S.T. Game 25. Donaldson homers twice in Yanks’ 6-3 win.

Josh Donaldson homered twice and drove in four runs in the Yanks (10-14-1 in spring training) 6-3 win over Detroit on Tuesday.

Now is the time to start seeing results, with Opening Day 9 days away. You want to hit the ground running.

Luis Severino has not had a good spring before today, even though everyone says he is healthy. The day didn’t start out well, as he gave up a HR to the leadoff hitter and 2 runs in the first inning, but he settled in after that. His performance this spring has been concerning so far.

Torres 1 for 3, RBI.
Donaldson 2 for 3, 2 HR 4 RBI
Volpe 1 for 2. Double, walk, SB. #1 prospect. I think he should be starting SS.
Kiner-Falefa 1 for 3, was in LF
Alexander Vargas 1 for 1 double
Mickey Gasper 1 for 1
Ortega 1 for 3, SB

Severino 4 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 W, 9 K. Gave up 1 HR.
Holmes 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K
Loaisiga (Winner) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K.
Peralta 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K.
Norwood 2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 W, 3 K. 1 WP

S.T. Game 23. Yanks fall to Toronto, 5-2. Cortes’ first outing.

Because of a hamstring strain, Nestor Cortes is a little behind the other pitchers. He made his first spring training start today and the rust showed as he gave up five runs as the Yanks (9-13-1 in spring training) lost to Toronto 5-2.

I usually don’t pay too much attention to spring training results until the last 10 days or so. That time is coming up.

Today’s highlights:

Volpe 1 for 3, walk, run scored. #1 prospect. As far as I’m concerned, he should be starting SS.
Judge 1 for 4, double.
Stanton 2 for 3, RBI
Donaldson 0 for 3
Willie Calhoun 1 for 3. Doesn’t play all OF positions like Hicks or Ortega, but as far as LF goes, he has hit better this spring than Hicks, Cabrera, Florial or Ortega.
Kiner-Falefa 0 for 1, walk
Cabrera 0 for 2.
Ortega 0 for 3.
Chaparro 0 for 1
Sweeney 0 for 1 #7 prospect

Cortes (L) 3 1/3 IP, 5 R, 3 H, 3 W, 4 K. Gave up 2 HR.
King 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K. 1 HBP
Loaisiga 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.
Holmes 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.
Hamilton 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 0 K. 1 HBP

S.T. Game 22. German roughed up in Yanks 8-7 loss.

It was not a good outing for Domingo German, who gave up 7 runs on 4 HR and 2 HBP in an outing that lasted less than three innings. The Yanks (9-12-1 in spring training) lost to Detroit, 8-7.

The lineup featured mostly prospects and minor leaguers. The most notable thing was IKF in CF.

Volpe 0 for 4 #1 prospect.
Benjamin Cowles 1 for 1, 2-run HR.
Peraza 1 for 3, was HBP. #3 prospect
Hicks 2 for 3 with walk but made his third bad fielding play of spring training.
Kiner-Falefa (IKF) 1 for 3
Spencer Jones 2 for 2 #5 prospect
Estevan Florial 2 for 4, 3 RBI
Wilmer Difo 2 for 4, 2-run HR
Mickey Gasper 1 for 1

German (L) 2 2/3 IP, 7 R, 9 H, 0 W, 1 K. Gave up 4 HR. 2 HBP.
Krook 2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 W, 3 K. Gave up HR
Deivi Garcia 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 3 K.
Danish 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.

S.T. Game 20. Yanks lose to Phils, 9-8.

The Yanks (9-10-1 in spring training) gave up 7 runs before they came to bat, came back to take an 8-7 lead, but then fell to the Phillies 9-8 Wednesday afternoon.

Luis Severino started and had a bad first inning before settling in. He says he feels fine but so far this spring the results aren’t there. It is only spring training but from here on in, you want to see better results so that when the regular season starts, he hits the ground running.

Meanwhile, it was announced that Gerrit Cole—to no surprise—will be the Yanks’ Opening Day starting pitcher.

Jose Trevino is dealing with a strained right wrist but should be ok.

Michael Hermosillo was sent down to minor league camp.

From what I’ve seen, Anthony Volpe should be the Yanks’ starting shortstop. The kid continues to impress.

Highlights:

Volpe 1 for 2, RBI, 2 walks, SB.
Judge 1 for 2, walk and double.
Cabrera 1 for 2, RBI double.
Rafael Ortega 0 for 3, 2 strikeouts, misplayed a ball in CF.
IKF 0 for 3, 2 strikeouts.
Hicks 0 for 2, walk, 2 strikeouts
Florial 0 for 2
Mickey Gasper 2 for 2, RBI

Severino 2 1/3 IP, 4 R, 2 H, 3 W, 4 K. 1 balk
C. Gomez 1/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 3 W, 1 K. 1 WP
Cowart 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.
Marinaccio 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. 1 HBP
Nick Ramirez 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K.
Luis Santos 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 W, 1 K.
Jack Neely (L) 1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 W, 1 K. gave up 1 HR.

