The Yankees end Spring Training this afternoon against the Tigers (YES HD, 1 p.m.), the team they will face when it begins for real Thursday at Yankee Stadium. From all accounts it’s obvious the players are in get-this-over-with mode. Report time wasn’t until 11 this morning and the team departs for New York immediately after the game. Wednesday afternoon, the Yankees will work out in the Bronx.
Most of Joe Girardi’s final roster decisions came before and after Monday’s washout. Eduardo Nunez, Eric Chavez and Bartolo Colon are headed north. Ramiro Pena, Justin Maxwell, Jesus Montero and Austin Romine are beginning the season in the Minors with Romine playing in Double-A Trenton. Ronnie Belliard was released and a deal is in the works to sell Romulo Sanchez to a Japanese league team.
Barring a late waiver pickup, Gustavo Molina and his 23 games of big-league experience will back up Russell Martin until Francisco Cervelli (foot) is ready to return. Montero and Romine failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to make the Yankees, but each will play every day in the Minors.
“When you look at those two young guys, we consider them front-line catchers in the Majors someday,” Girardi said. "They seem to understand it and will go down with the right attitude. We want them to play every day. We want, when they come up, not to have to go back.”
Still to be determined is whether Curtis Granderson (oblique) plays on Thursday, the weekend or begins the season on the disabled list. Granderson will compete in Minor League games Tuesday and Wednesday. If he comes through with no issues, it’s likely you’ll see him in the Opening Day lineup.
Pedro Feliciano (upper-arm shoulder soreness) will definitely begin on the DL; Luis Ayala and left-hander Steve Garrison are the top options to hold his place in the bullpen. Mark Prior will remain in Florida to continue his comeback after an impressive Spring Training. Prior hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2006, but confidence is high he’ll be pitching if not with the Yankees then somewhere in the bigs this year.
"They're thinking long term," Prior said. "I think I'm Major League ready stuff-wise. I've got to go back to back games, pitch more than one inning. I know there's a lot of things I can improve on."
UPDATE 12:09 p.m. Neither Garrison nor Ayala will break camp with the team, but one will be summoned to New York by wednesday night if the Yankees are unable to find a replacement for Feliciano.
UPDATE 11:18 p.m. Yankees lineup vs. Tigers today in Tampa:
Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Andruw Jones LF
Russell Martin C
Pitching: Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Mark Prior
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