, but they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Steinbrenner has vowed to get back to the postseason while trying to keep the payroll in the same range, perhaps precluding the signing of high-end free-agent pitchers Max Scherzer and James Shields, who are both still on the market. The Yankees went into the offseason with $171.3 million committed to 12 players, leaving them little wiggle room to add another big contract.

"[But] having said that, we're still the New York Yankees, all you guys know that," Steinbrenner said. "We know what the fans expect. We know what the town expects. We're not going to be afraid to spend money."

Last offseason, the Yanks committed to $486 million in free-agent contracts, mostly tied to the long-term signings of pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, catcher Brian McCann and outfielder Carlos Beltran. They also are near the back ends of expensive deals with first baseman Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia.

All that spending may have tied the club's hands to a certain extent.

"It's obvious that when you know you have a certain amount of payroll each year that's not coming off the books, it gets more difficult," Steinbrenner said. "Having said that, most of those players have been great for us. Two or three years from now, there is going to be some more flexibility. At the same time, I want to have the player development there. I want the players, the young players, and now they're starting to come. I think the years ahead, player-development-wise, are certainly going to be considerably better than they have been, and we're excited about it. That gives you the flexibility. That and the money coming off."

Steinbrenner added that he was comfortable with the moves general manager Brian Cashman has already made.

"It's been busy," Steinbrenner said. "We had numerous goals. Two of the goals were certainly to get younger and get better defensively. I think we did that. I think our bullpen is better. I think it's one of the best in baseball, quite frankly in my opinion. So there have been some improvements. We started out with a payroll that was already high before we did anything. We had a certain amount of dollars to work with, and I think Cash did a great job. There's just a certain amount I'm going to go. You all know my opinions about payroll -- where you should be and really where you don't need to be to win championships."

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees sticking to fiscal restraint, so far

In this way, these are not your father's Yankees -- or the Yankees of Hal Steinbrenner's father, George M. Steinbrenner III. There was a time, not that long ago, when, if confronted by the apparent need to spend money, the Yanks' fiscal philosophy seemed to be: Whatever it takes.

The Yankees, on Hal Steinbrenner's watch, have not been particularly chintzy. Last winter, they committed to $486 million worth of free-agent contracts. These deals did not appear to be the acts of an organization intent upon operating on the cheap.

After 13 straight seasons of having the highest player payroll in the Major Leagues, the Yankees dropped into second place in 2014. But their payroll was still close to $200 million. This drop of one place in the salary standings said more about the Dodgers expanding their horizons, with a new deep-pocket ownership and a local TV rights bonanza, than it did about the Yanks.

Still, the Yankees missed the postseason for the second straight season. This is simply not supposed to happen and had not happened since the last century.

Teams spending far less than the Yankees enjoyed more success. The small-market Kansas City Royals, winners of the American League pennant and back in the postseason for the first time in 29 years, come readily to mind.

The Yankees have re-signed third baseman Chase Headley and middle infielder Stephen Drew. They have traded for shortstop Didi Gregorius, who has the completely unenviable task of following not only a legend but a Yanks legend.

The Yankees lost their 2014 closer, David Robertson, but compensated with other acquisitions. They signed free-agent lefty reliever Andrew Miller, a prize in this offseason's market. The Yanks further bolstered the bullpen with the additions of David Carpenter and Justin Wilson. With flame-throwing Dellin Betances returning, the Yankees have reason to believe that the bullpen will be an area of strength.

Yanks acquire David Carpenter

Yankees acquire Carpenter, Shreve from Braves

Bryan Hoch talks Yankees 'pen after the club acquired David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve from the Braves for pitching prospect Manny Banuelos

"We had numerous goals," Steinbrenner said of the offseason. "Two of the goals were certainly to get younger and get better defensively. I think we did that. I think our bullpen is better. I think it's one of the best in baseball, quite frankly in my opinion. So there have been some improvements.

"We started out with a payroll that was already high before we did anything. We had a certain amount of dollars to work with, and I think Cash did a great job. There's just a certain amount I'm going to go. You all know my opinions about payroll -- where you should be and really where you don't need to be to win championships."

