MIAMI – Both were expected, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone solidified two more roster spots on Tuesday when Ben Rice and Jackson Dominguez confirmed they would create an opening day club.
The final four spots remained fluid when the team flew to New York.
When the Yankees left Randepot Park on Tuesday after their final exhibit game with the Marlins, they did so without two bench spots and two bullpen spots.
They were known to be looking for a right-handed bat.
Without the addition of externals, Oswald Peraza and non-roster invitee Pablo Reyes filled the spots of two position players, while Jorndrys Gomez, Yerry Delos Santos and Brent Headrick were still running to round the bullpen.
“I don't want to commit to anything with too much happening in the industry in the last 24-48 hours,” Boone said before losing 4-2 to the Marlins.
As of Tuesday morning, Rice had not been informed that he had made a team — following a red-hot spring when the ball was consistently sizzling from the bat — Boone made that formula later that day.
He is expected to receive the majority of his batting at DH, especially against right-handed pitching.
Will Warren, scheduled to start the fourth game of the season against the Diamondbacks next Tuesday, has built up to 77 pitches on his final spring outing with the Marlins.
He gave up four runs on six hits (two home runs) and two walks, hitting the sixth.
“I think I'm late than I wanted to,” Warren said. “I think that's the outcome and what it was… Overall, it was just fine. I think it would be better to be given a spring that's in the season, but the next one is important.”
Warren got off to a strong start this spring and then got a bit rough with the last two games, but Boone likes where the younger right is.
“There's everything and there's another good build-up day for him,” Boone said. “It just eliminates some of the mistakes in the center of the plate that hurt him.”
The day after the Yankees signed a major league contract, Ryan Yarbra made his organized debut with 1-2-3 six innings.
The left-handed savior said he was attracted to the Yankees because of the reputation of their pitching division, which has many success stories in recent years.
“Look at what you see from afar, especially when you get a different perspective from the different people looking outside,” said the former Ray and Blue Jay.
Growing up in nearby Hialea, JC Eskara estimated that more than 50 friends and family members were present on Tuesday, applauding in his first at-bat in the six innings.
