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Good morning, Pinstripe Alley.
Before we get on to the batch of morning news, I figured I'd let everyone know we've only got eight days until the Yankees and Rays do battle down in Tampa Bay to open the season. So. Close.
Nick Swisher played in his first game on Wednesday since being sidelined by a groin injury a week ago. Swisher ended up going 4 for 8 with two singles, a double and an opposite field home run as well as two walks during the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Trenton intrasquad game.
Here's a bubbly quote from Jolly 'Ole Saint Nick:
"It was nice just bouncing around," Swisher said. "I’m super excited. It’s the first time I’ve been out here playing."
In more injury news, Curtis Granderson's MRI on his right elbow turned out negative. Now it's time to get the outfield back together!
Briefly mentioned on Pinstripe Alley yesterday, the Yankees signed Jack Cust to a minor league deal on Wednesday after he was released by the Houston Astros on Tuesday. Cust, 33, played in only 67 games last season, managing to compile a triple slash of .213/.344/.329. While he likely won't see the Bronx unless there's a plethora of injuries, we'll see what he can do.
The Yankees released Preston Mattingly late on Tuesday evening. Just in case you don't remember, New York signed Mattingly to a minor league deal back in January. He had been playing in Double-A Trenton. Unsurprisingly, he won't live up to what his father accomplished in pinstripes throughout the 80s and 90s.
And don't look now, but it appears the YES Network has finally found a replacement for Kim Jones. Meredith Marakovits has signed on to be the new clubhouse reporter for the Yankees this season.