David Adams isn't Dead Yet: While it was previously reported that Yankees prospect David Adams would miss all of spring training due to a back injury, that does not seem to be the case. Cashman has since clarified that he's rehabbing an existing back issue "so he'll start behind in big league camp." It's nice to hear that he isn't completely off the table just yet, but I imagine he lost any chance of making the club out of camp that he might have had. Hopefully he'll be able to showcase his talents so that he could get a call up if he's ever needed.
Boston Transplant: Kevin Youkilis arrived in camp for the first time today. That's probably weird to think about and it's probably weird for him too. Youk spoke a lot about his feelings towards coming to New York after spending a majority of his career in Boston.
I'll always be a Red Sock," Youkilis said. "To negate all the years I played for the Boston Red Sox, and all the tradition, you look at all the stuff I have piled up at my house and to say I'd just throw it out the window, it's not true.
I don't really care what he has to say about the Red Sox and the Yankees as long as it doesn't get in the way of him performing for the team he is on now. He clearly wants people to realize that he's simply a person doing a job, not the root of all Red Sox evil. I think his comments were more for Sox fans rather than Yankee fans. As long as he's good I don't have a problem rooting for him.
Bullpen Competition: The Yankees intend for the recently acquired Shawn Kelley to compete for a spot in the bullpen. Girardi had this to say about him:
"He's another power arm, and a guy that has been used late in games," Girardi said. "He's a guy who can give you two innings if you need that, and I think that's important that you have guys that can do different things."
His main competition for a spot would Cody Eppley, but I think he's already a guy with no spot on the team at the moment, unless Clay Rapada is also not promised a spot on the team. Both Eppley and Kelley have an option so they can easily be stored in Triple-A. There might be something going on with Boone Logan's elbow, maybe, so maybe everyone has a spot open for them after all. Cesar Cabral, meanwhile, seems to be out of the running for the final LOOGY/ROOGY roll in the bullpen. We can't possibly have a guy that can pitch to anyone, though.
Pitchers Begin to Throw: David Phelps, Adam Warren, Cody Eppley, and Brett Marshall have all now faced live batters. Phelps has stated that he pushes him arm in the offseason so that he's ready to go in the spring, faster. He did it last year and it might have helped him secure a role on the team. He did the same thing this year as he tries to claim a rotation spot from Ivan Nova, who still has to earn a job. He's at least the favorite to be the long man in the bullpen, but he's ready to do whatever the team needs him to do in order to help them win.
On the Way Back: Michael Pineda regrets coming to camp over weight last offseason and now he's dropped 20 pounds, reporting to camp at 260 lbs. Everything seems to be going well for him at the moment. He feels healthy and has already progressed to throwing off of a full mound. He's currently projected to be ready to help the big league club around June, so there are "no guarantees, but so far we're cautiously optimistic," says Brian Cashman.
Elbow Recovery: CC Sabathia has yet to throw a bullpen session this spring. The Yankee ace is coming off of minor surgery to remove a bone spur from his left elbow. He seems to be perfectly healthy so he'll throw for the first time on Saturday.
Quote of the Day: "Clean-shaven and everything," Girardi said. "Looks good. Looks good." - Girardi on Youkilis