Yanks Open 2023 Spring Training

 

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

Clearwater, Tampa and Dunedin, FL. – The start of the 2023 spring training season for the New York Yankees saw them play their first two games with split squads. They first faced the Philadelphia Phillies last Saturday in Clearwater losing 7-4. Despite the loss, the Bombers came away impressed with 20-year old center fielder Jasson Dominguez who blasted a home run to tie the game at 2. Gleyber Torres, who is in the final year of his contract and looking to be a starter, hit a solo shot and finished the day going 2-3. 

 

The second game which took place at Steinbrenner Field saw New York rebound as they held the Atlanta Braves to 1-hit in a 7-0 shutout. The pitching staff, which sent 5 pitchers to the mound combined to strike out 11 Braves. Torres, Aaron Hicks (his first start since being named captain) went 1-1 and Aaron Hicks, coming off a horrendous year, went 1-3. The big blow however came from catcher Jose Trevino who belted a grand slam. 

 

The Yanks then went to Dunedin to face the Toronto Blue Jays who started 2 players who expect to be a big part of their season in Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. while New York had only 1 regular starter in Josh Donaldson. Despite that, the Yankees jumped out to a 6-0 lead before the Jays stormed black after a Vlad 2-runner homer cut the lead to 6-5. Toronto would score no more as the New York tacked on 3-more runs putting the game away 9-5. 

 

Back in Tampa Monday night, the Yankees hosted the Detroit Tiger with Luis Severino making spring training debut. In 2 innings, Severino gave up 3 hits, 4 runs (all earned) as New York fell behind 5-2 after 4-innings. Said Severino after, “just being healthy, getting those innings, getting those pitches and feeling really good after that. I think that’s the main thing for me right now.” The always half cup full manager Aaron Boone said, “I thought stuff wise he looked good. I thought his fastball was strong playing at the top of zone and he flashed some good change ups tonight.”

 

Detroit sent 22 men to the plate to only 12 for the Yankees. Down 5-2 going into the 7^th inning, the Yanks scored 4-runs as Tayler Aguilar plated two with a ground rule double down the right field line. One batter later, Jesus Bastidas singled to left putting the Bombers ahead to stay as Detroit would not get on the scoreboard again as the bullpen ( 5 relievers) gave up only 3 hits over the last 5 innings. 

 

The Yankees traveled Tuesday to take on the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday before hosting the Washington Nationals Wednesday.

 

This early in the 2023 spring training gives teams an opportunity to see if there is a player that can make a name for himself given the opportunity. In a 162-game regular season, injuries to key players could give that player a chance if he shines. That is all the newbies want. A chance to go to the “show”.