Yankees announce 2018 spring training schedule

Though the baseball season only came to a dramatic conclusion mere weeks ago, Yankees fans already have Feb. 13 circled on their calendars as the day pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, FL.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the freshest installment of Yankees baseball.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love Sunday football, the NBA — from Christmas Day-on, March Madness and European soccer.

But nothing beats the renewed optimism that is spring training, especially considering the Yanks fell a single game shy of a World Series berth!

Of course, there is much to be done before Grapefruit League action gets underway on Feb .23 against the Tigers; namely:

• Brian Cashman signing a new contract to remain as GM
• Appointing a new manager
• Winning the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes
• December’s Winter Meetings
• Trading Jacoby Ellsbury
• Re-signing CC Sabathia
• Surviving the Rule 5 draft

As an early Valentine’s Day gift, pitchers and catchers will report to Tampa on Feb. 13. Position players will arrive on Feb. 18 and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19.

Yankees 2018 Spring Training Schedule

Here are the dates and locations you’ll need come next spring!

Friday, Feb. 23 vs. Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24 vs. Pirates in Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 25 vs. Phillies in Clearwater, 1:05 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 26 vs. Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 6:35 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 27 vs. Blue Jays in Dunedin, 1:05 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 28 vs. Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field 1:05 p.m.

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Thursday, March 1 vs. Phillies in Clearwater, 1:05 p.m.

Friday, March 2 vs. Braves at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 3 vs. Red Sox in Fort Myers, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, March 4 vs. Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday, March 6 vs. Tigers in Lakeland, 1:05 p.m.

Wednesday, March 7 vs. Mets in Port St. Lucie, 1:05 p.m.

Thursday, March 8 vs. Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Friday, March 9 vs. Braves in Lake Buena Vista, 6:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 vs. Mets at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, March 11 vs. Marlins in Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

Monday, March 12 vs. Twins at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 6:35 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13 vs. Detroit at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Wednesday, March 14 vs. Orioles in Sarasota, 1:05 p.m.

Thursday, March 15 vs. Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Friday, March 16 vs. Astros at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 6:35 p.m.

Saturday, March 17 vs. Tigers in Lakeland, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, March 18 vs. Marlins at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Monday, March 19 vs. Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 6:35 p.m.

Tuesday, March 20 vs. Tigers in Lakeland, 1:05 p.m.

Wednesday, March 21 vs. Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 6:35 p.m.

Thursday, March 22 vs. Twins in Fort Myers, 1:05 p.m.

Friday, March 23 vs. Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 24 (ss) vs. Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1:05 p.m.

and vs. Braves at Lake Buena Vista, 1:05 p.m.

Next: Yankees get closer to Ohtani

Sunday, March 25 vs. Rays in Port Charlotte, 1:05 p.m.

Monday, March 26 vs. Braves at SunTrust Park (Atlanta), 7:35 p.m.