TAMPA – Though it’s believed that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will earn spots in the rotation, Joe Girardi only committed to Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina.
“We have spots to be filled but the quality of the arms competing for those spots will give us a very good rotation,” Girardi said.
“This is spring training and a new year and players have to prove themselves,” Girardi said.
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Pitchers and catchers report today and take physicals. First workout is slated for tomorrow. . . . Staff ace Chien-Ming Wang and the Yankees will go to an arbitration hearing today in St. Petersburg after the sides couldn’t agree on a one-year deal. Wang, who has won 19 games in the past two seasons, filed for $4.6 million and the Yankees countered with $4 million. Wang, arbitration eligible for the first time, was hoping to land a multi-year deal but the Yankees never offered him one. . . . GM Brian Cashman and Girardi didn’t discount taking it easy with Hideki Matsui at the start of camp since he is coming back from November knee surgery.
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After a scary blood clot in his right arm in November, Shelley Duncan is off blood thinners and looking forward to competing with a host of first base candidates.
Duncan reported to the Yankees’ minor league camp late last month and has been working with special instructor Tino Martinez at first base, taking 200 ground balls a day and working on the throw to second.
Duncan has a chance to get at-bats because of his right-handed power. Nevertheless, first base is clogged with candidates. Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane, Wilson Betemit, Juan Miranda and Jason Giambi will work at first during spring training.