The days of dynasties are no longer with us, unless you count the Giants winning everything every other year. But the Yankees still lead the league in high expectations. And in that package of expectations is the thought that the Yanks will spend whatever it takes to field the ultimate winning club.

"We know what the fans expect," Steinbrenner said. "We know what the town expects. We're not going to be afraid to spend money."

Scherzer market slow to develop

Top pitching free agent Scherzer remains unsigned

MLB.com's Tim McMaster and Jeff Nelson discuss the market for free agent ace Max Scherzer as Spring Training looms just around the corner

That issue may very well come down to this situation: The Yankees have a rotation full of health questions. As Spring Training draws nearer, will they still be taking the long view of their team's development? Or will they do what was in the recent past the standard Yankee thing to do?

Will they spend a possibly precedent-shattering amount of money on Scherzer? Or a truly substantial amount of money on James Shields? Either expenditure would be more like business as usual for the Yanks.

In the absence of that, people talking about baseball teams lavishing astounding amounts of money are going to be left talking about the Dodgers and whoever signs Scherzer. The Yankees will be praised for their relative restraint -- unless they don't make the postseason again.

Mike Bauman is a national columnist for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Pentland up for task of turning around Yanks' offense

"Once you start this gig, it never stops," Pentland said Thursday. "It goes all the way to the end of the season, and the hitting coach's job is never done. You just prepare and you're not always copacetic with every player, but the only thing that matters is to be able to communicate and be there and help them through the tough spots, which there are plenty in this game."

Having worked last season as the Marlins' organizational hitting coordinator, Pentland has previously served as a hitting coach with the Marlins (1996), Cubs (1997-2002), Royals (2003-05), Mariners (2006-08) and Dodgers (2008-11). General manager Brian Cashman said that Pentland came highly recommended and that "everything came out roses" in the interview process.

Among Pentland's former pupils is Carlos Beltran; they worked together in Kansas City. Beltran batted .233 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in an injury-marred first season with the Yanks, and Pentland believes Beltran will offer more production in 2015.

"I had Carlos when he was obviously a little younger, but him and I had a great rapport, and I'm sure that will continue," Pentland said. "He was a tremendous athlete. Obviously he's not 25 anymore, but there's plenty left in him. His experience and his knowledge of hitting [are helpful], and he's been in New York before. We've just got to keep him healthy."

Pentland has similar hopes for Mark Teixeira, who batted just .216 last season and has seen his numbers sag due to injuries and aggressive defensive shifting. Pentland said that if any changes were to be made with players' swings, it would be done during Spring Training.

"The shift becomes almost a mental block sometimes," Pentland said. "It's not only the Yankees, it's a lot of teams that are going through that situation. You can't completely change players, but we certainly could talk about it and work on it and make them understand. Sometimes you've got to think more in the middle of the diamond rather than focus on so much pull. But obviously that's something between me and the player."

The Yankees are unsure of what to expect from Alex Rodriguez, and they have been cautious about counting on him as a third baseman or a designated hitter, but Pentland is looking for production from Rodriguez as he returns from his season-long suspension.

"I saw him in his first professional games and in the instructional league," Pentland said. "He's been a tremendous talent over the years. I'm looking forward to being around him and being with him. Him and I have talked over the years, just 'Hi' and 'Hello' kind of conversations, but I have a great deal of respect for his career and what he's done. I have a great deal of respect for him. I hope he has a successful season, and I'll be there for him."

Pentland will have the help of Alan Cockrell, who was named as the club's assistant hitting coach last week. Several candidates interviewed by the Yanks opined that the hitting coach position has grown too large for one man to handle, a stance that Pentland agreed with.

"The technical ability of video and TVs and statistics, it's just become overwhelming," Pentland said. "As hitting coaches, we have to weed out information to give the hitters a simple approach. When you're sitting in there against 95 [mph], your brain can't do a whole lot. It has to be focused on the ball."

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

Betances, Miller set to anchor Yanks' strong bullpen

"It was a lights-out bullpen, and I think that's very important that you have that to be successful," Girardi said. "Games are going to be a lot closer. Offense is not [at a high level]. It's not going to be the offenses that it's been in the past. The game has changed."

