Seahawks’ Wilson debuts for Yankees
Russell Wilson struck out in his first spring training at-bat with the Yankees.
The Seahawks quarterback pinch hit for AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge in the fifth inning against the Braves on Friday in Tampa, Fla., and swung past a 2-2 pitch from left-hander Max Fried.
“The best thing for me is, I had no fear,” Wilson said. “I went up there with confidence. I was ready and will always remember that. And I’ll remember when they announced my name.”
Wilson received a loud ovation when introduced and fouled back the first pitch.
“I used to go crazy when Derek Jeter walked up to the plate,” Wilson said. “To have that feeling and experience, I’ll never, never forget that.”
The decision to give Wilson an at-bat was made Thursday, and the Seahawks approved. Wilson did not take the field in the sixth to play defense.
A former minor-league infielder, Wilson is spending this week working out with the Yankees, who acquired him from Texas last month. Injury report: Red Sox lefthander Drew Pomeranz (left forearm tightness) and Cardinals right-hander Bud Norris (left hamstring spasm) left a Grapefruit League game between their teams because of injuries. Pomeranz said he felt an issue while warming up for the second. He threw four pitches to Marcell Ozuna in the inning, then departed. “I’m not too worried about it,” Pomeranz said . ... Tigers lefthander Travis Wood has a torn left ACL and medial meniscus in his left knee. Wood twisted the knee while starting a rundown in the second inning of his spring training debut Thursday. Detroit said its training staff is evaluating surgical options. Briefly Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, in his first spring training start with the Mets this year, struck out against reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and then singled off Erick Fedde in a 2-1 loss to the Nationals in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Tebow reached on an error in the seventh and is 1-for-7 in his second bigleague spring training . ... The Reds claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Tigers and optioned him to minor-league camp . ... Adam Lind agreed to a minor-league contract with the Yankees, giving New York another backup option to Greg Bird at first base.