If it feels like we’ve seen a lot of David Phelps this spring, it’s because we have. Every one of his starts has been broadcast on YES so far, and that will continue today. He’ll be making his fourth start of Grapefruit League play this afternoon as he tries to win a fifth starter’s competition that, frankly, feels like it has already been decided as long as Michael Pineda stays healthy. Phelps is still going to be a big part of the pitching staff this summer though. I’m sure of it.
Half the Yankees are in Panama, but there is still a representative group left in Tampa. Mark Teixeira is playing back-to-back games at first base for the first time this spring, and Brian McCann is playing back-to-back games behind the plate as well. I think he’s done that before though. Russ Canzler, who has an outside chance of winning that last bench job, was supposed to make his first start at third, but was a late scratch with hip stiffness.
The Twins are up from Fort Myers for this afternoon’s game. Ex-Yankee Phil Hughes started yesterday, so we missed him by just a day. Oh well. Kyle Gibson is on the bump for Minnesota and will be backed by a skeleton crew lineup. Here is the lineup third base coach/acting manager Rob Thomson is sending out there (Joe Girardi is in Panama):
- CF Jacoby Ellsbury
- 2B Brian Roberts
- 1B Mark Teixeira
- C Brian McCann
- SS Eduardo Nunez
- LF Ramon Flores
- DH Peter O’Brien
- RF Mason Williams
- 3B Rob Segedin
Available Pitchers: LHP Manny Banuelos, RHP David Herndon, LHP Fred Lewis, and RHP Dellin Betances are all scheduled to come out of the bullpen. RHP Danny Burawa, RHP Mark Montgomery, LHP Aaron Dott, LHP James Pazos, and RHP Branden Pinder are also available if needed.
Available Position Players: C Austin Romine, 1B Francisco Arcia, 2B Rob Refsnyder, SS Carmen Angelini, LF Ben Gamel, CF Jake Cave, and RF Taylor Dugas will be the second string off the bench. C Wes Wilson and UTIL Ali Castillo are also available.
It’s nice and sunny in Tampa with temperatures in the 70s and no threat of rain. Wonderful day for baseball. This afternoon’s game is scheduled to start a little after 1pm ET and you can watch live on YES and MLB.tv. Enjoy.
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