Bruce out to make his mark as new Bomber

TAMPA — ESPN dubbed him the most interesting player invited to Yankees spring training. They said Jay Bruce is just a one-trick pony these days, hitting home runs. Well, the Bombers do like home run hitters, especially from the left side of the plate with their short porch in right field.

Monday, Bruce and the other players fighting for spots on the roster got their first chance to show they can make contributions. Bruce was in the lineup — playing left field and hitting cleanup — for the Yankees’ second spring training game against the Tigers.

He was behind Opening Day starter Gerrit Cole.

So was utility infielder and outfielder Derek Dietrich, playing third. Back-up slugger Mike Ford was at first, hitting sixth. Tyler Wade was leading off and paying shortstop and Thairo Estrada was playing second base.

Regulars Aaron Hicks (center field) and Gary Sanchez (catching) were in the lineup as well. Kyle Higashioka, the backup catcher who took Sanchez’s job last fall, was the DH.

Diethrich and Bruce are likely competing for the same spot.

“Well, Derek Dietrich is a guy that will play all the infield positions first, second and probably a little bit of third as well as some corner outfield,” Aaron Boone said. “Jay Bruce, we know can come in and play first base.”

Diethrich may be more versatile, but Bruce is a proven hitter with 318 career home runs. Ford is coming off a season in which he was demoted to the alternate site and Estrada, despite getting raves in the second spring training, didn’t really get a chance in 2020.

Regulars Brett Gardner and Giancarlo Stanton are not scheduled to make their spring debuts until Wednesday night’s game.