That viewpoint was reflected in the Yankees' winter moves, taking on a bullpen reconstruction that was highlighted by signing left-hander Andrew Miller to a four-year, $36 million deal in December. With Miller joining All-Star Dellin Betances, the Yanks believe they will possess a dominant one-two punch for the late innings.

"Obviously, I'm biased when it comes to the ability of a bullpen to impact games, but I saw the way Boston won the World Series [in 2013]," Miller said. "I thought with Baltimore, we had a really, really good group out there, and then obviously the talk of the town is what the Royals did."

Yankees sign Andrew Miller

Jim Duquette breaks down Andrew Miller's signing

Jim Duquette weighs in on reliever Andrew Miller signing a four-year deal worth $36 million with the Yankees

Miller was one of the game's best setup men with the Red Sox and Orioles last year, when he had a 2.02 ERA in 73 games. He wields a nasty fastball-slider combo that is tough on both lefties and righties, holding opponents to a .600 overall WHIP and striking out 14.87 batters per nine innings -- an eye-popping number that trailed only the Reds' Aroldis Chapman (17.67) in 2014.

The signing included a compensatory Draft pick, and the Yankees preferred that package over retaining David Robertson, who instead signed with the White Sox. Improbably, the Yanks will be installing their fourth closer in four seasons when they decide between Betances and Miller, a competition that could provide a sidebar to Spring Training.

"For me, I think I would just try to treat everything the same," Betances said. "No matter what happens -- if it's the seventh, eighth, ninth, fifth -- I'm going to try to treat it the same way. I know obviously it's a different role, but I'm just looking forward to help the team win, no matter what situation they want me in."

While the Yankees' bullpen was considered a strength in 2014, particularly in the strikeout department, there is room for improvement; Bombers relievers ranked 19th in the Majors in ERA and 18th in slugging percentage. Girardi and pitching coach Larry Rothschild hope some other new faces will provide a boost.

"Over the years, we've prided ourselves on putting together a quality bullpen, and that's proven out," general manager Brian Cashman said.

Yanks acquire Carpenter, Shreve

Yankees bolster bullpen by adding Carpenter, Shreve

On January 1, the Yankees traded pitching prospect Manny Banuelos to the Atlanta Braves for relievers David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve

David Carpenter was acquired from the Braves on New Year's Day, and with a fastball that sits at 95-96 mph and a plus slider, the 29-year-old righty projects to fit nicely into the sixth or seventh innings, a role that was filled by Shawn Kelley last year.

Carpenter had a 3.54 ERA in 65 outings last year, and he comes with a good recommendation from Brian McCann, who caught the hurler's excellent 2013 campaign with Atlanta. Carpenter is particularly tough on righties, and the Yanks are encouraged that Carpenter's strikeout-to-walk ratio was nearly identical in '13 and '14, suggesting that his sparkling '13 ERA of 1.78 can be replicated.

Adam Warren will prepare for Spring Training as a starter, but he would be available in relief if needed. Esmil Rogers had a 4.68 ERA in 18 appearances for the Yankees last year and agreed to a one-year, $1.48 million deal to return. Having started and relieved in his big league career, the 29-year-old Rogers could be used as a swingman of sorts.

To increase their depth, the Yanks have continued adding prospects and making smaller moves. This week, Chris Martin, a towering right-hander with an interesting backstory (late to pro ball, his career includes warehouse stints at Lowe's and UPS), was acquired in a cash deal from the Rockies. He has showed good strikeout and ground-ball ratios in a brief taste of big league duty.

Martin is one of six relievers on the 40-man roster with Minor League options remaining, joining Dan Burawa, Branden Pinder, Jose Ramirez, Chase Whitley and lefty Chasen Shreve -- acquired with Carpenter from Atlanta. That sets up what could be an entertaining spring competition for the seventh and final bullpen spot.

They'll be joined by former All-Star Andrew Bailey, who is attempting to come back from right shoulder surgery. The Yankees are excited about their young hurlers on the rise, a group paced by lefty Jacob Lindgren, the team's first selection in the 2014 Draft. Officials will keep tabs on how Johnny Barbato, Nick Goody, Mark Montgomery, James Pazos, Nick Rumbelow and Tyler Webb handle their Grapefruit League action.

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.

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