Open Thread: March 19th Camp Notes

The Yankees won for the fourth time in five games earlier today, beating the Braves 3-2. Michael Pineda started and allowed one run on four hits in four innings. He struck out four and did get some help from his defense for sure. Aroldis Chapman allowed a run on two hits in his inning, and Chasen Shreve retired all three men he faced. Shreve’s line this spring: 6.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. That’ll do.

Starlin Castro went 2-for-3 and was the offensive star by default. Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Carlos Beltran, and Chase Headley each had one hit as well. Jacoby Ellsbury made a great diving catch in the outfield and Chris Denorfia threw a runner out at the plate, both to the benefit of Big Mike. Here’s the box score, here are the video highlights, and here’s the latest from Tampa:

• In case you missed it earlier, Ellsbury left today’s game after taking a pitch to the right wrist. The Yankees have not yet released an update other than to say he is going for x-rays. Fingers crossed.
• Tyler Cloyd, Richard Bleier, Mark Montgomery, and Vinnie Pestano no longer have nameplates on their lockers. Pretty good indication they’ve been sent to minor league camp. The Yankees haven’t announced anything yet though. [Brendan Kuty]
• Update: The Yankees optioned Ben Gamel to Triple-A Scranton and reassigned Cloyd, Bleier, Montgomery, Vinnie Pestano, Jonathan Diaz, and Donovan Solano to minor league camp, the team announced. There are still 45 players in big league camp by my unofficial count.
• Once again, Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi said the fifth starter’s spot will go to the best man for the job. “It’s open competition. Everybody knows that. Let’s see where it takes us,” said the GM. We’ll see. [Jack Curry]
• Ivan Nova will be on the mound tomorrow as he continues to make his case for the rotation. The Yankees will be on the road to play the Twins. There will be an MLB.tv broadcast for that one.
• And finally, the Yankees had a special visitor in camp today. Some guy who used to wear No. 42.

This is tonight’s open thread. This afternoon’s game will replayed on YES after tonight’s Nets game, so figure it’ll start around 10-10:30pm ET or so. MLB Network is showing the Dodgers and White Sox right now, then they’ll show other games on tape delay through the night. The (hockey) Rangers are playing right now and the other local hockey and basketball teams are all playing tonight. And there’s all the March Madness action. Talk about all of that right here.