Choate’s retirement got me wondering how many members of the 2009 Yankees are still active, and the answer is shockingly few. The Yankees used 45 different players that year and only 13 are still active: Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Francisco Cervelli, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Coke, Mike Dunn, Brett Gardner, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Mark Melancon, Ramiro Pena, David Robertson, and CC Sabathia. Crazy. Time flies, man. Anyway, here are the day’s camp notes:
- Johnny Barbato, J.P. Feyereisen, Chad Green, Jason Gurka, James Kaprielian, Brady Lail, James Reeves, and Masahiro Tanaka all threw bullpen sessions today. I guess that means Green is officially over the elbow woes that sidelined him in September. The guys who didn’t throw went through pitchers’ fielding practice. Everyone’s favorite. [Brendan Kuty]
- Justus Sheffield said he is trying to win a big league rotation spot this spring. “You never know what can happen. I’m going to go out there and give it my all and show everybody what I’m capable of because you never know what opportunities are going to come up,” he said. Good attitude, though I can’t see him winning a big league job. [Randy Miller]
- Brian Cashman was in camp and said what everyone knew already: “We are in a transition but we’re not waving any white flag while we’re transitioning.” He added he is “hoping I’m back in 2018 and 2019.” Cashman’s contract expires after the 2017 season. [Erik Boland, Jack Curry]
- Alex Rodriguez will be in camp as a guest instructor for three days next week. Also, the Yankees brought Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston to camp to talk to their prospects. He basically told them not to make the same mistakes he did. [Marly Rivera, Kuty]
Here is the open thread for the evening. All three local hockey teams are in action, and there are a handful of college basketball games going on as well. Talk about anything except religion and politics here. Have at it.