The Yankees are headed to Disney World today – more specifically, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., where they will take on the Braves at 1:05 p.m.
Hiroki Kuroda, who Joe Girardi has said will open the season as his No. 2 starter, is on the mound, and he has a handful of regulars behind him. The starting lineup:
Eduardo Nunez SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Raul Ibanez DH
Eric Chavez 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
DeWayne Wise CF
Chris Dickerson RF
Justin Maxwell LF
Among the pitchers on the trip who may see action behind Kuroda are Cory Wade, prospect Adam Warren, switch-pitcher Pat Venditte, and lefty Cesar Cabral.
According to Chad Jennings of the LoHud Yankees Blog, Girardi said on Wednesday that the Yankees will likely carry a second lefty in the bullpen, with the competition between Cabral and Clay Rapada. Both have had great springs so far, but as Girardi said, the biggest issue with Cabral is that the team can only make an “educated guess of what his upside is.”
Non-roster invitees Jayson Nix, Bill Hall, Gustavo Molina, and Doug Bernier are among the reserves Girardi will have on the bench in Lake Buena Vista as well.
Also, Curtis Granderson, who felt soreness in his elbow on Wednesday, went for a precautionary MRI Thursday morning, and the team hopes to know more later in the afternoon.
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