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Game 25: Severino for Seven

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(Presswire)

The Yankees just completed a very successful 8-2 homestand and now they’re out on the road for three games against the Angels and four games against the Astros. Very possible they will see those two teams in the postseason, though let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Still lots of regular season to go. The Yankees are kicking butt right now and they come into tonight’s series opener against the Halos riding a six-game winning streak.

The good news: Luis Severino is the mound tonight! He’s pretty awesome. The bad news: The Yankees have a 24-man roster. Tyler Austin will begin serving his four-game suspension tonight, and because the Yankees are carrying eight relievers, they currently have a two-man bench. Not ideal, but what can you do? Austin (and Brandon Drury) will be back soon enough. Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Aaron Hicks
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. SS Didi Gregorius
4. LF Giancarlo Stanton
5. C Gary Sanchez
6. 1B Neil Walker
7. DH Miguel Andujar
8. 2B Gleyber Torres
9. 3B Ronald Torreyes

RHP Luis Severino

Los Angeles Angels
1. 2B Ian Kinsler
2. CF Mike Trout
3. LF Justin Upton
4. 1B Albert Pujols
5. DH Shohei Ohtani
6. SS Andrelton Simmons
7. 3B Zack Cozart
8. RF Kole Calhoun
9. C Martin Maldonado

LHP Andrew Heaney

As always, the weather is pretty much perfect in Anaheim. Best weather for the Yankees so far this season. Tonight’s game will begin at 10:07pm ET and you can watch on YES. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Drury (migraines) played in his second rehab game with Triple-A Scranton tonight and Aaron Boone said there is “no hard set plan” for his return. They’re essentially monitoring him day-by-day. He could return during the road trip though … Greg Bird (ankle) and Billy McKinney (shoulder) both traveled to Tampa today to continue their rehab while the Yankees are on the road … Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, hip, foot) has started light baseball activities but is “probably still a ways off,” according to Boone … Brett Gardner is fine. Just an off-day against a lefty.

Roster Note: So long, David Hale. He was claimed off waivers by the Twins, the Yankees announced yesterday. He made one appearance in pinstripes, throwing two scoreless innings in a blowout win earlier this week. Hale was designated for assignment after that game to clear a roster spot for A.J. Cole. Don’t be surprised if the Yankees make a minor move to add a depth arm at some point, just to make sure Triple-A Scranton has enough pitching and the actual prospects don’t get overworked.

Game 15: Back to Baseball

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(Presswire)

After back-to-back rainouts in Detroit, and despite heavy rain in New York this morning, the Yankees are finally back in action tonight. It’s still chilly and very windy in New York, but the rain has stopped, and that’s the most important thing. The Yankees haven’t played since Friday and they’ll be back at it tonight, thankfully.

Derek Jeter’s Marlins are in town for a quick two-game series — Jeter didn’t make the trip because he said it would be awkward — and with the Yankees looking to get on some kind of hot streak, two games against a team that has won four times in 15 games, and been outscored by 35 runs in the process, could be just what the baseball doctors order. Taking care of business against the Marlins tonight and tomorrow sure would be swell. Here are the lineups:

New York Yankees
1. LF Brett Gardner
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. DH Giancarlo Stanton
4. SS Didi Gregorius
5. C Gary Sanchez
6. CF Aaron Hicks
7. 1B Tyler Austin
8. 3B Miguel Andujar
9. 2B Ronald Torreyes

RHP Luis Severino

Miami Marlins
1. LF Derek Dietrich
2. SS Miguel Rojas
3. 2B Starlin Castro
4. 1B Justin Bour
5. 3B Brian Anderson
6. DH Tomas Telis
7. CF Cameron Maybin
8. RF J.B. Shuck
9. C Bryan Holaday

LHP Caleb Smith

The rain has cleared out but, like I said, it’s still cold and windy in the Bronx. Not a great night to sit in the ballpark, really. Tonight’s game will begin at 6:35pm ET — the Yankees are testing out some early start times this month — and you can watch on YES. Enjoy the game.

Roster Move: Welcome back, Jace Peterson. Sunday he cleared waivers and elected free agency rather than accept his outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton, then this afternoon the Yankees re-signed him to a new contract, the team announced. Peterson is on the MLB roster. He replaces Luis Cessa, who was sent down yesterday. The Yankees have a four-man bench for the first time this season.

Injury Updates: Brandon Drury (migraines) still has headaches and blurred vision, and it gets worse during physical activity. He did take batting practice today though. Drury has been prescribed medication by a specialist, and has more tests pending. When asked whether he’s ever gone up to the plate with blurred vision, Drury said “all the time.” Okie dokie … Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, hip) also has plantar fasciitis now. He hurt his foot while rehabbing his hip, which he hurt while rehabbing his oblique … Greg Bird (ankle) played catch and took ground balls today. He had his stitches removed last week and this is the first time we’ve heard about him doing any sort of baseball work. Aaron Boone said the Yankees are optimistic Bird will return “on the shorter side” of his 6-8 week timetable.

