It’s Spring training time for the Yankees, and with over a month left until Opening Day, we preview the upcoming exhibition season for the Bombers.
It’s that time of the year again, as the New York Yankees are down in Florida for their annual Spring Training. Games for the Bombers begin Saturday, where they’ll take on the Toronto Blue Jays in Tampa. After that, it’s a month of exhibition baseball before the Yanks open up in Baltimore against the orioles. With all this said, let’s preview the next month of Spring baseball for the Bombers!
Injury Issues Already
As we all know, James Paxton is slated to miss the start of the season after getting back surgery this past week, and as if things couldn’t get worse (they can), Aaron Judge missed out on batting practice Tuesday after feeling some shoulder discomfort, although Manager Aaron Boone reassures that there’s nothing to worry about after tests showed no issues.
The goal this Spring for the Yankees should be to stay healthy and get to the regular season not decimated by injuries. There’s no doubt that players get hurt, but it’s crucial for the Yankees should be to avoid as many casualties as possible and set the tone for the regular season.
The Cole (Hype) Train
It’s reported that Gerrit Cole’s first spring training appearance will be Monday, February 24 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With this information, we begin an expedition of locking our eyes to the screen every time Cole takes the hill. Everyone knows, or at least should know, that Spring training stats are meaningless, but that doesn’t make seeing one of the best pitchers in baseball in a Yankee uniform any less exciting, does it?
Regardless of Cole’s results this Spring, everyone, Yankee fan or not, will be watching the prized acquisition on the bump. Hopefully, Cole can find a rhythm and get comfortable going into the regular season, where he’ll likely make an Opening Day start against Baltimore.
What Yankees Need to Show Something?
As I said previously, Spring training stats are meaningless, but they’re used to determine the tightest position battles for each franchise. Players like Jordan Montgomery, J.A. Happ, Gio Urshela, and Miguel Andújar all have something to prove in 2020, with some ranging from bounce-back candidates to proving their 2019 campaign was no fluke. The Yankees will be looking to see and pick out position battles, mainly starting pitching, this Spring, and with that noted, a multitude of players can benefit greatly from a healthy, strong Spring.
One way or another, baseball is back. With expectations as high as they are for the Yankees, this Spring should be a very fun and exciting six weeks.