This afternoon’s game is going to be one of the most Spring Training-iest games we may ever see. The Yankees are on the road in more ways than one — half the team is in Panama and the other half is supposed to travel to Sarasota to play the Orioles. Except most of the regulars who stayed in Florida will not made the hour-long bus trip south. The travel roster for today’s game is as diluted as it can possibly get.
On the mound is left-hander Vidal Nuno, who is making his first Grapefruit League appearance in about two weeks. He’s been throwing simulated games and bullpen sessions, but other pitchers have been drawing the Spring Training starts. It’s pretty obvious at this point Nuno is at best a long shot for the fifth starter’s spot. He could still win a bullpen job, sure, but I think an assignment to Triple-A Scranton to serve as the designated sixth (or seventh) starter is in the cards.
The Orioles’ lineup isn’t much better this afternoon. In fact, their outfield alignment from left to right is former Yankee Steve Pearce, Nelson Cruz, and Delmon Young. Yes, Nelson Cruz is playing center field. That’s as bad a defensive outfield as you’ll ever see. Korean right-hander Suk-Min Yoon is scheduled to throw an inning in today’s game after having his spring debut delayed by visa trouble. The Yankees had some interest in him over the winter. Here’s the lineup acting manager Rob Thomson is sending out there:
- RF Ichiro Suzuki
- 2B Brian Roberts
- 3B Kelly Johnson
- C Austin Romine
- LF Ramon Flores
- CF Mason Williams
- DH Kyle Roller
- SS Carmen Angelini
- 1B Francisco Arcia
That is some lineup. As bad as some of last season’s lineup were, they were never that bad. Nuno will be on the bump and he’s scheduled for four innings or 60 pitches, whichever comes first.
Available Pitchers: RHP Brian Gordon, RHP Mark Montgomery, RHP Danny Burawa, RHP Diego Moreno, and RHP Joel De La Cruz are all scheduled to pitch. Moreno was part of the A.J. Burnett trade and De La Cruz was reported the pitcher Brian Cashman wanted to send to the Cubs for Alfonso Soriano instead of Corey Black. RHP Shane Greene, RHP Manny Barreda, RHP Graham Stoneburner, RHP Branden Pinder, and RHP Charley Short are also available if needed.
Available Position Players: C Peter O’Brien, 1B Zach Wilson, 2B Rob Refsnyder, SS Cito Culver, 3B Rob Segedin, LF Ben Gamel, CF Jake Cave, and RF Taylor Dugas will be the second string off the bench. C Wes Wilson, UTIL Ali Castillo, and IF Dan Fiorito also made the trip.
The weather in New York is just gorgeous today, as is the weather in Sarasota. No clouds, temperatures in the low-70s, no threat of rain. Perfect day, pretty much. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:05pm ET and you can watch live on MLB Network and MLB.tv, or MASN if you’re in the Baltimore area. There is no YES Network broadcast. Enjoy the game.
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