Elmer Rodriguez set to start Yankees’ Grapefruit League opener
TAMPA — Let the video games start.
After 4 days of full-squad exercises at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees are set to start their Grapefruit League schedule Friday towards the Orioles in Sarasota, Fla.
Elmer Rodriguez, one of many membership’s prime pitching prospects, will get the start whereas the Yankees are bringing in infielders Jazz Chisholm Jr., José Caballero and Amed Rosario, plus catcher Austin Wells, all of whom will probably be leaving camp subsequent weekend to play within the World Baseball Classic.
Aaron Judge, who can also be leaving to captain Team USA, will make his spring debut Saturday at dwelling towards the Tigers, beginning in proper discipline, earlier than probably serving as DH on Sunday towards the Mets.
Aaron Boone has mentioned he desires to get Judge into 4 or 5 of the Yankees’ first 9 video games earlier than he heads to USA’s camp.
The 22-year-old Rodriguez, acquired from the Red Sox final offseason for catcher Carlos Narváez, will pitch for Puerto Rico within the WBC.
The right-hander broke out final season throughout three ranges (High-A, Double-A and one start in Triple-A), posting a 2.58 ERA with 176 strikeouts in 150 innings.
“[Rodriguez has made] a big impression,” Boone said Thursday. “He’s one of those guys that I hadn’t really seen in person, but one of those few guys you get excited to come down here and see. I think he’s got a chance to be a starting pitcher in this league for a long time. That’s how he profiles me and everything I hear about him. I’m excited to see him go [Friday]. “I think he’s got a really bright future.”
Rafael Montero has a locker contained in the clubhouse at Steinbrenner Field however has not but reported to camp due to paperwork and visa points, Boone mentioned.
The reliever from the Dominican Republic signed a minor league cope with an invitation to huge league camp final week, however is delayed in getting to make his case to win a bullpen job.
Will Warren threw three innings of dwell batting follow Thursday whereas constructing his pitch rely to 49.
With his fastball sitting at 93-96 mph — it averaged 93.3 mph final season — Warren at one level struck out Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton and Judge in succession.