Suspension Update: Tyler Austin is expected to have his appeal heard later this week, likely Thursday. He received a five-game suspension for last week’s brawl with the Red Sox. It might get knocked down a game or two, but the suspension won’t be wiped away. Austin did charge the mound, after all. The Yankees will have to play with a 24-man roster during the suspension.

Site News: More information is coming, but we’re having an RAB Day at Yankee Stadium next month (May 12th vs. Athletics). Here are some of the details. We’ll post more info in a day or two. I just wanted to get that on everyone’s radar.

Game 11: Ace vs. Ace

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(Jim McIsaac/Getty)

The Yankees are facing the Red Sox tonight for the first this season and of course it’s a Very Big Deal. Games between these two teams always get hyped up beyond belief. It is what it is. The Red Sox are hot (8-0 in their last eight games) and the Yankees are not (3-5 in their last eight games). Couldn’t think of a better series for the Yankees to turn things around after that yucky series with the Orioles.

Anyway, we’ve got a premium pitching matchup tonight. Luis Severino vs. Chris Sale, both of whom finished in the top three of the Cy Young voting last year. These two actually squared off twice last season, and the Yankees won both games. The Yankees went 3-1 in Severino starts against the Red Sox last year and also went 3-1 when facing Sale last year. Would be cool to see a repeat this year. Here are the starting lineups.

New York Yankees
1. 2B Neil Walker
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. LF Giancarlo Stanton
4. DH Gary Sanchez
5. SS Didi Gregorius
6. 1B Tyler Austin
7. 3B Miguel Andujar
8. C Austin Romine
9. CF Shane Robinson

RHP Luis Severino

Boston Red Sox
1. RF Mookie Betts
2. LF Andrew Benintendi
3. 1B Hanley Ramirez
4. DH J.D. Martinez
5. 3B Rafael Devers
6. 2B Eduardo Nunez
7. CF Jackie Bradley Jr.
8. C Christian Vazquez
9. SS Brock Holt

LHP Chris Sale

The players are in for another cold game tonight. The temperatures will be in the low-30s all night and it’s pretty windy as well. At least the rain stopped. It rained in Boston for much of the afternoon. Miserable baseball weather. So it goes. Tonight’s series opener will begin a little after 7pm ET, and you’ll be able to watch on YES locally and ESPN nationally. Enjoy the ballgame.

Roster Move: Robinson has been added to the roster, obviously. He’s in the lineup. Jace Peterson was designated for assignment to clear 25-man and 40-man roster space. The Yankees want the right-handed hitting natural outfielder on the roster against Sale and David Price these next two days instead of the left-handed hitting infielder-turned-outfielder. I’m guessing Peterson will clear waivers and accept the minor league assignment, and stay in the organization as a non-40-man roster player.

Injury Update: CC Sabathia (hip) played catch today and said he’s been pain-free for a few days now. The next step is a bullpen session … Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, hip) received a cortisone injection in the hip and the hope is he’ll be able to resume baseball activities Friday … Brandon Drury (migraines) went for a battery of tests yesterday and the Yankees are waiting for the results … Gary Sanchez (calf) is fine and could’ve caught today, but Aaron Boone decided to give him one more day away from catching as a precaution.

Rotation Update: As expected, Sonny Gray will start Thursday’s series finale. He’ll be on normal rest thanks to yesterday’s off-day. That is Sabathia’s spot. The Yankees waited until this afternoon to officially announce Gray as Thursday’s starter for whatever reason.

Game 10: End of the First Homestand

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(Jim McIsaac/Getty)

The first homestand of the 2018 season comes to an end today, and this afternoon’s series finale with the Orioles will determine whether it’s a good 4-2 homestand or a meh 3-3 homestand. The Yankees bounced back nicely yesterday after that tough 14-inning loss Friday night. Get a win today and go into tomorrow’s off-day feeling good about things. Sounds good to me.

Jordan Montgomery is making his second start of the season today and, like Sony Gray yesterday, it sure would be swell if he pitched deep into the game. The bullpen is still a little short thanks to Friday’s marathon. Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances are presumably available, and, uh, Domingo German? Not great, but that’s baseball. Here are the starting lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Brett Gardner
2. DH Aaron Judge
3. RF Giancarlo Stanton
4. 2B Neil Walker
5. 1B Tyler Austin
6. 3B Miguel Andujar
7. LF Jace Peterson
8. C Austin Romine
9. SS Ronald Torreyes

LHP Jordan Montgomery

Baltimore Orioles
1. 1B Trey Mancini
2. SS Manny Machado
3. 2B Jonathan Schoop
4. CF Adam Jones
5. DH Danny Valencia
6. 3B Tim Beckham
7. RF Anthony Santander
8. LF Craig Gentry
9. C Caleb Joseph

RHP Mike Wright Jr.

