Around the Empire: Yankees News - 3/27/19

Newsday | Anthony Rieber: Some of the strongest spring training showings for the Yankees belonged to Greg Bird and Troy Tulowitzki, two guys that most of us, if asked in October, might not have even pegged as breaking camp with the team. Spring stats aren’t super predictive going forward, but both players are looking to hit the ground running come Opening Day and could be positive surprises.

NJ.com | Brandan Kuty: Aaron Hicks has yet to return to baseball activities as the team gears up for Opening Day on Thursday. Hicks was penciled in to be the team’s starting center fielder before going down with a bad back, and doesn’t seem soon to return. Meanwhile, fellow injured outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is “doing some things” according to Aaron Boone. Make of that what you will.

FanGraphs | Craig Edwards: The conclusion of FanGraphs’ staggering Positional Power Rankings series finds the Yankees well clear of the rest of the sport in expected bullpen performance. The graph leading the story alone is enough to elicit a chuckle.

ESPN | Coley Harvey: Luis Severino’s balky shoulder is probably the biggest concern headed into the season, as a rotation with him and James Paxton at the top is as good as any in baseball. Here, ESPN brings out an actual medical professional to discuss the young right-hander’s rotator cuff issue and what the future looks like.