Three of the Yankees’ most important players this offseason had potential character red flags.
Juan Soto was part of the Padres’ clubhouse, but he reportedly wasn’t as strong last season as the superstar-laden team struggled.
Marcus Stroman is known to be polarizing wherever he goes, and in 2019, after the Yankees’ GM said Stroman wasn’t a “difference-maker” in their playoff rotation, Brian Cash He even sparred with Mann.
Alex Verdugo had some struggles against the Red Sox, including being benched twice by manager Alex Cora for being late to the park and lack of energy. .
With spring training in full swing and about two weeks into the season, the three have been welcomed into an edgier and arguably more energetic Yankees clubhouse.
“I’ve always believed, 162 games in 180 days and adding that up in spring training, it’s tough,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday. . “I want people in that room to be energy givers, not energy suckers.
“I think everything [three] You guys just… brought so much energy that it was a bit of a shot in the arm depending on the day. ”
The Yankees were a noisy, winning team early in the season.
Verdugo, in particular, has been the catalyst for a group that has come to call each other “bastards,” and on Tuesday he heard his teammates barking as he returned to the dugout after hitting a home run.
The idea of “Daugs” has taken hold.
“It’s a funny little mantra that they believe is authentic and what they want to be and what they want to represent,” Boone said.
What does dawgs mean?
“Bring out the urban dictionary,” Boone joked about words associated with tough competitors.
DJ LeMahieu (right leg contusion) took batting practice outdoors and hit a grounder at third base.
Boone said LeMahieu is scheduled to go on upcoming trips with the team (to Cleveland and Toronto), which is a positive sign.
“He continues to do well,” Boone said, without giving a schedule.
Gerrit Cole (right elbow inflammation) is scheduled to play catch Thursday, Boone said.
Cole started pitching again on Monday.
Boone said Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to have a bullpen session on Thursday or Friday.
The right-hander’s return was delayed “a little bit” after he didn’t recover well from a live batting practice session in late March.
He went back to throwing on the mound.
Top prospect Spencer Jones has not yet made his debut at Double-A Somerset due to a stiff shoulder.
Coach Boone said he does not know when the outfielders will return to action.
The right-hander’s return was delayed “a little bit” after he didn’t recover well from a live batting practice session in late March.
He went back to throwing on the mound.
Top prospect Spencer Jones has not yet made his debut at Double-A Somerset due to a stiff shoulder.
Coach Boone said he does not know when the outfielders will return to action.
