Around the Empire: Yankees news - 3/3/17

New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: The Yankees are doing whatever they can to keep their pitchers healthy this spring, and even Aroldis Chapman is being handled carefully. He finally made his spring debut yesterday, striking out two in an inning of work. The Yankees are taking it slow with Chapman, saying he’ll be ready for the season but are also taking into account that they need him to be healthy for five years. He’s also coming off a long season, during which he showed clear signs of fatigue and complained about being overused.

New York Times | Billy Witz: There once was a baseball player named Babe Ruth, you may have heard of him. He played on the Yankees, you may have heard of them. Well now Eric Ruth, no relation, is looking for his chance to possibly make the club. Since 2013, Ruth has been working his way up the system and getting better every year and at every level, ending last season at Triple-A. While unlikely to get a crack at the Opening Day rotation, look for Ruth to be on the shortlist to be called up during the season in case of injury or if they need a spot starter.

New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: People are understandably excited to see James Kaprielian pitch and see what he can bring. The Yankees, though, are looking at the long term and not the short term, so are taking it extremely slow with Kaprielian. But Kaprielian says he understands and is “on board” with the team’s decision. Also, CC Sabathia will make his spring debut on Tuesday, while Masahiro Tanaka will make his second start Sunday against the Pirates.

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: In 2011, the Yankees were extremely close to acquiring Cliff Lee from the Mariners, but an injury stopped the trade and saw Lee go to the Rangers instead. David Adams was the prospect who ankle injury stopped Lee from coming to the Bronx. The organization, however, remembers him for the highly-touted prospect he was, thus gave him a chance to be a minor league coach now that he’s done playing.