The Yankees picked up their first win of the Grapefruit League season this afternoon. One day after Greg Bird went 2-for-2 with a double, Luke Voit went 2-for-3 with a long home run (video). Landed on the roof of the Hooters Tiki Bar beyond the left-center field wall. Seems fitting. Tyler Wade went 3-for-3 with two loud opposite field doubles. I thought both had a chance to leave the yard. He has three doubles in two games so far. Clint Frazier went 0-for-4 and Matt Lipka went 1-for-2 with a homer. He is 2-for-5 with a double and a homer through two games. It’s happening.
Jonathan Loaisiga made the start and struck out two in two scoreless innings. Trevor Stephan faced six batters and gave up three home runs, all to projected big leaguers (Willy Adames, Mike Zunino, Austin Meadows). Ouch. Stephen Tarpley may be this year’s Spring Training closer. He got the save in the ninth. Here are the box score and video highlights (hopefully MLB.com makes their videos embeddable soon), and here are today’s notes from Spring Training:
- Following the game Voit said he’s focusing on his defense this spring. “My goal this year is obviously to win a World Series, but to make my defense night and day. I want to win a Gold Glove. That’s kind of my mindset,” he said. Yesterday Aaron Boone said he considers Greg Bird the better defender, but noted Voit’s improved in the field. [Erik Boland]
- Back in Tampa, Danny Farquhar was among those to face hitters in a simulated game. His wife and three kids were in the stands. “I told them I wanted them to be in the stands. Just to see my family, my kids so happy and just enjoying themselves, it gives me that extra boost of energy,” he said. I have to think every day on the field is special for them. [Mark Didtler]
- Masahiro Tanaka was among those to throw a bullpen session. Here’s some video. He’s starting Tuesday. I wonder if we’ll see that new pause in his delivery in games. Would be fun as long as he doesn’t sacrifice stuff or command. It’d give Tanaka another way to mess with hitters.
- Luis Severino threw a simulated game yesterday and said the plan is to throw one more simulated game before appearing in a Grapefruit League game. That puts him on track to make his spring debut early next week sometime. Seems like the Yankees are taking it easy Severino early this spring. Never a bad idea. [George King]
The Yankees are back in action tomorrow with their Grapefruit League home opener. James Paxton will be on the mound and the day’s main event. Boone told Erik Boland both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will make their spring debuts as well. Fun fun fun. Tomorrow’s game is another 1:05pm ET start. The game will air live on YES and MLB.tv.