S.T. Game 19. Yanks hit 5 HR in 10-3 win.

The Yankees (9-9-1 in spring training) hit 5 HR, 3 in the first inning, in beating Toronto 10-3 Tuesday night.

Andres Chaparro is having a heck of a spring, and it makes me wonder. I’m not too sure about his defense at 3B, but could he be putting himself in the mix to be the 3B in 2024? Josh Donaldson is 37 and I don’t see the Yanks picking up his option for 2024. Of course the Yanks could go with LeMahieu or Cabrera at 3B in 2024, but what if they want them both in a super-utility role? What if they don’t want to move Torres or Volpe to 3B? In any case, Chaparro is making the Yanks take notice.

D.J. LeMahieu, Donaldson and Estevan Florial all homered in the first inning, and Oswald Peraza added one later on.

LeMahieu 2 for 4, solo HR leading off bottom of first.
Chaparro 3-run HR.
Donaldson 3-run HR.
Peraza solo HR.
Florial 2-run HR.

Cole (Winner) 4 2/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 0 W, 6 K. Gave up 1 HR.
King 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K.
Peralta 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K.
Hamilton 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K.
Danish 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K

In order to get more versatility out of their players (and be better prepared for injuries) the Yanks will try out IKF in CF in an upcoming spring training game. IKF already is a C (bet you didn’t know that), SS, 3B, 2B … so ….

S.T. Game 17. Yanks tie, kids impress again.

The Yanks (8-8-1 in spring training) tied Boston Sunday, 3-3, but once again, the show was the kids.

#1 prospect Anthony Volpe went 2 for 4 with a double and HR, and #2 prospect Jasson “The Martian” Dominguez was 1 for 2.

Others:

Aaron Hicks 1 for 3, but I have noticed in spring training that a bad habit of his is continuing. He gets his hits with no one one, but continues to struggle with RISP.

Rafael Ortega 1 for 3 as he fights for an OF spot.

Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, who could be on the trade block, especially if Volpe wins that SS job, 1 for 2. I read where IKF, who made a lot of soft contact last year, put on 18 pounds of muscle in the offseason. Nice, but hope it doesn’t affect flexibility.

Andres Chaparro 1 for 3, RBI. Hmm. Donaldson is 37, and I don’t expect his option to be picked up after this season. Could Chaparro play himself into a 3B spot for 2024?

Jake Bauers 2 for 2, RBI.

Yoendrys Gomez 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 W, 4 K. 1 HBP. #11 prospect.
Cordero (BS) 1 1/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 W, 1 K. gave up HR. Hurt himself today in trying for bullpen spot.
Abreu 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K
Marinaccio 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K.
Weissert 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K.
Evans 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K

S.T. Game 15 & 16. The Martian homers again, but Yanks lose both split squad games

You have to remember that Jasson Dominguez, aka as “The Martian”, is only 20 years old and has only played a handful of games in AA, where he will probably start out at in 2023.

But it is ok to dream of him being in the Bronx soon. He homered yet again today in one of the Yankees (8-8 in spring training) split squad games. He played in the home game, in which they lost to the Phillies, 6-3.

The Yanks only had four hits in this game.

LeMahieu 1 for 2 with a walk
Judge 0 for 2 with a walk.
Stanton 2 for 3, single and double.
Dominguez 1 for 3, 2-run HR #2 prospect
Volpe 0 for 1 with a walk, also was HBP #1 prospect

German 2 1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 0 W, 3 K
M. Gomez 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K.
Peralta 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K
Holmes 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 0 K 1 HBP
King 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K.
Krook (L) 2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 W, 3 K. 2 WP has shot at bullpen spot.
Keating 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 1 WP

They lost the away game, 3-0 to the Pirates, getting just 5 hits.

Peraza 0 for 3 #3 prospect
Kiner-Falefa 1 for 3
Florial 0 for 2, 2 strikeouts. I expect him to be DFA’d soon.
Donaldson 0 for 3
McKinney 2 for 3
Jones 0 for 2, 2 strikeouts #5 prospect.

Weber (L) 2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 W, 1 K. Gave up 2 HR 1 balk
Hamilton 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K.
Ramirez 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K. Has shot at bullpen spot.
Santos 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 W, 1 K.

S.T. Game 14. Yanks edge Tigers, 4-3. Bader questionable for Opening Day.

