Stress fracture pens in Cabral
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Cesar Cabral was closing in on a spot in the Yankees’ bullpen, but an untimely injury will keep the young lefthander out for the foreseeable future.
After undergoing an MRI, X-ray and CT scan Saturday, Cabral was diagnosed with a stress fracture on the tip of his left elbow, an injury that could keep the 23-year-old out for several months.
“It’s frustrating, because he had a really good camp for us,” Joe Girardi said. “I can’t tell you what was going to happen, but he had a good camp for us.”
With Cabral likely headed for the 60day disabled list, Clay Rapada is now all but assured a spot in the bullpen as the Yankees’ second lefty.
Adam Warren, David Phelps and D.J. Mitchell are the front-runners for the final spot in the bullpen as the long reliever.
DAZZLING DANTE
Dante Bichette Jr. was one of the additional minor leaguers the Yankees brought along for Saturday’s game against the Astros in Kissimmee, but the 19-yearold wound up stealing the show in the Bombers’ 11-9, rain-shortened win.
With his parents in the stands at Osceola County Stadium — the same field he played travel ball as a kid — Bichette launched two homers, both on the first pitch.
“Family is the world to me, so having my Mom and Dad here is everything,” said Bichette, whose 14-year-old brother, Bo, was also in attendance. “It’s a family effort, everything that’s happened so far, so having them here is perfect.”
Girardi and Dante Bichette Sr., were teammates in Colorado and have remained close over the years. Bichette watched part of batting practice on the field.
“It was pretty special,” Girardi said of the two home runs. “After both of them, I looked up. Big Dante was taping it.”
DELAYED DEBUT
Andy Pettitte threw a 33-pitch, two-inning simulated game Saturday morning, but Girardi indicated that the lefty would not make his spring debut Wednesday against the Mets as many had speculated.
“I think he felt good; he looked good,” Girardi said. “His next thing will be a bullpen. As far as getting him into the game, you’d be asking him to come back early, which isn’t something we’re really leaning towards.”
Pettitte is expected to be ready to return to the rotation by early May, but Girardi said that Michael Pineda’s shoulder injury won’t cause the Yankees to rush Pettitte’s process.
“We’ve never been in a hurry,” Girardi said. “We never thought we needed to speed Andy up, and we won’t, because you know that you’ll hurt him. How old is Andy, 39? He’s probably a lot more familiar with his body and what it takes than a young kid. We’ll listen to him.”