Yankees aside, here’s Spring Training in the rest of the AL East

It’s always crucial for the Yankees and their fans to keep an eye on the rest of the American League East competition, even in Spring Training.

The Yankees and still undefeated in Grapefruit League action. Other teams, not so much.

The Toronto Blue Jays are on a four-game skid after winning their first game of Spring Training, and yesterday announced that projected Opening Day starter Marcus Stroman is out indefinitely with shoulder inflammation.

Stroman has never missed a regular-season start and could be back in time for Opening Day, but is there is no timetable for his return. But the news from Blue Jays’ camp isn’t all bad.

Former Cardinals’ set up man and closer Seung-hwan Oh agreed on Tuesday to a one-year deal with the Jays. Oh is expected to take over the set-up role vacated by Dominic Leone in the offseason.

The Blue Jays designated Ezequiel Carrera for assignment to make room for Oh.

Second baseman Devon Travis, catcher Russell Martin and centerfielder Anthony Alford are all having good offensive springs, with Martin and Alford hitting homers in recent games.

Alford was rated the best athlete and best defender in the Blue Jays’ system after last season. He is a player to watch for in 2018.

For the Baltimore Orioles, Spring Training has also gotten off to a slow start with one win, four losses and one tie.

The most significant news concerns the Orioles’ starting rotation, as they enter camp with only three recognized starters: Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, and a newly re-signed Chris Tillman.

The Orioles will also be short-handed in the bullpen until the return of Zach Britton who suffered an Achilles injury in the offseason. He is expected to be out until mid-June.

The good news for the O’s is that Jonathan Schoop is off to a good start and seems to have rebounded from elbow bursitis — as he hit a home run on Monday. Schoop is now 2-for-6 on the spring season with a homer and three RBI.

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Manny Machado is likewise off to a good start, going 3-for-7 in Grapefruit League action.

J.D. Martinez is the big news for the Red Sox this spring — finally signing a five-year, $110 million deal with the club. He was introduced on Monday after a prior foot injury called for new contract language, holding things up.

The Red Sox are 4-1 this spring season, having lost their first game on Tuesday to the Cardinals.

Like the Orioles, the Red Sox begin the season short on starting pitchers; however, for the Sox, it’s a matter of pitchers being beset by injury.

Both Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright are recovering from knee surgery and are expected to vie for the fifth spot in the rotation when they return. There is no speculation as to how soon that might be.

Dustin Pedroia is likewise out recovering from off-season major knee surgery after he was plagued with lingering knee problems in 2017, resulting in twice being put on the disabled list in August. There’s no real date targeted for his return, as well, although it may be as early as late April or early May.

Marco Hernandez, who was slated to be in the mix for a utility spot along with Eduardo Nunez, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury that will require surgery to repair.

The Red Sox offense really hasn’t really gotten going yet. Third baseman Brock Holt is having a decent go of it, going 3-for-8 with one RBI and a .375 batting average.

Xander Bogaerts is 2-for-5 with a .400 average and star outfielder Mookie Betts is due any day now for his first hit of the spring. So far, he is 0-for-7.

The Tampa Bay Rays have entered a full rebuild, or whatever you want to call what’s happening in Tampa.

The Rays have traded or designated for assignment the face of the franchise, their best offensive player and an All-Star outfielder all since last season: Evan Longoria, Steven Souza, Jr., Corey Dickerson and Jake Odorizzi all wear different uniforms headed in 2018.

On the plus side, the Rays picked up Denard Span in the Longoria trade and made a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for C.J. Cron (for a player to be named later).

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If you’re looking for a silver lining, the Rays are 3-3 on the spring season. Cron already hit his first home run as a Ray and Span is 4-for-8 with two RBI on the young season. So there’s that.

It’s always crucial for the Yankees and their fans to keep an eye on the rest of the American League East competition, even in Spring Training.

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