Bomber Bites for March 26th
By Joe Vitulli
Mar 20, 2014; Fort Myers, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) hits a home run during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
- Pineda Named Fifth Starter: In what was a surprise to exactly no one who has watched the Yankees this spring, the Yankees officially named Michael Pineda the fifth starter. He will pitch the second game of the Blue Jays series in Toronto on April 5th.
- Bye Bye Murphy: Catching prospect John Ryan Murphy was optioned to Triple-A before the game today. That leaves the Yankees with Francisco Cervelli, Austin Romine and Jose Gil as the only backup catchers in camp for the last week. With Murphy now entrenched at Triple-A, it feeds the rumors that Cervelli or Romine may be traded before opening day.
- Today’s Game: The Yankees play an away game this afternoon against the Blue Jays. Most of the Yankee regulars will make the trip and Dellin Betances is scheduled to pitch in relief. No radio or TV for the game.
- Injury Updates: Jacoby Ellsbury got 6 at-bats as the DH in a minor league game on Tuesday and will play in another minor league game today. Depending on weather conditions, he may even play in the field. Brendan Ryan, nearly guaranteed to start the season on the DL, received a cortisone shot in relieve the spasms in his lower back and states that he is feeling better each day. However, he has had only eight at-bats the entire camp.
- This Date in Yankee History: In 1951, the Yankees made their first ever trip to the West Coast as part of their spring training (The Giants and Dodgers would not move to California for six more years). A young rookie named Mickey Mantle had two home runs, a single and triple against the University of Southern California at Bovard Field. In what was a sign of future tape measure shots to come, one of the dingers was estimated to travel 650 feet. Those are your Bomber Bites for March 26th!