#Behind the Yankees’ decision to sit five starters vs. Mets
“#Behind the Yankees’ decision to sit five starters vs. Mets”
July 19, 2020 | 5:22am
The final intrasquad game of spring training 2.0 was played before the Yankees traveled to Citi Field and topped the Mets, 9-3, on Saturday night. They play host to the Mets at Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening and will play the Phillies in The Bronx on Monday night.
So, it was clear that starters were not going to play four straight games, and Boone left Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Gary Sanchez, Brett Gardner and Luke Voit at the Stadium to work out.
“In my head I am looking at [Friday] night’s game was a game for us,’’ Boone said. “Four days where most of our guys will play three out of four. A couple might play in all four but for the most part looking at three out of four so those were the guys [Saturday].’’
Masahiro Tanaka is slated to throw a second bullpen session on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. If that goes well the right-hander will upgrade to facing live hitters next week. That would be the first time Tanaka will pitch to a batter since Giancarlo Stanton’s 112 mph line drive hit the right-hander in the head on July 4 and caused a concussion.
Boone didn’t have an update about Luis Cessa and Aroldis Chapman, who are quarantining away from the club due to COVID-19.
Boone used the exhibition game to bring Miguel Andujar from left field to the shortstop side of second base in the fifth inning to provide Zack Britton with five infielders while pitching to pitch to Tomas Nido with one out. Nido then dumped a single into right.
“I think it makes a lot of sense depending on the situation and the hitter that is up there,’’ said Britton, who worked an intrasquad game with the same alignment.
Jordan Montgomery starts against the Mets on Sunday night and Deivi Garcia opens versus the Phillies on Monday evening.
Gio Urshela went down during batting practice when hit in the groin. He was attended to by trainer Steve Donohue on the field and walked off. However, Urshela was in the lineup and made several slick plays at third base. After the game Boone said Urshela was OK.
Boone said it was good to experience what life on the road is in the new environment.
“I thought by and large it went really well,’’ he said. “It was easy to get our work in.’’
After two weeks of facing their own pitchers in live batting practice or simulated games, seeing a hurler in a different uniform is a big step toward preparing for Opening Day on Thursday at Washington.
“That is going to help us get ready,’’ Urshela said about facing an opposing pitcher.
Asked what the bus ride from The Bronx to Queens was like, Urshela said he drove himself. Boone also drove with bench coach Carlos Mendoza.
Asked about spring training 2.0 injuries, Boone said shortstop prospect Kyle Holder was checked out for a hip/stomach issue Friday night. Other than that the manager couldn’t think of another injury.
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