Even with today’s matchup in Fort Myers against the archrival Boston Red Sox, all eyes were on New York Yankees camp in Tampa on Sunday. In the past 24 hours, starting right fielder Ichiro Suzuki has been involved in a car accident, and starting pitchers Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte returned to the field.
Despite being the most alarming of the stories coming out of Yankee camp today, Ichiro Suzuki’s car accident likely had the least impact on the team. Ichiro was driving home after Saturday’s game, heading south on Dale Mabry — the road directly in front of Steinbrenner Field — towards the intersection at Kennedy Boulevard. Another car turned left in front of Ichiro, who said he slammed on the brakes but did not have time to stop. The impact was enough to total Ichiro’s car, though the Yankees outfielder was unharmed.
Not (hurt) at all,” Ichiro said. “I almost want my body to feel like I got hit or something, but my body just didn’t react, I guess. Nothing.”
Hughes starts throwing
Phil Hughes, who has been out with a bulging disc in his back, played catch with Triple-A pitching coach Scott Aldred on Sunday. Hughes made 25 throws from 60 feet at a nice, easy velocity. Aftewards, Hughes reported he was, “Good, great, no issues.” When asked how much it hurt on a scale of 1-10, Hughes stated his pain level was zero. The 26-year-old right-hander is targeting March 14 for his spring debut.
Pettitte, Mo throw sim games
Veteran left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte faced hitters for the first time this spring on Sunday. Squaring off with Matt Diaz and Francisco Arcia, Pettitte threw two “innings” Sunday morning, reporting afterwards that he felt good. Pettitte indicated that his next outing will also likely be a simulated game. Mariano Rivera threw his second simulated game of the spring, also facing Diaz and Arcia for one “inning.”
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