Around the Empire: Yankees news - 3/29/19

New York Post | Peter Botte: Yesterday was Opening Day! If you somehow missed it, well Aaron Boone made some interesting choices in creating his lineup. Here, he breaks down with Botte the decisions he made, such as where to slot in Gleyber Torres, and where Luke Voit should hit.

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: The Yankees made a large series of injury-related moves just before the start of yesterday’s game. Kuty gives us a quick rundown of them, and when the players are targeting a return, from Dellin Betances, to Luis Severino, to Ben Heller. Most notably, the Yankees placed Aaron Hicks on the IL, but the center fielder still has no timetable for return.

New York Post | Dan Martin: Opening Day included plenty of great moments, including the ceremonial first pitch from Mariano Rivera. Rivera fired a strike, because of course he did, prompting a number of predictable (but justified) quips from those opining that Rivera could still pitch in the major leagues right now. Rivera offered something of a prediction as well, stating that “it’s time” for championship number 28.

CBS Sports | Dayn Perry: Now that Opening Day is in the rear-view mirror, we can take a look at official Opening Day payrolls. Per the chart put together by Perry, the Yankees rank third with a $206 million payroll, and a $223 million CBT figure. That of course represents a pretty significant hike over last season, but a minimal increase over where the team’s payroll was a decade ago.