Open Thread: 3/28 Camp Notes

The Yankees and Braves played to a 5-5 tie today. Hiroki Kuroda was fantastic yet again, allowing two runs in seven super-efficient innings. George Kontos surrendered the game-tying, two-run homer to Jason Heyward in the bottom of the ninth, the only runs he allowed in his two innings of work.

Eduardo Nunez (two hits) and Eric Chavez (three hits) drove the offense (one double each). Jayson Nix had a pair of hits off the bench. Raul Ibanez went for 1-for-3 with a bloop single but it should have been 2-for-3 with a bloop single and a homer. Heyward climbed the wall in right and took the dinger away from him (video). Poor Raul can’t catch a break. Here’s the box score and here’s the latest from Tampa…

• Nick Swisher (groin) got ten at-bats against Manny Banuelos and Brett Marshall in minor league camp today. They went single to center, ground out, swinging strikeout, ground out, fly out to right, single to right, double down the left field line, walk, homer, walk. Swisher reported no soreness or pain afterwards. Give Conor Foley a follow on Twitter, he provided the play-by-play.
• Ivan Nova will pitch in a minor league game tomorrow to keep the Orioles from seeing him. D.J. Mitchell will start in his place with David Phelps picking up the slack out of the bullpen. Freddy Garcia is likely to pitch in a minor league game on Friday. [Chad Jennings]
• We known CC Sabathia and Kuroda will start the first two games of the season, but Girardi said today that the rest of the rotation will be decided within “three or four days.” I’m putting my money on Nova, Michael Pineda, and Phil Hughes following Sabathia and Kuroda, in that order. [Erik Boland]
• In case you were sleeping like a normal person and missed it this morning, the 2012 MLB season officially started in Japan. The Mariners beat the Athletics 3-1 in ten innings (box score). Jesus Montero went 0-for-4 with three ground outs and a fly out, so clearly the Yankees have won the trade.

Here is your open thread for the evening. The Rangers, Knicks, and Nets are all playing tonight, but talk about whatever you like here. Go nuts.