Now that Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Manny Banuelos, and Mark Teixeira have made their Spring Training debuts, I feel like all the major milestones have passed. Well, we still haven’t seen Pineda pitch in a televised game, but that’ll happen Thursday. Eyes were on those guys for obvious reasons these last few weeks and now that they’ve all gotten their first games under the belt, it’s back to business as usual and preparing for the season.
Kelly Johnson will start this afternoon’s game at first base for the first time this spring and only the third time in his career. He played three games (two starts) and 18 total innings at first last season, his only other experience at the position. Given the roster, Johnson is Teixeira’s backup at first pretty much by default, so learning the position and getting comfortable around the bag will be pretty important. His first real test of the spring is today.
The Rays are up from Port Charlotte for this afternoon’s game and they brought a pretty representative squad. Desmond Jennings, Matt Joyce, Wil Myers, James Loney, Ryan Hanigan, and Jose Molina all made the trip. Former Yankee Jayson Nix will be in the starting lineup as well. Chris Archer, who dominated the Yankees in three starts last summer (three runs and 12 hits in 22 innings), will be on the mound. Here is Joe Girardi’s starting lineup:
- CF Jacoby Ellsbury
- SS Derek Jeter
- RF Carlos Beltran
- C Brian McCann
- LF Alfonso Soriano
- 1B Kelly Johnson
- 2B Brian Roberts
- DH Ichiro Suzuki
- 3B Yangervis Solarte
And on the mound is right-hander David Phelps, whose has some more serious competition for the fifth starter’s spot now that Pineda is pitching in games. Phelps is likely scheduled for four innings or 60-65 pitches, give or take.
Available Pitchers: RHP Dellin Betances, RHP Mark Montgomery, RHP Bruce Billings, RHP Danny Burawa, and RHP Matt Daley are all scheduled to pitch. RHP Preston Claiborne, RHP Branden Pinder, LHP Jeremy Bleich, and SwP Pat Venditte are the extra arms.
Available Position Players: C J.R. Murphy, 1B Russ Canzler, 2B Zelous Wheeler, SS Dean Anna, 3B Jose Pirela, LF Ramon Flores, CF Mason Williams, RF Adonis Garcia, and DH Jose Gil will be the second string off the bench. C Francisco Arcia, C Peter O’Brien, C Gary Sanchez, IF Corban Joseph, OF Zoilo Almonte, and OF Antoan Richardson are also available if needed.
It’s nice and sunny down in Tampa, with temperatures in the mid-70s. No chance of rain or anything like that. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm ET and the game will be broadcast live on YES and MLB.tv. Enjoy.
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