Boone docks
Manager to make dugout debut in exhibition opener
TAMPA — Three of Aaron Boone’s regulars aren’t going to play. The others will hang around for three innings. The final six frames will feature a bunch of players with 80 and 90 stamped on their backs, and the game will drag in the late frames.
Yet, when the Tigers face the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Friday, it will mark Boone’s first crack at managing a game at any level.
And though every day provides a chance for Boone to learn about his job, the first exhibition game of spring training won’t be akin to throwing the manager into the deep end of the pool.
“In a way, but it’s different, especially early,’’ Boone said about using the game to get a feel for the job. “I will treat it a little bit different, and we are trying to make different evaluations. We will probably allow some different things and do some certain things we wouldn’t do in a regular-season game. Get a feel for skill sets and what guys are capable of doing.’’
Usually first-year managers are working because usually the team didn’t do well the previous year and the manager got boxed. That, of course, isn’t the case with the Yankees. After taking the Astros, who went on to win the World Series, to Game 7 of the ALCS, the Yankees let Joe Girardi go and replaced him with Boone.
That move was made before the Yankees stole Giancarlo Stanton, the NL MVP a year ago, from the Marlins.
Stanton will be in the lineup against the Tigers. It is not known whether Brandon Drury, the newest Yankee, will start at third base.
Gary Sanchez and Brett Gardner won’t be in the lineup. Aaron Judge isn’t expected to play until Wednesday, because the Yankees are going slowly with last year’s AL Rookie of the Year after left shoulder surgery in November.
Top-of-the-rotation starters Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka won’t pitch. Luis Cessa, who is a long shot to make the team and figures to provide rotation depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will start for the Yankees.
Boone, who said he hasn’t been blindsided by anything this spring, explained the focus will be on the players.
“I really look at it as an individual kind of thing,’’ Boone said. “It’s about getting individuals ready. So, [Friday] is the start of that and that is a little bit different for everyone.’’
One of the biggest mistakes teams make is evaluating players in spring training. Yet, it’s hard to ignore what is in front of coaches, managers and front-office types.
Though Boone doesn’t have many open jobs, there are a few areas that will get attention starting Friday.
When the Yankees acquired Drury from the Diamondbacks it was to play third. Though general manager Brian Cashman said the competition at third is alive with neophyte Miguel Andujar in the mix, the Yankees didn’t give up two prospects they liked for Drury to be a multi-positional player this season.
Gleyber Torres appears fully recovered from Tommy John surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow and has a chance to be the starting second baseman. Pegged as a future star by many, the 21-year-old Torres played a combined 55 games at Double-A and Triple-A a year ago and might need more time at TripleA to open the season.
With five starters and seven relievers there isn’t an opening at this point for a pitcher.
Boone’s indoctrination had to start somewhere and it is Friday at the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Martin Luther King Boulevard in a game that doesn’t count.
Check back in late September to see how it turned out.
TAMPA — Only one batting practice group didn’t have a full four members listed on the message board near the entrance to the Yankees’ clubhouse Thursday morning.
Missing from the most highprofile foursome was Aaron Judge who is being brought along slowly after November surgery on his left shoulder.
“They told me a couple of days ago they were going to give me a day off before the games started,’’ said Judge, who was limited to tracking pitches.
According to hitting coach Marcus Thames, Judge will return to batting practice before Friday’s exhibition opener against the Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Judge isn’t expected to play in a game until Wednesday.
“He has been ramped up pretty good so that was a built-in day for him,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “He is doing well and right on schedule to be ready to go in a game next week.’’
Yankees held a teambonding activity following Thursday’s workout that fea- tured former actor Steve Shenbaum, who founded game on Nation. That is a company that deals with communication, leadership and business consulting.
game on Nation is best known for its work with corporations and collegiate and pro athletes.
Brandon Drury took part in his first Yankees workout and said the club will see the best of what he has.
“I feel like I haven’t done anything that I am capable of the last two years,’’ said Drury, who was acquired from the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
The Yankees are looking for Drury, 25, to play third base and that is fine with him.
“I feel more comfortable there,’’ said Drury, who grew up a Yankees fan in Oregon and his favorite player was Derek Jeter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will visit camp Monday, which will please Drury who admits to being a Seahawks fan and a “big Russell Wilson fan.’’
Wilson is technically part of the Yankees organization like any other player not on the 40-man roster, but he won’t be playing in exhibition games.