Yankees News and Notes from 3/16/2017

There is a lot going on in Tampa as we pass the midway point of Spring Training. So here’s a little news and notes out of Yankees Spring Training to warm you up on this cold March day.

After scouting veteran relief pitcher Ernesto Frieri during Columbia’s run in the World Baseball Classic, it looks like the Yankees intend to bring the 31-year-old into camp to compete for one of three open bullpen spots.

In his lone outing in the WBC, Frieri worked two shutout frames, striking out the Dominican Republic’s Nelson Cruz, and inducing two crucial ground outs.

Though Frieri didn’t throw a regular-season pitch last season, after being released by the Phillies at the end of Spring Training, the seven-year veteran has compiled a 3.55 ERA, 73 saves, and a 1.225 WHIP in 296.1 innings pitched.

His most accomplished season came in 2013 as a member of the Angels when he saved 37 games — striking out 98 batters in 68.2 innings.

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Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke to the Associated Press about Frieri’s chances of making the club.

“This is a guy that saved a lot of games,” Girardi said after Wednesday night’s 3-1 win over Philadelphia. “He pitched well in the WBC. Some of our people saw him and he’s going to get an opportunity here.“We don’t have that much time, but if (Frieri’s) here, he’s got an opportunity,” Girardi said. “He’s been pitching competitively, so you’ve got to figure he’s not behind.”

James ‘Caged Bull’ Kaprielian Gets His Shot

The top pitching prospect in the Yankees’ organization will get his first taste of facing off against big league hitting when he toes the rubber against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, FL, on Thursday afternoon.

Girardi says that James Kaprielian will pitch one inning of relief, though, he did not specify how many pitches that would entail. Earlier in camp, Girardi let it be known that Kaprielian wouldn’t see any game action this spring — yet possibly because of how dominant Kap’s looked in side sessions and simulated contests, the Yankees reversed their course on the former UCLA product.

Kaprielian spoke to NJ Advance Media about what he expects from Thursday’s outing.

Next: Girardi Wants to Fix the WBC

“Regardless of what they want me to do, my job is to go out there and compete and do what they ask of me and (Thursday) they’re going to give me a chance at it,” Kaprielian said. “I’m going to have a good time. Regardless of the outcome, it’ll be good to go out there and compete again and get back in a live game situation.”