NEW YORK (AP) — Reliever Lucas Luetge has made the New York Yankees’ opening-day roster and is returning to the major leagues for the first time since 2015. The 34-year-old left-hander had a 1.74 ERA in nine spring training appearances. He allowed his only runs on a pair of solo homers by Toronto’s Teoscar Hernández and Kevin Smith on March 21. He gave up eight hits in 10 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts and two walks. New York had an opening for a left-hander while Zack Britton recovers from surgery on March 15 to remove a bone chip in his pitching elbow and Justin Wilson builds arm strength after being sidelined during spring training by shoulder soreness. “There was a lot of really good competition, frankly, better competition than I feel like we’ve had in the last several years,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday. “And there were a lot of different ways we we’re considering going for that spot. But it’s hard to deny what Lucas was able to come in really from the start of camp... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Justin Wilson won't throw for several days and will receive oral anti-inflammatory medication in an effort to alleviate tightness in his pitching shoulder. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said it was too soon to determine whether Wilson will be ready for the team's opener on April 1. “I feel like overall we got pretty good news on the MRI front but he is dealing with some soreness,” Boone said Wednesday. “We'll see where we are as the next couple of days unfold and see where that leaves us three days from now, five days from now, seven days from now.” Wilson left Monday night's exhibition against Philadelphia while facing his fourth batter, Odubel Herrera. He allowed a single to Rhys Hoskins, a home run to former Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius and a walk to Alec Bohm. New York said Wilson had an MRI Tuesday that was compared to an MRI from a physical as part of the pitcher's signing last month. “There was nothing actionable from those images,” the Yankees said. The 33-year-old signed a $5.15 million, two-year contract this offseason to start his second stint with the Yankees. He spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. New York lefty Zack Britton had surgery March 15 to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and is likely out until at least May and perhaps the summer. ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Justin Wilson won't throw for several days and will receive oral anti-inflammatory medication in an effort to alleviate tightness in his pitching shoulder. Wilson left Monday night's exhibition against Philadelphia while facing his fourth batter, Odubel Herrera. He allowed a single to Rhys Hoskins, a home run to former Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius and a walk to Alec Bohm. New York said Wilson had an MRI Tuesday that was compared to an MRI from a physical as part of the pitcher's signing last month. “There was nothing actionable from those images,” the Yankees said Wednesday. The 33-year-old signed a $5.15 million, two-year contract this offseason to start his second stint with the Yankees. He spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. New York lefty Zack Britton had surgery March 15 to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and is likely out until at least May and perhaps the summer. ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Justin Wilson became the New York Yankees' second left-handed reliever to get hurt during spring training, leaving Monday night's exhibition against Philadelphia due to tightness in his pitching shoulder. New York said Wilson will have an MRI on Tuesday. “The way he kind of described is just having a hard time getting loose out there,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think there’s a chance that it might not be that big a deal.” Boone said there had been no prior sign of anything alarming. Wilson replaced Darren O'Day at the start of the seventh inning with the Phillies leading 2-0, his fifth spring training appearance. He allowed a single on a 2-0 pitch to Rhys Hoskins and a home run to right field on a 1-0 pitch to former Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius. Alec Bohm fouled off a pitch before Wilson threw four balls in a row. Wilson worked the count full with his seventh pitch to Odubel Herrera, then waved his arm toward the dugout to summon director of medical services Steve... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Justin Wilson became the New York Yankees' second left-handed reliever to get hurt during spring training, leaving Monday night's exhibition against Philadelphia due to tightness in his pitching shoulder. New York said Wilson will have an MRI on Tuesday. “The way he kind of described is just having a hard time getting loose out there,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think there’s a chance that it might not be that big a deal.” Boone said there had been no prior sign of anything alarming. Wilson replaced Darren O'Day at the start of the seventh inning with the Phillies leading 2-0, his fifth spring training appearance. He allowed a single on a 2-0 pitch to Rhys Hoskins and a home run to right field on a 1-0 pitch to former Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius. Alec Bohm fouled off a pitch before Wilson threw four balls in a row. Wilson worked the count full with his seventh pitch to Odubel Herrera, then waved his arm toward the dugout to summon director of medical services Steve... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton had surgery Monday to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow. The reliever is likely to be out until at least May and perhaps until summer. The team has not specified a timeframe. Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad operated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “Want to thank Dr. Ahmad and his staff for their excellent work today," Britton wrote on Twitter. “Excited to start the process of getting myself ready to rejoin the boys.” Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the Yankees’ closer, and manager Aaron Boone said he will mix and match during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Boone has said right-hander Chad Green, side-arming right-hander Darren O’Day, right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga and left-hander Justin Wilson are options. “I think it comes down to the incision being healed," manager Aaron Boone said “That’ll tell him when he can start playing catch and start the ramp-up process. So don't want to really put... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton had surgery Monday to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow. The reliever is likely to be out until at least May and perhaps until summer. The team has not specified a timeframe. Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad operated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “Want to thank Dr. Ahmad and his staff for their excellent work today," Britton wrote on Twitter. “Excited to start the process of getting myself ready to rejoin the boys.” Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the Yankees’ closer, and manager Aaron Boone said he will mix and match during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Boone has said right-hander Chad Green, side-arming right-hander Darren O’Day, right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga and left-hander Justin Wilson are options. “I think it comes down to the incision being healed," manager Aaron Boone said “That’ll tell him when he can start playing catch and start the ramp-up process. So don't want to really put... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton had surgery Monday to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow. The reliever is likely to be out until at least May and perhaps until summer. The team has not specified a timeframe. Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad operated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “Want to thank Dr. Ahmad and his staff for their excellent work today," Britton wrote on Twitter. “Excited to start the process of getting myself ready to rejoin the boys.” Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the Yankees’ closer, and manager Aaron Boone said he will mix and match during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Boone has said right-hander Chad Green, side-arming right-hander Darren O’Day, right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga and left-hander Justin Wilson are options. Chapman is suspended for the first two games of the season by Major League Baseball for throwing a 101 mph fastball near the head of Tampa Bay’s Mike Brosseau on Sept. 1. Britton, 33, is a two-time All-Star who was 1-2 with a 1.89 ERA and eight saves in 20 appearances during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He filled in as closer for the first 3 1/2 weeks while Chapman missed 21 games recovering from COVID-19. ___ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TAMPA, Fla (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton is scheduled for surgery Monday to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and seems likely to be out until at least May. Britton will not be able to throw for several weeks while the incision heals after the operation by Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Britton will then need to build arm strength. “It’s going to get taken care of and I’ll be able to pitch this year and help the team. And so that’s the most important thing,” he said Wednesday. “Could I rehab through it and possibly come back and it wouldn’t impact me? There was a chance. But we like the chances better of me coming back this season and pitching at a high level if I just got it removed now. If this was during the season, I’m not sure surgery would be the decision.” Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the Yankees' closer, and manager Aaron Boone said he will mix and match during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton is scheduled for surgery Monday to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and seems likely to be out until at least May. Britton will not be able to throw for several weeks while the incision heals after the operation by Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Britton will then need to build arm strength. “It’s going to get taken care of and I’ll be able to pitch this year and help the team. And so that’s the most important thing,” he said Wednesday. “Could I rehab through it and possibly come back and it wouldn’t impact me? There was a chance. But we like the chances better of me coming back this season and pitching at a high level if I just got it removed now. If this was during the season, I’m not sure surgery would be the decision.” Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the Yankees' closer, and manager Aaron Boone said he will mix and match during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.... [More]

TAMPA, Fla (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton is scheduled for surgery Monday to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and seems likely to be out until at least May. Britton will not be able to throw for several weeks while the incision heals after the operation by Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Britton will then need to build arm strength. “It’s going to get taken care of and I’ll be able to pitch this year and help the team. And so that’s the most important thing,” he said Wednesday. “Could I rehab through it and possibly come back and it wouldn’t impact me? There was a chance. But we like the chances better of me coming back this season and pitching at a high level if I just got it removed now. If this was during the season, I’m not sure surgery would be the decision.” Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the Yankees' closer, and manager Aaron Boone said he will mix and match during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings... [More]

TAMPA, Fla (AP) — New York Yankees left-handed Zack Britton is scheduled for surgery Monday to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and seems likely to be out until at least May. Britton will not be able to throw for several weeks while the incision heals after the operation by Yankees head team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Britton will then need to build arm strength. “It’s going to get taken care of and I’ll be able to pitch this year and help the team. And so that’s the most important thing,” he said Wednesday. “Could I rehab through it and possibly come back and it wouldn’t impact me? There was a chance. But we like the chances better of me coming back this season and pitching at a high level if I just got it removed now. If this was during the season, I’m not sure surgery would be the decision.” Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the Yankees' closer, and manager Aaron Boone said he will mix and match during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings... [More]

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox. Judging by his first Cactus League appearance, it looks like he's going to be just fine. The talented right-hander worked a perfect fourth inning Tuesday against San Diego. It was his first game since he opted out of the pandemic-shortened season for a variety of reasons, including concerns about his mental health. “It’s been a while, obviously,” Kopech said. “But it just felt good to kind of knock some rust off and get back out there and compete.” The 24-year-old Kopech, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, was a starter coming up through the minors and likely will return to Chicago’s rotation at some point. But he is expected to begin the year in the White Sox bullpen. Part of his spring training work involves getting up to speed when it comes to life as a reliever. He worked out of the stretch against the Padres. “If I am going to be throwing out of the bullpen for part of this year at least and maybe... [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]

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox. Judging by his first Cactus League appearance, it looks like he's going to be just fine. The talented right-hander worked a perfect fourth inning Tuesday against San Diego. It was his first game since he opted out of the pandemic-shortened season for a variety of reasons, including concerns about his mental health. “It’s been a while, obviously,” Kopech said. “But it just felt good to kind of knock some rust off and get back out there and compete.” The 24-year-old Kopech, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, was a starter coming up through the minors and likely will return to Chicago’s rotation at some point. But he is expected to begin the year in the White Sox bullpen. Part of his spring training work involves getting up to speed when it comes to life as a reliever. He worked out of the stretch against the Padres. “If I am going to be throwing out of the bullpen for part of this year at least and maybe... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton needs surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow and 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 going through tests because they’re not quite where we want them to be," Boone said. "But that said, let’s find out where we're at and... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton is not throwing because of a sore pitching elbow, was to be examined by a doctor on Tuesday and could miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not suspected of being hurt, an injury that could require 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 going through tests because they’re not quite where we want them to be," Boone said. "But that said, let’s find out where we're at and what it says and what the days ahead mean now. So Zack overall feels pretty good. He’s in good spirits about it. But let’s get the answers first.” Britton, 33, disclosed last weekend that he was recovering from COVID-19, which he contracted in January. He has not pitched in any exhibitions. “I think set him back a little bit in his buildup,”... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Zack Britton is not throwing because of a sore pitching elbow, was to be examined by a doctor on Tuesday and could miss the start of the season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Britton's ulnar collateral ligament was not suspected of being hurt, which could require 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 going through tests because they’re not quite where we want them to be," Boone said. "But that said, let’s find out where we're at and what it says and what the days ahead mean now. So Zack overall feels pretty good. He’s in good spirits about it. But let’s get the answers first.” Britton, 33, disclosed last weekend that he was recovering from COVID-19, which he contracted in January. He has not pitched in any exhibitions. “I think set him back a little bit in his buildup,” Boone... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán gave a public apology Wednesday for actions that led to a lengthy suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy, a day after he spoke with New York teammates and admitted he had engaged in dangerous conduct. Speaking softly and dabbing his eyes at times, Germán said through a translator he wanted “to sincerely apologize to the Steinbrenner family, my teammates, the front office and those around me who love me. I have made mistakes of which I’m not proud of.” The 28-year-old has been welcomed by teammates but also faced wariness as he attempts to regain a place in the starting rotation. “He messed up in life,” first baseman Luke Voit said. “I don’t know the things he did. You always get a second chance at this. We have his back. But he’s skating on thin ice, and he needs to get his life together. And I think he’s doing the right steps to do so. But, again, he’s got to prove to us that he can do that.” Germán was placed on... [More]