The most excitement in CC Sabathia’s final preparation for the regular season Sunday came on a play he didn’t make. The Yankees should be awfully grateful for the miss.
At the Yankees’ minor league complex, Sabathia — slated to start Saturday against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre — allowed three runs, all earned, in six innings of work for Double-A Trenton against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He gave up six hits and walked one while striking out seven and the damage could have been worse if not for SWB’s Kyle Higashioka getting thrown out at home and Carlos Vidal getting nailed at second trying to stretch a single into a double.
The only damage that would have mattered, though, would have been if the big lefty had succeeded in trying to barehand Dalton Blaser’s hard grounder up the middle that went into center field for a single. In the wake of the problem with Greg Bird’s right foot that surfaced Saturday, the Yankees didn’t want to break camp with any more injuries.
“I tried to get it,” Sabathia said, laughing. “I just missed it.”
All in all, Sabathia said, “Just trying to get some work in. But I felt good.”
Hit by a pitch on the left elbow Friday and sitting out Saturday, Brandon Drury attempted to talk his way into a 90-minute bus drive Sunday so he could play against the Rays in the final Florida exhibition game.
“He actually tried to, as late as last night, tried to get onto the trip here. So I actually texted him this morning on the bus ride,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “Hey how are you feeling? Because I didn’t talk to him this morning, but I think he’s going to be fine. The plan is for him to play tomorrow in Atlanta.’’
When the Yankees’ third baseman returns he will add padded protection to the left elbow. He started wearing a face guard this spring.
Jacoby Ellsbury was on the original travel list for Sunday’s game against the Rays, but didn’t make the trip.
According to Boone, Ellsbury didn’t suffer a setback in his rehab program after an oblique muscle injury.
“We wanted to get him going every other day,’’ said Boone, who started Ellsbury in center field Saturday. “He is fine.’’
Boone said Ellsbury will increase his program. It’s likely Ellsbury starts playing games for Single-A Tampa when he’s ready.
“Hopefully it won’t be too long before he gets back,’’ Boone said.
The Yankees finished the Florida part of their spring-training schedule with a 17-13 record.
Spring training, which started on Feb. 13, ended Sunday. The weather was wonderful, pitchers got their arms ready for a six-month grind, Boone got a taste of what is ahead and for the second straight spring Bird suffered a right foot injury late in the process.
On their way to Toronto for the opener, the Yankees stop in Atlanta for one game Monday against the Braves. Sonny Gray, the Yankees’ fourth starter, gets the ball.
