TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka makes his spring training debut Sunday against the Phillies in Clearwater. After throwing 61 pitches from flat ground and working a two-inning simulated game, the Yankees’ ace is ready to face game action.
He isn’t the only Yankees starter set to debut soon. Michael Pineda faces the Astros on Monday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, CC Sabathia travels to Jupiter to start against the Marlins on Tuesday, and Ivan Nova goes against the Mets on Wednesday in Port St. Lucie. Nathan Eovaldi will start against the Blue Jays at GMS on Thursday.
“He faced hitters [Wednesday] and felt good [Thursday], so he will go Sunday,” manager Joe Girardi said of Tanaka, who had a bone spur removed from his right elbow after last season.
According to Girardi, Tanaka will throw two innings or 30 to 35 pitches.
Sabathia was one of several Yankees pitchers to throw a simulated game Thursday.
Sabathia threw 35 pitches in two innings, striking out two and walking two. He struggled early with command, but when the exercise was over, the veteran lefty said everything was good.
Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances each threw 18 pitches in simulated games. Eovaldi, Aroldis Chapman, and Chasen Shreve threw bullpen sessions.
Eovaldi said his left groin problem is no longer an issue and that he is ready to resume a regular schedule. Eovaldi suffered the injury during a conditioning exercise last week.
“It was all good,” said Eovaldi, who is slated to throw a simulated game Saturday. “We have been extra cautious with it.”
Nova started for the Yankees on Thursday against the Phillies and gave up a run and two hits. Girardi has six candidates for five starting spots and hasn’t counted out Nova.
“Today he is very much in the starters’ mix,” Girardi said. “It’s not a foregone conclusion who our five starters are.”
Chase Headley, Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez were in Thursday’s lineup. Brian McCann, Didi Gregorius and Teixeira started against the Tigers on Wednesday.
Training Day
A fast start
Alex Rodriguez homered on the first swing of the exhibition season against the Phillies.
Jake The Snake
Jacob Lindgren, the Yankees’ first pick in the 2014 draft, gave up four runs and three walks in one-third of an inning.
Caught my eye
Center fielder Slade Heathcott did a cartwheel after avoiding a collision with Carlos Beltran in right-center field.
Today’s schedule
The Yankees travel to Lakeland to play the Tigers. Bryan Mitchell, who is in the mix for a bullpen spot, starts for the Yankees.
