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New York Yankees Bomber Buzz, 3/29/17: Niese Returns, More Roster Cuts

Allison Case •
New York Yankees Bomber Buzz, 3/29/17: Niese Returns, More Roster Cuts
Mar 28, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Fans watch fireworks after the baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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.

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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).

[sc name=”Yankees Center” ]

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.

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.

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.

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!

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Allison Case
Allison Case

Allison is just a girl with an enormous passion for the game of baseball and the written word. Based in Upstate New York, her life-long relationship with the New York Yankees is something that she developed through close relationships with her mother and grandfather. An aspiring sports writer, she graduated with a journalism degree and is finding places to share her excitement about the sporting world and how it affects us all.

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