Open Thread: April 1st Camp Notes

The Yankees lost 3-0 to the Rays this afternoon. Chase Whitley started and was really good, allowing one run on four hits in four innings. He struck out six and walked zero. At this point I would be surprised if Whitley wasn’t in the Opening Day bullpen. Esmil Rogers (1.1 innings) and Chasen Shreve (0.2 innings) each allowed an unearned run. Nick Rumbelow faced the minimum six hitters in his two innings of work and struck out three.

Singles by Brett Gardner, Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira, and Ramon Flores were the team’s only hits of the day. Alex Rodriguez, John Ryan Murphy, Brendan Ryan, and Chase Headley drew the four walks. Jacoby Ellsbury went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his return to game action after missing two weeks with an oblique issue. He seemed to be moving around just fine. Here’s the box score, here are the video highlights, and here are the rest of the day’s notes from Tampa:

• Ryan suffered a right calf strain this afternoon and Joe Girardi said he would “be surprised” if his backup infielder is healthy in time for Opening Day. Stephen Drew will play shortstop in one of tomorrow’s split squad games just so he could be an option there with Ryan and Didi Gregorius (wrist) banged up. [Dan Barbarisi, Bryan Hoch]
• Speaking of Gregorius, he went through a full round of workouts this afternoon. Ground balls, batting practice, the works. He said he could have played today but the Yankees didn’t want to push it. Gregorius will play shortstop in the other split squad game tomorrow. [Chad Jennings]
• The rotation for the rest of spring: Michael Pineda and Bryan Mitchell (tomorrow’s split squad games), CC Sabathia (Friday), and Nathan Eovaldi (Saturday). I assume Adam Warren, who was officially named the fifth starter, will throw in a simulated or minor league game Sunday to stay on turn. Everyone’s lined up to make their first start of the season on extra rest. [Jennings]
• Jose Pirela (concussion) is a “long shot” to be ready for Opening Day. He feels fine and could resume swinging a bat tomorrow, but for now he’s limited to riding a stationary bike. A-Rod will play first base tomorrow. [Brendan Kuty, Marly Rivera, Hoch]
• The Blue Jays have set their rotation. The Yankees will see Drew Hutchison, R.A. Dickey, and Daniel Norris in their first series of the season next week. [Gregor Chisholm]

This is your open thread for the night. This afternoon’s game will be replayed on both YES (11pm ET) and MLB Network (12pm ET). The Knicks and Nets are playing each other as well. Use this thread to talk about whatever you like.