TAMPA – Trent Grisham arrived for spring training behind most of his teammates due to hamstring tension, but he had a good time to catch up.
Grisham made his Grapefruitreug debut on Monday night at Center Field after losing more than a week of games while rehabilitating his injured injuries while standing up for camp.
He went 0-1 on a pair of walks and made a great catch to the gap for his first appearance in the game.
“It took him a few weeks to get here,” manager Aaron Boone said before winning the Pirates at the 12-3 exhibition. “He did that a few weeks before he got down here. I know our trainer and the guy with strength and conditioning was a bit surprised he was recovering. He spoke to Grisch and he said he had had hamstrings in the past and felt he was still as good as ever.”
Grisham started running at 100% a few days ago, responding well, giving him a green light to start the game.
In the meantime, he has stabilized his batting practices in the backfield for more than a week.
General Manager Brian Cashman said last month that he thought the two Gold Globe winners would play more when they bought Grisham (as part of the Juan Soto trade).
Instead, last year's Yankees' departure was healthy throughout the season, limiting Grisham to just 52 starts and 76 games.
But Grisham was able to promote his role this season, particularly to start the year with Illinois' Giancarlo Stanton.
This could mean more DH days for Judge Aaron. Aaron means Cody Bellinger slides from the center to the right field and Grisham into the center lineup.
Devin Williams will make his Grapefruitreeg debut on Tuesday when the Yankees visited the Phillies in Clearwater, Florida.
Yankees' New Closer throws live batting practices in the backfield, but after being retrieved from the brewer in December, he gets his first game action.
The Yankees' predicted bullpen members have been in the game so far this spring.
“We don't have a huge inventory of them taking part in many games. They're part of our established bailout,” Boone said. “There are people we do, but as long as they do their job in life, as long as we build them into that back-to-back ability. Not in a hurry with a few guys.”
Dom Smith went 2-2 with a 4-4 RBI on Monday night, continuing his hot start until spring.
The former Mets first bass man/left fielder faces an uphill climb to build a team as he is not on the 40-man roster, but Stanton's injury has opened the door for the possibility, and Smith is trying to make the most of it.
Jake Cousins (forearm tension) began his throwing program on Monday after being closed for five weeks.
He threw from 60 feet, keeping all his throws below 70 mph.
“It felt good,” said Cousins, who will start the season in Illinois. “It's wonderful and easy.”
DJ lemahieu (calf) took an MRI exam on Monday to determine the extent of his tension and how long it would take away for him. …George Lombard Jr. and Andrew Velazquez both competed against the pirates. For Lombard, it was his second straight game going deep. …Before Monday's game, the Yankees reassigned Inferoderic Arias and RHP Kam Schlitler to minor league camp. Schlitler, in particular, has opened his eyes to recent organizations, and could be a depth option at some point later this year. …Alfonsosoliano and Bernie Williams arrived as guest instructors on Monday.
