The Week Ahead For The Yankees

Feb 20, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Vidal Nuno (67) pitches off the mound during morning practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Let the games begin! Finally the return of Yankee baseball games is here. Six games are slated to kick off the Spring beginning with tomorrow’s exhibition game against the Florida State Seminoles.

Girardi sets rotation for the beginning of the week:

Tuesday, February 25th: The Yankees open the Grapefruit League schedule with an exhibition game at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Left-hander Vidal Nuno, who many expect to compete for the fifth starter spot all throughout the Spring, will get the ball first for the Yankees. Spectators can also be excited to see what reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston can do against the Yankees line-up if he gets to throw in the game.

Wednesday, Feb. 26th: The Yanks travel to Bradeton to take on the Pirates for their first road game. Fourth starter Ivan Nova will get the ball.

Thursday, Feb. 27th: The Yanks return to The Boss to take on the Pirates again. Right-hander David Phelps, another Yankee competing for the fifth and final rotation spot, makes his spring debut.

Friday, Feb. 28th: Adam Warren will make his first spring start as the Yanks travel to Lakeland to take on the Tigers. Warren, too, is part of the four man battle for the fifth rotation spot.

Joe Girardi has not yet announced the starters for Saturday’s home bout against the Phillies or Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays. Michael Pineida should be on track to start one of them as Yankee fans eagerly await the debut of Tanaka.

The Captain returns:
Derek Jeter will finally return to game action this Thursday against the Pirates in Tampa. Jeter ran the bases for the first time this past Sunday and said he felt good. Girardi is in no hurry to rush Jeter back for Tuesday’s opener as he would like to see him run the bases one more time before returning to game action.

Injury news and updates:

Alfonso Soriano is expected to return from his week-long battle with the flu with a workout today.

There is still no time table for Mark Teixeira‘s return. He has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut and after two injury plagued seasons the Yankees have to take caution with their star first baseman. Girardi has hinted Tex may be shelved for the better part of the first half of the Spring.

Left-hander and possible bullpen addition Nik Turley has been shut down for the week with a tight throwing arm. Tyler Austin, the Yankees outfield prospect, has been shut down indefinitely with a sore right wrist which plagued him for much of last season. Veteran relief pitcher Jim Miller, who was shut down last week is expected to return today.

The excitement begins tomorrow with the Yankees first pitch of the Spring slated for 1:05 pm.

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