In this very space, one week from right now, you’ll see the very first game story of the year. I’m imagining it right now. CC going six strong, Robertson, Marte, Joba, and Mo closing it out, Jeter providing a key base hit, A-Rod taking one over the monster. All that stands in our way of realizing the most joyous day on the calendar, Opening Day, is the final week of spring training. As has been the case all spring to this point, it figures to be a quiet one.
We enter the final week of spring training with all roster questions answered. The Yankees resolved the issue of 13 pitchers for 12 spots by releasing Chad Gaudin. They named Phil Hughes the fifth starter and moved Joba Chamberlain to the bullpen, perhaps permanently. They returned Jamie Hoffmann, implicitly naming Marcus Thames the righty off the bench. They sent Kevin Russo to minor league camp, making Ramiro Pena the utility infielder. In other words, the 25-man is set. The only issue left is of whether Brett Gardner or Curtis Granderson plays center field. It figures to be Granderson, while it also sounds like Gardner will play the outfield every day as well.
The last week, then, will act as a tune-up. The starters will get the last of their work in, and the relievers will get into their rhythms. Maybe Andy Pettitte will get a few real innings before his debut at Fenway Park next Wednesday. Marcus Thames will probably continue to get at-bats against lefties. That’s about it, though. This last week could end up being a long one. It’s almost like the regular season. The team has few players in camp who won’t make the 25-man roster, making it feel real. But it’s not.
We’ll get to watch a few of these games, thankfully. Half of Tuesday’s split-squad game, the night cap, will be on YES. Unfortunately, CC Sabathia’s final spring start comes on the road that afternoon. The following evening we’ll get a 1:05 game on YES and ESPN, and the same applies to the final intersquad spring game on Friday. Saturday the Yanks take on their minor league squad. It’s not officially scheduled for TV, but with all the cancellations this spring I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on YES. From there it’s to Boston, where we’ll kick off the 2010 season on ESPN2 (ESPN2?!?!?) at 8 p.m.
For our part, we’ve got a few things lined up to keep things interesting in the final exhibition week. We’ll hit on some odds and ends to finish our 2010 season preview, and then we’ll be profiling the competition in the AL East. So bear with us. It might feel like a long week, but the payoff will be totally worth it.
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