Just one week before Opening Day, there’s some buzz surrounding New York Yankees camp that you should be paying attention to.
In Sunday, March 26, 2017’s edition of New York Yankees Bronx Bomber Buzz, we take a look at the latest news and notes from the team with the best record in spring training.Topping the news today has to be general manager Brian Cashman’s comments on how his coaching staff voted for Gleyber Torres to fill-in for Didi Gregorius as he recovers from his shoulder strain.
“Everybody voted for Gleyber Torres from the coaching staff probably,” Cashman said on the YES Network’s broadcast of New York’s 6-5 win over the Blue Jays on Saturday. “It’s going to come from [Tyler] Wade, Ronald Torreyes maybe [Starlin] Castro. We’re going to see how it all shakes out.”
“You got to keep perspective,” Cashman added. “He’s 20-years old coming out of A-ball never, played in cold weather so we’re excited about what he is and what he’s going to be and his time is coming.”
While Pete Kozma got the win for New York on a walk-off single on Saturday, the focus was on one of the competitors for the 4th and fifth spot in the starting rotation.
Adam Warren, who is still in the running despite being best fitted for a long relief role, surrendered four runs on four hits and two homers against Toronto. He owns an uninspiring 4.80 ERA in 15 innings this spring, and is likely seeing his chances of making the 25-man roster as a starter slip away.
On a lighter note, first baseman Greg Bird is not in jeopardy of losing a starting role. In fact, he has already secured it and is on an absolute tear this spring.
In 19 spring games, the 24-year-old has hit seven home runs (tied with Peter O’Brien for the best in the majors) and has totaled 15 extra base hits — the most in major league baseball.
Over the last four games, Bird has gone 6-for-10 with three home runs, six RBI’s and has totaled 17 bases. He also went 1-for-1 with two walks on Saturday with a home run off Mat Latos.
As for what’s next, New York will remain at George M. Steinbrenner Field for Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays.
It’s an important start for the Yankees probable starter Bryan Mitchell, as this could be his last outing of the spring. The righty owns a 3.86 ERA in six spring games and is in competition for one of the final two rotation spots.
That’ll do it for your daily fix of New York Yankees news. Tune into ESNY on Monday to kick off your week with yet another dose of Bronx Bomber Buzz.