NEW YORK -- Aroldis Chapman tossed from the mound during Wednesday’s workout at Yankee Stadium, appearing sharp as the left-hander’s made his final preparations for the season ahead. But should the Yankees have a lead to protect late in Thursday’s opener against the Blue Jays, they’ll need to look elsewhere.
Chapman will be unavailable for the first two games of the regular season, serving a suspension levied for throwing near the head of the Rays’ Mike Brosseau last Sept. 1. The ban, originally three games, was reduced upon appeal.
“We'll just figure it out; I don't have a set closer that I'm going with,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “The kind of game and matchups will dictate that. Hopefully we're in a position to save a game the next two days, and it very well could be a different guy each day. We'll just play it that way until Chappy is back in the mix on Sunday.”
Boone suggested that Chad Green and Darren O’Day could be used in save opportunities, though he added that he would not hesitate to use the right-handers in higher-leverage situations ahead of the ninth inning.
“I think it's just a fluid situation,” Green said. “They haven't told me one way or the other, but I think I'll be ready for any situation. I think our eight guys in the bullpen will be ready to go in any given role.”
Left-handers Zack Britton and Justin Wilson, both of whom could have seen time in those roles, are on the injured list. Boone said that Wilson tossed his second bullpen session Wednesday, reporting no signs of left shoulder tightness, meaning that he could return for the April 9 contest against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“He’s doing really well,” Boone said. “He wanted to be ready to go [Thursday], and on some level, probably could have. We just thought to err on the side of caution; in the end, it probably cost us about six games.”
Good to go
Aaron Judge looked “great” during Wednesday’s workout at Yankee Stadium, according to Boone, who said that the slugger was among the group of hitters taking extra hacks off of a high-velocity machine.
Judge did not play in the Yankees’ last three games of the spring due to an illness that the team has attributed to allergies. Out of an abundance of caution, Judge took a COVID-19 test, which was negative.
“He looks great, feels great,” Boone said. “He’s ready to go.”
Lucky Lucas
Lucas Luetge was one of the breakout invitees to this year’s Yankees spring, showcasing a terrific spin rate that generated 18 strikeouts against two walks in 10 1/3 Grapefruit League innings, with a 1.74 ERA. That performance secured him a place on the 26-man roster, Boone announced Wednesday.
“There were a lot of different ways we were considering going for that spot, but it was hard to deny what Lucas was able to do,” Boone said. “He came in from the start of camp and really pushed his way onto the roster. He earned his spot and I’m excited to see what he can potentially go out and do for us.”
Luetge has not pitched in the Majors since 2015, when he was a member of the Mariners. The 34-year-old left-hander owns a 4.35 career ERA over 111 appearances spanning 89 innings from 2012-15, all with Seattle.
“He came in and he's absolutely dominated hitters,” Green said. “That's what you have to do to make a team. I'm excited to watch him pitch. He’s been great all spring.”
Bombers bits
Mike Tauchman took ground balls at first base during Wednesday’s workout. Boone said that he had planned to have Tauchman appear in a game at the position this spring before he fouled a ball off of his right shin Sunday against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.
Up next
Gerrit Cole will make his second Opening Day start in as many years Thursday as the Yankees host the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. ET, marking the first game in The Bronx with fans in attendance since Game 5 of the 2019 American League Championship Series. Hyun Jin Ryu is scheduled to start for Toronto.
All Yankee Stadium gates will open to guests with valid tickets beginning at 11:00 a.m. Pregame ceremonies are set to begin at approximately 12:30 p.m., with the introduction of both teams on the baselines.
Opening Day virtual pregame ceremonies will include a performance of “O’ Canada” by Broadway star Paul Nolan, and a virtual color guard featuring The West Point Cadet Color Guard. The virtual national anthem will be performed by West Point Band Vocalist, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Katherine Walsh. The virtual ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Bernie Williams.