As the Grapefruit League begins spring play, the New York Yankees are continuing to be plagued by injuries with their starters.
Derek Jeter won’t see playing time until March 10th after a season ending injury in 2012 and pitcher CC Sabathia will have a few more weeks before he takes the mound after off season elbow surgery in his throwing arm. So far this spring pitcher Phil Hughes has sustained a back injury and will be out for about two weeks and outfielder Curtis Granderson fractured his forearm on Sunday after being hit by a pitch; he won’t return to the Bronx until May.
With all of these injuries the Yankees will look for not only pitchers but also power hitters. During the offseason the Yankees lost a few hitters due to contract ending and though Ichiro Suzuki was resigned and Kevin Youkilis was added to the roster, the loss of Granderson could be monumental.
With the Spring Training roster filled with Minor League talent, could a former Tampa Yankee be on his way to the Bronx? In the first three spring games a former T-Yank has started on the mound for the Yankees.
- Game 1- David Phelps
- Game 2- Adam Warren
- Game 3- Vidal Nuno
In Monday’s game after Nuno allowed one run by the Orioles, Tampa Yankee Shane Greene pitched a solid 5th inning with only 1 hit allowed. He was followed by other T-Yanks, Ryan Pope who pitched the 6th and Kelvin Perez who pitched the 7th.
The following T-Yank infielders and outfielders have also made appearances in the first few games:
- CF Slade Heathcott
- 2B Jose Pirela
- OF Zoilo Almonte (homered in Game 1)
- RF Tyler Austin
- OF Melky Mesa (made NYY debut in 2012)
- IF Corban Joseph
- SS Walter Ibarra
- 1B Kyle Roller
- 1B Addison Maruszak
- IF/OF Ronnier Mustellier
- SS Cito Culver
- IF/OF Rob Segedin
- OF Adonis Garcia
- 1B Luke Murton
- C Austin Romine
- C JR Murphy
With the Yankees looking for a temporary replacement in outfield for the injured Curtis Granderson, Melky Mesa, who made his New York Yankee debut in October 2012 could find a spot on the roster. The Yanks are also looking for a starting and backup catcher, could Austin Romine finally get his ticket to the Bronx?
As the Spring exhibition games continue all of these questions could slowly be answered. Stay Tuned!
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