Another chilly day in the Bronx, but at least the sky is clear and the sun is out. Hopefully the weather warms up soon. Getting pretty sick of the cold. Anyway, today’s game will begin at 1:05pm ET and you can watch on YES locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Didi Gregorius is fine and available to pinch-hit. They’re just taking advantage of tomorrow’s off-day to give Didi two straight days to rest after the 14-inning game, which included Mychal Givens sitting on Gregorius at home plate … Gary Sanchez (calf) is doing better and is available to pinch-hit, if necessary. With the off-day tomorrow, they’re giving Sanchez three straight days away from catching just to make sure the calf is okay … Tyler Wade (illness) is feeling much better and is available off the bench … Aaron Hicks (intercostal) ran the bases today and will go to Triple-A Scranton to begin a rehab assignment tomorrow. Sounds like the earliest he will return is Wednesday … Clint Frazier (concussion) is getting at-bats in simulated games but has not yet been cleared for official games … Greg Bird (ankle) gets his stitches out tomorrow and will begin rehab work. He’s still looking at a mid-to-late May return … Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, hip) will see another hip specialist soon.

Game Eight: CC the Stopper

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(Presswire)

Tough start to the series last night. We’ve become accustomed to the Yankees wrecking Orioles pitching, but it didn’t happen last night, plus the bullpen had another tough game. Yucky loss. It happens though. Hopefully the Yankees shake it off and pound Kevin Gausman tonight like we know they can.

CC Sabathia is on the mound this evening and he was nails following a loss last year. He made eleven starts following a loss last season, the Yankees won ten of them, and Sabathia pitched to a 1.71 ERA in those games. The big man is on the downside of his career. There’s no doubt about that. He still knows how to stop one loss from turning into the losing streak though. Here are the lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Brett Gardner
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. LF Giancarlo Stanton
4. SS Didi Gregorius
5. C Gary Sanchez
6. 1B Neil Walker
7. 3B Brandon Drury
8. 2B Tyler Wade
9. DH Miguel Andujar

LHP CC Sabathia

Baltimore Orioles
1. LF Trey Mancini
2. SS Manny Machado
3. 2B Jonathan Schoop
4. CF Adam Jones
5. DH Danny Valencia
6. 1B Chris Davis
7. 3B Tim Beckham
8. RF Anthony Santander
9. C Caleb Joseph

RHP Kevin Gausman

It’s warmer today than it has been the last few days, so that’s good, but there is rain in the forecast later tonight. That’s not good. The rain is supposed to arrive around 10pm ET with the heaviest stuff coming an hour or so later. Hopefully it doesn’t impact the game. Tonight’s game will begin a little after 7pm ET. YES and MLB Network will have the broadcast. Enjoy the game.

Injury Updates: Aaron Hicks (intercostal) will play in minor league rehab games with Triple-A Scranton on Sunday and Monday. Presumably he would then rejoin the Yankees on Tuesday, for the first game in Boston … Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, hip) is in New York today to see a specialist about the hip. His rehab work for the oblique is somehow going backwards.

Game Five: The Home Opener

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(Al Bello/Getty)

After four games in Toronto and one snow out in New York, the Yankees are at Yankee Stadium for their first home game of the season this afternoon. The last time the Yankees played a home game, they shut out the Astros in Game Five of the ALCS to grab a 3-2 series lead. It was a good time. Too bad things didn’t work out in Houston.

There’s a lot going on this afternoon. First of all, it’s raining in New York, so stay tuned for updates on the start time. Secondly, Mickey Rivers and Bucky Dent will throw out the ceremonial first pitches as the Yankees commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1978 World Series title team. And third, Aaron Boone will manage his first home game as Yankees manager.

“I’m looking forward to putting the pinstripes on and walking out on the field with this team,” said Boone following yesterday’s postponement. “This fan base is amazing. It’s been fun to see — just in my short time back — the connection that they have with our players. I get it, being around these guys for six, seven, eight weeks. I’m just excited to be here and walk out there in pinstripes.”

