Spring Training Game Thread: Tanaka’s Second Start

The Yankees are back in action tonight and Masahiro Tanaka will make his second start of the spring. It’s his second start but really his third outing, because he threw a simulated game a few days ago rather than go on a road trip. Tanaka got knocked around pretty good last time out, but eh, who cares. As long as he’s healthy and doing what he needs to do to get ready for the regular season, I’m happy.

Now that the Yankees have signed Neil Walker, the second and third base competitions that existed at the outset of camp are all but over. Walker will start at second and Brandon Drury, who was acquired after camp opened, will play third. That means the kids are competing for a bench spot, at least in theory, because I’m not sure how realistic it is for any of them to sit on the bench. We’ll see. Here is the Twins’ lineup — old buddy Phil Hughes will be on the mound — and here is the Yankees’ lineup:

1. CF Brett Gardner
2. LF Giancarlo Stanton
3. DH Greg Bird
4. 3B Brandon Drury
5. 1B Tyler Austin
6. RF Billy McKinney
7. C Austin Romine
8. SS Ronald Torreyes
9. 2B Tyler Wade

RHP Masahiro Tanaka

Available Pitchers: RHP Dellin Betances, RHP J.P. Feyeresen, RHP Jordan Foley, RHP Gio Gallegos, RHP Ben Heller, RHP Jonathan Holder, RHP Tommy Kahnle, and LHP Chasen Shreve.

Available Position Players: C Francisco Diaz, C Erik Kratz, C Jorge Saez, IF Abi Avelino, IF Diego Castillo, IF Gleyber Torres, OF Trey Amburgey, OF Jake Cave, OF Estevan Florial, OF Shane Robinson, and UTIL Jace Peterson.

Lovely weather in Tampa this evening, and thanks to daylight savings time, they’ll play a few innings under the sun. Tonight’s game will begin at 6:35pm ET and you can watch on YES and MLB.tv. Enjoy.