April 2, 2016

New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins
Marlins Park
Miami, Florida

NYY SPRING TRAINING 2016 – IT’S OVER

By: Rocky Julich

As Yogi Berra would say “it ain’t over ’til it’s over”.

Spring Training. The New York Yankees 114^th season in franchise history began their 33 total spring schedule with first game on Wednesday, March 2^nd vs. the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The 2016 Spring Training season began with a camp roster of 69 players: Pitchers 33 – Catchers 9 – Infielders 15 – Outfielders 11 – DH 1 (Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez).

After an April 1^st and April 2^nd two game schedule vs. Miami Marlins, 2016 Spring Training is over. The first game was a Yankees win (3-2). The final game of spring was played under a domed Marlin Park Stadium, Yankees lose (2-1).

The Yankees 2016 Spring Training record: 14 Wins – 17 Losses – 2 Tied Games

The New York Yankees will officially open their 2016 Major League Baseball season at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx at 1:05 P.M. on Monday, April 4^th vs. the Houston Astros. It is a rematch of the October, 2015 American League Wild Card game with starters Dallas Keutchel vs. Masahiro Tanaka for the Yankees.

It will be the 114^th Yankees Home Opener. The 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Following the game, Matsui will be honored with the “Pride Of The Yankees Award” at the Annual Home Coming Dinner. The Japanese outfielder played during seven seasons and two World Series for the New York Yankees.

Twenty-five players will start the 2016 season in The Bronx.

THE STARTING LINE-UP:
#22 – CF Jacoby Ellsbury (L-L)
#11 – LF Brett Gardner (L-L)
#13 – DH Alex Rodriguez (R-R)
#25 – 1B Mark Teixeira (S-R)
#34 – C Brian McCann (L-R)
#36 – RF Carlos Beltran (S-R)
#12 – 3B Chase Headley (S-R)
#14 – 2B Starlin Castro (R-R)
#18 – SS Didi Gregorious (L-R)

ON THE BENCH:
#43 – C Austin Romine (R-R)
#74 – INF Ronald Torreyes (R-R)
#29 – OF Dustin Ackley (L-R)
#31 – OF Aaron Hicks (S-R)
#66 – OF Mason Williams (L-R)

STARTING ROTATION
#19 – Masahiro Tanaka (RHP)
#35 – Michael Pineda (RHP)
#30 – Nathan Eovaldi (RHP)
#40 – Luis Severino (RHP)
#52 – C.C. Sabathia (LHP)

BULLPEN:
#68 – Dellin Betances (RHP)
#45 – Chasen Shreve (LHP)
#48 – Andrew Miller – Closer (LHP)
#47 – Ivan Nova (RHP)
#39 – Kirby Yates (L/RP)
#83 – Johnny Barbato (RHP)

YANKEES FINAL SPRING TRAINING NOTES:
Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka will open the season following off-season elbow surgery.
Masahiro Tanaka 2016 goal is 200 innings pitched.
Astros starter Dallas Keuchel will open the season with a twenty-eight scoreless streak vs. the Yankees.
Yankees 5^th starter C.C. Sabathia will start the season continuing an alcohol rehabilitation program.
Yankees newest pitcher from Cuba, Aroldis Chapman under suspension until May for domestic abuse.
Yankees right-hand pitcher Bryan Mitchell will start the season on DL with a fractured toe. Out three months.
Yankees outfielder Mason Williams did not play during Spring Training.
Yankees Manager Joe Girardi quote “The key to 2016 season is Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner staying healthy”.
*RHP Johnny Barbato was the recipient of the 2016 James P. Dawson Award given annually to the Yankees outstanding Rookie in Spring Training.

SPRING TRAINING ENDED WITH 2016 TOPICS FOR MLB COMMISSIONER ROB MANFRED:
Kids presence in the Clubhouse
Follow-up of Tampa Bay Rays – Cuba game
Smokeless Tobacco Policy enforcement
New Domestic Abuse Policy
Tanking
“PLAY BALL”

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This story was not subject to the approval of Major League baseball or its clubs.