Yank pen pitching shutout
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For the second consecutive game, the Yankees’ bullpen posted a bunch of zeroes. Five relievers followed CC Sabathia and combined for four scoreless innings in a 5-0 shutout of the Rays on Tuesday night. The bullpen had produced 5.1 scoreless innings on Opening Day after Masahiro Tanaka lasted just 2.2 innings.
Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman, reunited in the setup and closer roles, were dominant. Betances struck out Rickie Weeks Jr. and got Logan Morrison to ground to first to end a bases-loaded threat in the eighth, while Chapman, in his first game since signing a five-year, $86 million deal to return to the Yanks, worked a 1-2-3 ninth while striking out two. Chapman utilized his breaking ball often, as he did in the spring. Since the start of 2014, opponents are batting just .100 (3-for-30) with 17 strikeouts against Betances with the bases loaded.
BUSY GUY
Top prospect Gleyber Torres will hit third at Double-A Trenton and play shortstop, second base and third base. According to MLB.com, Torres will be on an eight-day rotation, which includes three days at short, two days at third, two days at second and then an off-day. The 20-year-old hit .448 in the spring with nine extrabase hits, but the Yankees wanted to keep him in the minors because he hadn’t played above A ball.
PITCHING CHANGE
Due to the weather, Jordan Montgomery and Chad Green will pitch for Class A Tampa on Thursday, with both in line to potentially start on April 16, when the Yankees finally require a No. 5 starter. Joe Girardi said Luis Cessa, now with Triple-A Scranton, could also be in the mix for the spot.
DIDI UPDATE
Joe Girardi said he believed Didi Gregorius had started his throwing program. Gregorius (right shoulder strain) is expected to be out until sometime in May.
STRANGE BUT TRUE
Matt Holliday’s first hit as a Yankee came on an RBI double in the third inning when Peter Bourjos lost the ball in the roof in left.
It was career hit No. 1,996 for Holliday. Girardi now has 898 career victories as manager.