I know it’s only a meaningless Spring Training game, but damn yo, the Yankees lost their ace to a shoulder injury yesterday. Avenge the shoulder inflammation gods with a Grapefruit League win today! In all seriousness, damn, losing Severino stinks. Even if it is only two weeks and he’s perfectly fine afterward, not having him for the start of the regular season hurts. Sucks. What can you do.
Anyway, the Yankees are back in action this afternoon, with possible Severino replacement Jonathan Loaisiga on the mound. It is open competition time. Loaisiga, Luis Cessa, and Domingo German are all pitching for a spot in the big league rotation now. Also, DJ LeMahieu is playing third base again, and Aroldis Chapman will make his second spring appearance. Lots going on today. Here is the Cardinals’ lineup and here are the players the Yankees will use:
- CF Brett Gardner
- RF Aaron Judge
- DH Giancarlo Stanton
- 1B Greg Bird
- SS Gleyber Torres
- 3B DJ LeMahieu
- LF Clint Frazier
- C Austin Romine
- 2B Tyler Wade
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga
Available Position Players: C Kellin Deglan, C Francisco Diaz, C Ryan Lavarnway, C Jorge Saez, 1B Mike Ford, IF Oswaldo Cabrera, IF Thairo Estrada, IF Wilkerman Garcia, IF Kyle Holder, OF Trey Amburgey, OF Billy Burns, OF Estevan Florial, OF Matt Lipka, OF Ben Ruta. Cabrera, Garcia, and Ruta are up from minor league camp for the day.
Available Pitchers: LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Cale Coshow, LHP Danny Coulombe, LHP Phil Diehl, RHP Joe Harvey, RHP Jose Mesa Jr., LHP James Reeves, RHP Adonis Rosa. Mesa, Reeves, and Rosa are extra arms from minor league camp.
It is sunny but on the chilly side in Tampa today. Temperatures will be in the upper-50s/lower-60s for today’s game. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm ET and you can watch live on YES and MLB.tv. There are no MLB.tv blackouts in Spring Training. Enjoy the game, folks.