Greg Bird kept pace with Luke Voit with an opposite field three-run home run. “It’s like a righty hit it,” said Aaron Boone to Coley Harvey, referring to how quickly the ball left the yard. Bird and Voit are a combined 5-for-9 (.555) with a double and two homers this spring. Aaron Hicks stroked a double and Gleyber Torres had a single. That’s about all there was to see offensively. Here is the box score and here are the day’s notes from Tampa:
- J.A. Happ was scheduled to start tomorrow but apparently he will start Friday instead. Not sure what that’s about or who’s starting tomorrow in his place. Probably one of the minor leaguers or non-roster guys. Anyway, James Paxton will start Saturday’s game. [Randy Miller]
- Danny Farquhar threw a simulated game today and is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday. “I saw my name on the board for Saturday and I was freaking out this morning when I saw it. I’m so excited,” he said. Alas, Saturday’s game will not be televised. [Mark Didtler]
- Who’s impressed Boone so far during Grapefruit League play? Kyle Holder. “(He’s) been a guy that continues to grab our attention. He’s such a gifted defender, and he looks a little stronger this year and that bat continues to come along,” said the manager. [George King]
- Clint Frazier has been working with hitting coach Marcus Thames to widen his batting stance. The intention is to help him see the ball better and let it travel a little deeper, and also get around better on inside fastballs. [Pete Caldera]
The Yankees will be back at it tomorrow afternoon at home against the Pirates. That game will not be televised. We won’t see the Yankees again until Sunday.