Bombers bits

By Bryan Hoch

April 4, 2014

• Yankees captain Derek Jeter renewed acquaintances Friday with Dick Groch, the scout who signed Jeter out of Kalamazoo, Mich., back in 1992. Groch, now a special assistant with the Brewers, was at Rogers Centre for the Blue Jays' home opener.

• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Yangervis Solarte (672 career Minor League games) and Dean Anna (554 career Minor League games) were the only players on a 2014 Opening Day big league roster who had played at least 500 games in the Minors without having previously played in the Majors.

• On this date in 1989, Yankees starter Tommy John set a Major League record by pitching in his 26th season, a record since broken by Nolan Ryan with 27. John allowed two runs in seven innings against the Twins at the Metrodome, earning the 287th win of his career.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat.