Observations from Yankees’ spring training Friday:
Bombs away
The Yankees crushed five home runs in a blowout of the Twins, with Jasson Domínguez, J.C. Escarra, Spencer Jones, Paul DeJong and Duke Ellis all going deep.
Challenging
The Yankees ran out of ABS challenges by the bottom of the first inning after right fielder Yanquiel Fernandez and Luis Gil were both wrong in trying to get calls overturned.
Luis Gil delivers a pitch during the Yankees’ 17-5 blowout over the Twins in a Feb. 27, 2026 Grapefruit League game. Imagn Images
Gil later tried to challenge a ball in the second inning (that looked like a strike), but did not have one to use.
Caught my eye
Escarra launched his first homer of the spring off righty Cole Sands, a 413-footer that came off the bat at 109.6 mph — the hardest-hit ball of his career, according to Statcast.
“That means I’m eating well,” Escarra joked.
Saturday’s schedule
Paul Blackburn, who pitched in a piggyback role in his first appearance, will start against the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field, the last game for all of the Yankees’ WBC participants.
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