TAMPA – Big league ballplayers are in love with the routine of spring training. Arrive early, work out, play a game and go home. Even the rare long bus ride provokes a gripe or two.
However, today’s Yankees trip to play a seven-inning game against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., to honor the victims and aid in the healing process following the campus shooting on April 16, 2007, is different.
“It’s a good thing,” Derek Jeter said. “I am looking forward to it. Some guys who aren’t going wish they were going.”
The Yankees have donated $1 million to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund and the players will sign commemorative bats for the university to auction.
“The Yankees do a lot of great things and going up there is great,” Johnny Damon said. “I haven’t heard anybody complain. Everyone is excited to go and pay our respects.”
Jeff Karstens, a candidate for one of three spots left in the bullpen, will start for the Yankees. VT captain Andrew Wells starts for the hosts.
Virginia Tech hitters will use wood bats donated by Louisville Slugger.
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As predicted, Jeter said his left forearm that was struck by a Julian Tavarez pitch was fine.
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Joba Chamberlain threw in the bullpen yesterday. Chamberlain could know as soon as tomorrow that he will open the season as Mariano Rivera’s setup man, because even though he has been working as a starter there is no room in the rotation.
“We are still preparing him as a starter,” Joe Girardi said. “Eventually you have to narrow it down to five and put the best arms in the bullpen and you have to make some decisions.”
“I would figure soon,” Chamberlain said when asked if he had an idea when pitching coach Dave Eiland and Girardi will approach him.
When asked about Chamberlain’s work schedule changing in order to prepare for the bullpen, Girardi danced a bit but did admit a reliever would need to work in that manner to be ready.
“If we decide to put one of those guys in the bullpen, you would have to change and give them the opportunity to pitch out of the bullpen,” Girardi said. “It will be fairly soon. You have to give them enough time to get ready.”
Since Ian Kennedy and Chamberlain are slated to throw Thursday and both are too stretched out to toss in the same game, one will pitch against the Blue Jays and the other in a minor league game.
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Brian Bruney is on the radar of a lot of big league clubs looking for relief help. Until yesterday, Bruney had a better chance of being traded than making the Yankees. That may have changed when Bruney pushed the speed guns to 97 and featured a filthy slider in an inning of work in which he fanned two and walked one.
“He could help a lot of teams,” a scout said. “Today he was tremendous. His fastball was right there and his slider was great.”
With an option left, the Yankees could retain the right-hander and start him in Triple-A.
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Shelley Duncan planned to huddle with agent Barry Meister over dinner last night to discuss his appeal of a three-game suspension.
Duncan was suspended with Melky Cabrera for their involvement in a melee between the Yankees and Rays last week in St. Petersburg. Duncan was fined $3,000 and Cabrera was hit with a $2,500 penalty.
Duncan has an issue with MLB saying his cleats-high slide “started a fight.” Rays right fielder Jonny Gomes technically started the mellow fight by charging into the infield and shoving Duncan. Gomes was fined $2,000.