TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The New York ankees' starting rotation appeared to fall into place when Deivi García was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday following a poor spring training. New York's decision left Domingo Germán as the likely fifth starter behind Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon and Jordan Montgomery. Germán missed last season while serving a suspension under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy. Luis Severino is expected back in June or July following his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old Garcia was 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA over 14 innings in five spring training outings. He allowed four runs, seven hits and two walks in three innings against Toronto on Wednesday. “Probably not just as much as life with all his pitches in the zone. Hung some breaking balls that got put in play hard,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday night. "Not that crisp finish that we've seen, where that bite on the breaking ball or locating it properly."... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees entered spring training with serious questions about who would follow ace Gerrit Cole in the rotation. A week before the team breaks camp, the picture has become a lot clearer. Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon and Jordan Montgomery look ready to fill three of the spots, with Domingo Germa?n and Deivi García making cases to round out the rotation. “Starters are tremendously important when we’re talking six months,” Cole said. “Health being first and foremost, everybody’s taking the ball when they’re asked and the performance right now is kind of the cheery on top. Of course the regular season is what counts, but very encouraged. I like the position that we’re in and I’m excited that everybody has been looking really good.” Cole is scheduled to start the regular season opener against Toronto at Yankee Stadium on April 1. He struck out eight, and allowed one run and four hits over five innings in his next-to-last spring training outing on Sunday against... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino has thrown off a mound for the first time since Tommy John surgery on Feb. 27 last year. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the 27-year-old right-hander threw 20 pitches, all fastballs, during a bullpen session Tuesday. “It was a lot of fun for me to get over there on Tuesday morning to be there to see that first one and just to see how he’s moving around,” Boone said before Thursday's exhibition against Philadelphia in Clearwater. “There’s just a confidence in that he’s kind of exuding in his health, just watching him play catch, the way his body is, the kind of shape he’s in and the free and easy way in which he’s throwing,” Boone said. “He was really efficient the other day — it really kind of throwing it exactly where he wanted. He was coming out hot. We almost said, ‘Hey, back off a little bit. It’s coming out a little too well.' And he wasn’t working for it necessarily. So really encouraged about where he’s at to this point.”... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino has thrown off a mound for the first time since Tommy John surgery on Feb. 27 last year. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the 27-year-old right-hander threw 20 pitches, all fastballs, during a bullpen session Tuesday. “It was a lot of fun for me to get over there on Tuesday morning to be there to see that first one and just to see how he’s moving around,” Boone said before Thursday's exhibition against Philadelphia in Clearwater. “There’s just a confidence in that he’s kind of exuding in his health, just watching him play catch, the way his body is, the kind of shape he’s in and the free and easy way in which he’s throwing,” Boone said. “He was really efficient the other day — it really kind of throwing it exactly where he wanted. He was coming out hot. We almost said, ‘Hey, back off a little bit. It’s coming out a little too well.' And he wasn’t working for it necessarily. So really encouraged about where he’s at to this point.”... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino has thrown off a mound for the first time since Tommy John surgery on Feb. 27 last year. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the 27-year-old right-hander threw 20 pitches, all fastballs, during a bullpen session Tuesday. “It was a lot of fun for me to get over there on Tuesday morning to be there to see that first one and just to see how he’s moving around,” Boone said before Thursday's exhibition against Philadelphia in Clearwater. “There’s just a confidence in that he’s kind of exuding in his health, just watching him play catch, the way his body is, the kind of shape he’s in and the free and easy way in which he’s throwing,” Boone said. “He was really efficient the other day — it really kind of throwing it exactly where he wanted. He was coming out hot. We almost said, ‘Hey, back off a little bit. It’s coming out a little too well.' And he wasn’t working for it necessarily. So really encouraged about where he’s at to this point.”... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — The Yankees failed to make it out of spring training without a significant injury. Left-hander Zack Britton needs arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow, and New York's No. 2 reliever behind closer Aroldis Chapman seems certain to miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the need for an operation following New York's 6-5 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. “I appreciate the support from everyone,” Britton wrote on Twitter. “We all have daily challenges we have to overcome in order to reach our goals. Just have to keep pushing ahead! I will get this taken care of during the upcoming week and be back as asoon as I can.” Britton will return to New York on Wednesday. Head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad will perform the surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “As far as timetables and stuff like that, we'll have more in the coming day or two days,” Boone said. Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — The Yankees failed to make it out of spring training without a significant injury. Left-hander Zack Britton needs arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow, and New York's No. 2 reliever behind closer Aroldis Chapman seems certain to miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the need for an operation following New York's 6-5 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. Britton will return to New York on Wednesday. Head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad will perform the surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “As far as timetables and stuff like that, we'll have more in the coming day or two days,” Boone said. Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not suspected of being hurt, an injury that if diagnosed could lead to Tommy John surgery. Boone said Britton felt soreness Sunday night following a bullpen session and had an MRI of his elbow on Monday. “I would say it’s always concerning any time any of your players are... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Domingo Germán pitched two scoreless innings for the New York Yankees in his spring training debut Friday, a week after publicly apologizing for actions that led to his 2019 suspension under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy. There was no noticeable reaction from the socially distanced crowd of 2,352 at Steinbrenner Field when Germán took the mound to start against the Detroit Tigers. "I felt welcomed,” Germán said through a translator. Germán struck out four and allowed one hit, a double by Wilson Ramos. The 28-year-old righty walked none. “Exciting to be back on the field, be back with my teammates,” Germán said. ”I felt relaxed, confident.” Germán was 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA for the Yankees when MLB put him on administrative leave while investigating an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend, with whom he has at least one child. Germán missed the final nine games of the regular season and all nine of New York’s playoff games. On Jan.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — DJ LeMahieu and the New York Yankees are happy there will be a little bit of baseball normalcy when spring training games begin on Sunday. As in, fans in the stands when the Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field. Due to restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, it will be the first time fans will see the Yankees play in-person since a spring training game last March 12. “To me it’s just Major League Baseball with fans,” LeMahieu said on Saturday. “Last year I’m glad we played. Glad we were able to get in as many games as we could and I thought the playoffs was cool but just missed that adrenaline and excitement." The limited crowd due to safety protocols for Sunday’s game is expected to be around 2,800 in the ballpark that has a capacity of over 10,000. “You can definitely tell how excited people are to go to baseball games, especially to watch the Yankees and that’s what I’m excited about,” LeMahieu said. “I enjoy the game but I know... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — DJ LeMahieu and the New York Yankees are happy there will be a little bit of baseball normalcy when spring training games begin on Sunday. As in, fans in the stands when the Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field. Due to restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, it will be the first time fans will see the Yankees play in-person since a spring training game last March 12. “To me it’s just Major League Baseball with fans,” LeMahieu said on Saturday. “Last year I’m glad we played. Glad we were able to get in as many games as we could and I thought the playoffs was cool but just missed that adrenaline and excitement." The limited crowd due to safety protocols for Sunday’s game is expected to be around 2,800 in the ballpark that has a capacity of over 10,000. “You can definitely tell how excited people are to go to baseball games, especially to watch the Yankees and that’s what I’m excited about,” LeMahieu said. “I enjoy the game but I know... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have finalized a $5.15 million, one-year contract for the outfielder to return for a 14th season. New York also finalized its deal with left-hander Justin Wilson on Tuesday that also could be worth $5.15 million for two seasons. Both deals are likely to be worth $4 million for one season but had complicated structures that could lower their 2021 evaluation for the luxury tax. To clear roster spots, right-hander Luis Severino was put on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last Feb. 27, and outfielder Greg Allen was designated for assignment. Gardner gets a $1 million signing bonus payable within 30 days of approval by the commissioner's office and a $1.85 million salary this year. His agreement includes a $2.3 million player option for 2022. If Gardner declines the option, the Yankees would have a $7.15 million option for 2022 with a $1.15 million buyout. The 37-year outfielder is the last player remaining... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have finalized a $5.15 million, one-year contract for the outfielder to return for a 14th season. New York also finalized its deal with left-hander Justin Wilson on Tuesday that also could be worth $5.15 million for two seasons. Both deals are likely to be worth $4 million for one season but had complicated structures that could lower their 2021 evaluation for the luxury tax. To clear roster spots, right-hander Luis Severino was put on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last Feb. 27, and outfielder Greg Allen was designated for assignment. Gardner gets a $1 million signing bonus payable within 30 days of approval by the commissioner's officer and a $1.85 million salary this year. His agreement includes a $2.3 million player option for 2022. If Gardner declines the option, the Yankees would have a $7.15 million option for 2022 with a $1.15 million buyout. The 37-year outfielder is the last player remaining... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have finalized a $5.15 million, one-year contract for the outfielder to return for a 14th season. New York also finalized its deal with left-hander Justin Wilson on Tuesday that also could be worth $5.15 million for two seasons. Both deals are likely to be worth $4 million for one season but had complicated structures that could lower their 2021 evaluation for the luxury tax. To clear roster spots, right-hander Luis Severino was put on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last Feb. 27, and outfielder Greg Allen was designated for assignment. Gardner gets a $1 million signing bonus and a $1.85 million salary this year. His agreement includes a $2.3 million player option for 2022. If Gardner declines the option, the Yankees would have a $7.15 million option for 2022 with a $1.15 million buyout. The 37-year outfielder is the last player remaining from the Yankees’ last World Series title in 2009. He had a one-year... