The New York Yankees are inching closer and closer to Opening Day. Here’s the buzz going around the Bronx this Wednesday morning.
Cue the Eminem music because he’s back! After being released on Sunday, southpaw Jon Niese is expected to sign a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees.
The signing of the former New York Mets relief pitcher was reported on Tuesday afternoon by the New York Post’s Yankees beat writer, George A. King III via Twitter.
Jon Niese is returning to the Yankees on a minor league deal. He was released Sunday.
— George A. King III (@GeorgeAKingIII) March 28, 2017
Let me guess, Yankees management. It wasn’t him, it was you? Whatever the case may be, let’s hope the relationship between the two can develop into a shot at the major leagues again soon.
Niese hurled six innings this spring, compiling a 4.50 ERA. While not great, it still wasn’t the worst on the roster by any means. Niese was called in to provide some help in middle relief. Luckily, the Yankees gave him a second chance.
From the not-so-good to the great, staff ace Masahiro Tanaka took the mound in last night’s contest against the Detroit Tigers. However, Tanaka gave up his first runs of the spring.
Despite those two runs given up in five innings, Tanaka still was able to finish the spring off with a stellar 0.38 ERA. Maybe Niese could learn a thing or two from the Final Four candidate for Elite Sports NY’s Mr. NY competition (shameless plug, keep voting).
As the Yankees prepare for Opening Day, the battle for the right field might have just been won. Aaron Hicks has been a worthy opponent but nothing can stop Aaron Judge’s power.
And let me just tell you, he crushed that home run.
Aaron Judge homered off the batter's eye in center field. The race with Aaron Hicks is still too close to call. (We assume.)
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 29, 2017
See how much he wants that job? Hicks may be fast but nobody has the kind of power that Judge has. If you want to delve deeper into the right field battle, check out my colleague Christian Kouroupakis’ column.
New York, while they haven’t officially announced any roster cuts, had Ernesto Frieri, Tyler Wade and Kyle Higashioka clean out their lockers following last night’s contests. All signs point to the three being among the next roster cuts and assigned to minor league camp.
Kyle Higashioka and Tyler Wade have cleaned out their lockers at Steinbrenner Field.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 29, 2017
Last but not least, I want to end these highlights on a note that gets you pumped up for the greatness that is Gary Sanchez.
Michael Fulmer allows a hit to Gary Sanchez but is still the American League Rookie of the Year winner.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) March 28, 2017
That’s right, Detroit Tigers reporter, Anthony Fenech. Sanchez may have lost the MVP race to Michael Fulmer but he also won the war. Better luck next time!