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NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: Manager Aaron Boone revealed that outfielder Clint Frazier has been nursing a foot injury for the past couple months. The team has consequently slow-played Frazier, only letting take at-bats rather than play the field during the Yankees’ intrasquad games. This should just be a minor ailment, but news of any lingering injuries after such a long layoff will surely cause consternation among fans, given the team’s struggles with injuries last year. Kyle Higashioka also missed a game with a stiff neck.
New York Post | George A. King: Aroldis Chapman detailed how he got into incredible shape during the pandemic. The closer said that it was his goal to cut a little bit of weight and add muscle while in quarantine, and he certainly succeeded. Chapman reportedly cut about 10 pounds, and looks to be in the Best Shape of his Life as the season reboots.
ESPN | Howard Bryant: Here we have a profile of former Oakland catcher Bruce Maxwell, who knelt during the national anthem for the final nine games of the 2017 season and has been out of the majors since (partially by his own wishes). Bryant speaks to a number of former Yankees like CC Sabathia and Cameron Maybin, and lays out the impossible choices faced by the modern Black MLB player; speak out against racial injustice, or keep quiet, knowing that speaking up in the whitest sport in a America can have dire career consequences. He also talks to Maxwell about the betrayal Maxwell has felt. Several players have spoken about police brutality and social justice in recent weeks, all players who stood silently during Maxwell’s protest three years ago, prompting the catcher to ask “Where were you?”
New York Post | Ken Davidoff: Boone discussed the fact that his pitching strategies will likely get “creative” during a shortened season. Team rosters will hold up to 30 players to start the season, giving managers plenty of options to play with. Expect to see openers and bullpen days at times, and don’t be surprised if talented young players like Clarke Schmidt, Michael King, Deivi Garcia, and more get worked into to the program.