Here are some notes from the Yankees’ Grapefruit League opener Friday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays…
Ain’t Stro worries
Marcus Stroman has found himself square in the middle of things early in camp.
The veteran right-hander, who didn’t have much of a role down the stretch last season, showed up two days after pitchers and catchers reported and said that he wasn’t willing to pitch out of the bullpen if the team asked.
With his role still uncertain, the Yanks have been looking to move him, but they haven’t had any luck to this point.
Aaron Boone decided to give him the nod in Friday’s spring opener and he put together a scoreless inning, striking out the first batter he faced before working around a pair of two out singles.
Afterward, Stroman told reporters including Gary Phillips of the NY Daily News, that he has “zero regrets” about his comments and he’s not worried about how the Yankees’ rotation will shake out.
“I know who I am as a pitcher,” he said. “I’m a very confident pitcher. I don’t think you’d want someone in your starting rotation that would be like, ‘Hey, I’m gonna go to the bullpen.’ That’s not someone you want.”
Stroman is owed $18 million this season.
JT Brubaker leaves game early
Brubaker put together a scoreless inning of work as he made his Yankee debut, but he was forced to leave after being struck on his lower side by a comebacker in the top of the fifth.
Boone told reporters postgame that the righty tweaked his side attempting to get out of the way of the liner, and he is currently receiving treatment.
Brubaker was acquired in a deal with the Pirates in May. He was working his way back from Tommy John surgery at the time, but was forced to shut things down during his rehab assignment due to an oblique issue.
Finally fully healthy, the 31-year-old is expected to fill a long-relief role and serve as rotation depth for the Yanks this season.
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