The Tampa Bay Rays are in town for a two-game series and they’re taking advantage of the snow out by starting ace Chris Archer this afternoon rather than their fifth starter Bull Penday. That’s too bad. Then again, the Yankees have had their fair share of success against Archer over the years, so maybe it’s no big deal. Here are the starting lineups:

New York Yankees
1. CF Brett Gardner
2. RF Aaron Judge
3. LF Giancarlo Stanton
4. SS Didi Gregorius
5. C Gary Sanchez
6. 1B Neil Walker
7. 3B Brandon Drury
8. 2B Tyler Wade
9. DH Tyler Austin

LHP Jordan Montgomery

Tampa Bay Rays
1. 3B Matt Duffy
2. CF Kevin Kiermaier
3. RF Carlos Gomez
4. 2B C.J. Cron
5. DH Wilson Ramos
6. SS Adeiny Hechavarria
7. C Jesus Sucre
8. 2B Daniel Robertson
9. LF Rob Refsnyder

RHP Chris Archer

Like I said, it’s raining in New York, so we may be heading for a delay or maybe even another postponement. I hope not. This afternoon’s game is scheduled to begin a little after 4pm ET and you’ll be able to watch on YES locally and ESPN nationally. Enjoy the game. Hopefully they play at some point.

Injury Updates: Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique) felt “a little something” in his hip during his rehab work and it will “cost him a couple days,” according to Boone. He’s eligible to be activated off the disabled list Thursday, but that’s not happening now … Aaron Hicks (intercostal) hit off a tee and threw today. He’s feeling better, so that’s good. He’s eligible to be activated Sunday … Clint Frazier (concussion) has ramped up his rehab work and is “hopefully very close” to playing in games. The minor league season begins Thursday.

Update (3:30pm ET): The game will not begin on time, the Yankees announced. No word on a start time yet, but the forecast sure makes it seem like this could be a lengthy delay.

Update (3:43pm ET): The Yankees say the game will begin at 4:15pm ET. Seems optimistic! I guess they’re just going to play through it. Make sure you have a lead after five innings, guys.

Update: Yankees announce 2018 Opening Day roster

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The eighth reliever. (Presswire)

March 29th: The Yankees officially announced their Opening Day roster this morning. It is as expected, only with Tyler Austin replacing the injured Greg Bird. The roster has been updated below. Also, Tyler Wade and Jonathan Holder have new numbers. Wade will wear No. 12 (had been No. 39) and Holder will wear No. 56 (had been No. 65)

March 24th: The Yankees have not yet made an official announcement, but the 2018 Opening Day roster is set. Domingo German was optioned out Saturday, and Brian Cashman told Pete Caldera that Jonathan Holder will be in the Opening Day bullpen as the eighth reliever. Here is the Opening Day roster:

CATCHERS (2)
Austin Romine
Gary Sanchez

INFIELDERS (6)
Greg Bird Tyler Austin
Brandon Drury
Didi Gregorius
Ronald Torreyes
Tyler Wade
Neil Walker

OUTFIELDERS (4)
Brett Gardner
Aaron Hicks
Aaron Judge
Giancarlo Stanton

STARTING PITCHERS (5)
RHP Sonny Gray
LHP Jordan Montgomery
LHP CC Sabathia
RHP Luis Severino
RHP Masahiro Tanaka

RELIEF PITCHERS (8)
RHP Dellin Betances
LHP Aroldis Chapman
RHP Chad Green
RHP Jonathan Holder
RHP Tommy Kahnle
RHP David Robertson
LHP Chasen Shreve
RHP Adam Warren

DISABLED LIST (3)
Greg Bird (ankle, 10-day DL retroactive to March 26)
Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, 10-day DL retroactive to March 26)
Clint Frazier (concussion, 7-day DL retroactive to March 26)

Cashman said German is going to Triple-A Scranton to remain stretched out as a starter. German and Luis Cessa are presumably the sixth and seventh starters in whatever order. Usually when a sixth starter is needed, it’s more about who’s available to pitch that day rather than who the team wants to pitch that day though.

Anyway, there are no surprises with the Opening Day roster. We were just waiting to find out the identity of the eight reliever. Wade played well in Spring Training and won a roster spot, and the Drury trade and Walker signing all but guaranteed Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres would begin the season in Triple-A. They’ll be up soon enough.

Obligatory reminder: The Opening Day roster and the end-of-season roster tend to look very different. Here is last year’s Opening Day roster, for example. Holder is keeping a roster spot warm for Ellsbury, who has already resumed playing in Grapefruit League games. He could be back soon. Frazier’s concussion looks to be more long-term, unfortunately.

The Yankees begin the season against the Blue Jays on Thursday, March 29th. There are still five days to go before the season opener, so the Opening Day roster could change if someone gets hurt — example: Drury taking a pitch to the elbow yesterday, though he escaped with a bruise — but hopefully that won’t be the case.