TAMPA — Mariano Rivera didn’t participate in yesterday’s initial spring-training workout for Yankees pitchers and catchers at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
“He called [Monday night] and said he might be here [yesterday] morning,” said GM Brian Cashman, who stated Rivera’s children had been suffering from the flu at home in New York.
“Maybe [today],” Cashman said of Rivera’s arrival in camp. “He can come when he is clear at home and everyone feels better.”
Rivera, 41, has a long history of easing into spring training, so it’s not a concern.
“Even when he is here, it’s a different program,” Cashman said, “and one that works.”
Rivera, the active career saves leader with 559, usually doesn’t work in games until the exhibition season is well under way. And he never pitches in a road game.
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Gary Sanchez, an 18-year-old catcher the Yankees signed for $3 million in 2009 and who is considered a sure-fire prospect, missed a week of pre-spring-training workouts at the minor-league complex because he underwent medical tests on his heart. Nothing serious was discovered.
In his first professional season last year, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound player batted .353 (42-for-119) with six homers and 36 RBIs in 31 games for the Gulf Coast (Rookie) Tampa club.
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Because Phil Hughes threw a bullpen session Monday and A.J. Burnett threw yesterday morning, CC Sabathia was the lone member of the Yankees’ top three starters to work in the bullpen during yesterday’s workout. He was joined by Sergio Mitre, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia.
Sabathia, who threw during the offseason but not off a mound, threw 25 pitches.
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Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson worked out at the minor-league complex.
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It would be wrong to say Russell Martin is limited because of offseason knee surgery, but the Yankees are being cautious with their first-string catcher.
“There is stiffness in the range of motion, and he won’t do everything just yet,” Cashman said. “It’s a natural part of the rehab.”