Bryan Mitchell started and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks in three innings, though someone in attendance told me Tejada misplayed not one, but two grounders in the two-run second inning. Aroldis Chapman got two outs without incident while Ben Heller allowed two hits and a walk in 1.1 scoreless innings. Today’s game wasn’t televised, so there are no video highlights. Here is the box score and here are the day’s notes:
- The Yankees have released Jon Niese, the team announced. He’s going to look around for a big league opportunity but could return to the Yankees on another minor league deal. The plan would be for Niese to go to Extended Spring Training to continue building arm strength. Releasing and re-signing Niese would allow the Yankees to avoid paying him the $100,000 retention bonus. Players with six years of service time on a minor league deal get the bonus if they’re not on the MLB roster by a certain date. I count 38 players still in big league camp. [Joel Sherman]
- Shane Hennigan has the minor league lineups for the day. Blake Rutherford, who is apparently nicknamed “The Barrel” around camp, added 13 pounds over the winter. “He’s still growing, and I think he put on some weight during the offseason, good weight. There’s line-drive, gap power now, but his ability to make consistent contact out front, I think you’re going to see those balls start to loft,” said Low-A Charleston manager Patrick Osborn. More strength is good. Not so sure about that nickname though. [Josh Norris]
- Bryan Hoch has the day’s pitching assignments and hitting groups. Chad Green started a minor league game while Michell started today’s Grapefruit League game. I think Mitchell has a leg up on a big league rotation spot, though there are only so many innings to go around this late in camp. Green and Mitchell both had to pitch today, so one went to minor league camp.
- Jordan Montgomery will start Wednesday and Luis Severino will start Thursday. That means neither guy will be on normal rest for Opening Day next Sunday, so they wouldn’t be available out of the bullpen. Could mean they’re both in the Opening Day rotation, could mean nothing. Intrigue! [Mike Mazzeo]
- The Yankees have an off-day tomorrow and there’s not going to be much going on at the complex. Tomorrow is everyone’s last chance to chill out for a bit before the regular season begins. The Yankees return to action Tuesday night against the Tigers. I assume Masahiro Tanaka is starting since it would line him up for Opening Day. That game won’t be televised.
Here is an open thread for the rest of the weekend. MLB Network is showing spring games live and on tape delay throughout the rest of the day. The (hockey) Rangers, Devils, and Nets are playing, and there are a pair of March Madness games on too. Anything goes here, except religion or politics.
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