The injury list of Yankees added another player, as CF Harrison Bader has a left oblique strain, and his timetable is uncertain. There is the good possibility that he will also miss Opening Day.

With P Carlos Rodon missing Opening Day, other starters will have to pull more weight, and after a couple of rough outings to start spring training, Luis Severino had a better performance yesterday. After several years of injuries, we are hoping for the Sevy that won 19 games a few years ago and was a 2x All-Star.

Sevy gave up a couple HR, but both were solo shots. 2 R in 4 IP. The Yanks (8-6 in spring training) got a run in the top of the 9th inning to beat Detroit, 4-3. The Yanks only had 5 hits in the game and struck out 15x.

Isaiah Kiner-Falefa hit a 2-run HR for the Yanks. There are trade rumors regarding IKF, especially with the Dodgers and Rockies.

Oswaldo Cabrera 1 for 3, double.
IKF 2 for 3, 2 RBI, 2-run HR
Anthony Seigler 1 for 1, walk, GW RBI single.
Billy McKinney 1 for 2, RBI

Severino 4 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 W, 3 K. Gave up 2 HR.
Brito (H) 3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 0 W, 3 K Gave up 1 HR. #27 prospect
Norwood (Winner) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K.
Bowman (S) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.

The Yanks will have two games today, as they will split their squad. The away game is against Pittsburgh and the home game is against the Phillies.

S.T. Game 10. The Martian keys 8-run 9th as Yanks comeback to win 10-6.

The game didn’t start out well as new Yankee Carlos Rodon, in his first spring training outing, gave up 2 HR and 5 runs. Also, the streaky Giancarlo Stanton doesn’t have a hit in spring training so far and was 0 for 3 Sunday with 3 strikeouts.

Down 6-2 going into the top of the ninth, Jamie Westbrook and Jasson “the Martian” Dominguez each hit 3-run homers in an 8-run inning to give the Yankees (6-4 in spring training) a 10-6 win.

Notes:

Harrison Bader 0 for 2, walk.
Everson Pereira 1 for 2, double (#6 prospect)
Gleyber Torres 0 for 3
Oswaldo Cabrera 1 for 3, solo HR. Looking for LF job, looks like he will be utility man. “where’s Oswaldo?”
Stanton 0 for 3, 3 strikeouts.
Kiner-Falefa 0 for 3. It appears both Peraza and Volpe are beating him out for the SS job.
Westbrook 1 for 2, 3-run HR.
Estevan Florial 0 for 2. Out of options and I think he gets DFA’d
Higashioka 0 for 2
Dominguez 1 for 2, 3-run HR (#2 prospect)

Pitching:

Rodon 2+ IP, 5 R, 6 H, 1 W, 2 K. Gave up 2 HR. 1 HBP
Abreu 2 IP, 0 r, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. trying for bullpen job, out of options
Krook 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 4 K. Lefty trying for bullpen job. longshot but would give Yanks 2nd lefty (Peralta)
Evans (Winner) 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 0 K.
Santos 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K.

S.T. Game 6. Narvaez walk-off HR gives Yanks 4-2 win. #4 Prospect Austin Wells out 2 months with broken rib.

C Carlos Narvaez hit a two-out, two-run HR in the bottom of the ninth to give the Yankees (4-2 in spring training) a 4-2 win over Washington Wednesday afternoon.

Before the game, #4 prospect C Austin Wells found out his rib problem was actually a fractured rib. He will be out 6-8 weeks.

The Yanks had a lot of regulars in this game, and the starting lineup resembled a regular season lineup.

LeMahieu 2B 1 for 2
Judge RF 0 for 2
Rizzo 1b 1 for 2
Stanton DH 0 for 2
Donaldson 3B 0 for 1, walk, run
Bader CF 1 for 2, RBI triple, run
Hicks LF 1 for 2
Higashioka C 0 for 2 going soon to WBC (World Baseball Classic) for games
Kiner-Falefa SS 0 for 2

Key reserves:

Volpe (#1 prospect) 0 for 2 1 strikeout. Trying to grab SS job.
Florial 0 for 2, 2 strikeouts. Out of options. If doesn’t make team, would be DFA’d
Cabrera 1 for 2
Calhoun 0 for 1, walk (trying to win LF job)
Dominguez (#2 prospect) 0 for 1, walked in front of Narvaez HR, struck out.earlier.
Narvaez 1 for 2. 2-run GW HR in bottom of 9th.

Pitchers

German 2 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 3 K. 1 HBP (competing with Schmidt for #5 rotation spot with Montas out)
Weissert 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K. Let inherited runner score (Charged to German) fighting for bullpen spot
Loaisiga 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. going soon to WBC
Yoendrys Gomez 3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 2 K. 2 HBP #11 prospect
Ryan Weber 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. Longshot for a bullpen spot.