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have finalized a $5.15 million, one-year contract for the outfielder to return for a 14th season. New York also finalized its $5.15 million, one-year deal with left-hander Justin Wilson on Tuesday. To clear roster spots, right-hander Luis Severino was put on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last Feb. 27, and outfielder Greg Allen was designated for assignment. Gardner gets a $1 million signing bonus and a $1.85 million salary this year. His agreement includes a $2.3 million player option for 2022. If Gardner declines the option, the Yankees would have a $7.15 million option for 2022 with a $1.15 million buyout. The 37-year outfielder is the last player remaining from the Yankees’ last World Series title in 2009. He had a one-year contract for 2020 with a $2 million signing bonus and a $10 million salary that became $2,962,963 in prorated pay. Gardner became a free agent after the Yankees declined a $10... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have finalized a $5.15 million, one-year contract for the outfielder to return for a 14th season. New York also finalized its one-year deal with left-hander Justin Wilson on Tuesday. To clear roster spots, right-hander Luis Severino was put on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last Feb. 27, and outfielder Greg Allen was designated for assignment. Gardner gets a $1 million signing bonus and a $1.85 million salary this year. His agreement includes a $2.3 million player option for 2022. If Gardner declines the option, the Yankees would have a $7.15 million option for 2022 with a $1.15 million buyout. The 37-year outfielder is the last player remaining from the Yankees’ last World Series title in 2009. He had a one-year contract for 2020 with a $2 million signing bonus and a $10 million salary that became $2,962,963 in prorated pay. Gardner became a free agent after the Yankees declined a $10 million option,... [More]

As far as Anthony Rizzo is concerned, Kevin Mather simply said the quiet part out loud. Mather, the CEO and president of the Seattle Mariners, resigned Monday after video surfaced of a speech he gave to a Rotary Club this month in which he made insensitive comments about several current and former players. He also spoke bluntly on a point of contention between teams and players when he said Seattle would likely keep top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert in the minors at the start of the season to delay their right to file for free agency. The players' association has long complained about the practice. Cubs star Kris Bryant filed and lost a grievance against Chicago alleging the club intentionally manipulated his service time when it kept him in Triple-A for two weeks prior to his major league debut in 2015. Had Bryant been promoted one day earlier, he would have been eligible for free agency a year sooner. Bryant and the union lost their grievance because it couldn't prove the... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is the likely starter starter for manager Aaron Boone in the season opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1. Cole went 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA over 12 starts in last year’s abbreviated season, his first in pinstripes after signing a $324 million, nine-year contract as a free agent. Boone said Cole's appearance in the opener is “safe to say.” “I thought stuff was pretty good,” Boone said after Cole threw 26 pitches during a five-batter outing. “Command is not where it’s, obviously, going to be for Gerrit Cole. But just another good step for him. He used all of his pitches and I think did exactly what he needed to do today to take that next step in his progression to get ready for the season.” Right-hander Luis Severino, coming back from Tommy John surgery last February, expects to advance to throwing other pitches in addition to fastballs next week. He remains on target to return in June or July. “Mentally, physically, I feel pretty good,” Severino... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — On Domingo Germán’s first day back with the New York Yankees following a domestic violence suspension, he received a conversation with manager Aaron Boone over an Instagram post. “Everything is over,” Germán wrote in Spanish on Wednesday. Germán deleted his posts, then wrote: “I’m ready” in Spanish. “Certainly we’re paying attention to that stuff,” Boone said Thursday. “When I first heard about it last night and saw it and it was brought to my attention, I was taken aback a little bit and immediately concerned, but do feel like maybe a little bit out of context, a little bit overblown. "And I am comfortable that he is he’s doing fine and doing well and ready to compete. But it is something that we’ll continue to watch and as best we can try and make sure that he’s in a good place. But I had the conversation about trying to be as smart and choosy as we can being about some of the things we’re expressing publicly.” Germán was 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 2019 when he was put... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees start spring training this week without Brett Gardner for the first time since 2006, and manager Aaron Boone isn’t certain whether New York will try to re-sign the last remaining player from the team’s last World Series title. The 37-year-old outfielder became a free agent after the Yankees declined a $10 million option, triggering a $2.5 million buyout. “Obviously, he’s been a great Yankee, but we’ll just see how things unfold here,” Boone said Wednesday at camp in Tampa, Florida, a day ahead of the first workout. Boone said Clint Frazier is projected as his starting left fielder after making great strides last year in his fourth season with the Yankees. The 26-year-old hit .267 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in 131 at-bats during the pandemic-shortened season, after batting .267 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs over 225 at-bats in 2019. “Last year I think really proved that he was ready to grab an everyday role on this team, and especially the improvements really... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Tampa Bay Rays Manager: Kevin Cash (seventh season). 2020: 40-20, first place, AL champions, lost to Dodgers in World Series. Training Town: Port Charlotte, Florida. Park: Charlotte Sports Park. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Chris Archer, C Francisco Mejia, RHP Luis Patiño. He’s Outta Here: LHP Blake Snell, RHP Charlie Morton, OF Hunter Renfroe, RHP Aaron Slegers, 1B Nate Lowe, LHP Aaron Loup, LHP Jose Alvarado, 1B Brian O’Grady, RHP Chaz Roe, RHP Oliver Drake, LHP Sean Gilmartin. Going campin’: The AL champions are coming off their first division title in a decade and first World Series appearance in 12 years, but they have to replace their top two starting pitchers after declining a $15 million option on Morton and trading Snell to San Diego. The Rays... [More]