TAMPA, Fla. -- The pitchers are supposed to be ahead of the hitters at this stage of Spring Training, but that hasn't necessarily been the case at Yankees camp. Chasen Shreve learned that the hard way on Monday, taking a line drive off his back during live batting practice.
"They said he was OK. His session was basically over, so they just stopped it," manager Joe Girardi said.
Shreve was struck by a ball off Aaron Hicks' bat while pitching on a back diamond of the George M. Steinbrenner Field complex. He received treatment and was not available to speak to reporters following the workout.
On Saturday, prospect Aaron Judge smacked a line drive off right-hander Ivan Nova's right hip. Luckily for Nova, he deflected the ball with his glove, softening its impact.
Shreve was 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 59 appearances over two stints with the Yankees last season. Prior to Sept. 1, Shreve had compiled a 1.89 in 41 outings, but he allowed nine earned runs in six September innings (13.50 ERA).
"He did something that was spectacular for about four months," general manager Brian Cashman said. "There's no reason to believe that can't continue. Every year you have to re-prove yourself. He had a great spring last year, and it carried into the season."
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Severino impressing
Luis Severino has set an objective of 200 innings for this season, and thus far, the right-hander has given the Yankees no reason to doubt him. Girardi said that he has been pleased thus far by Severino's command, the crispness of his stuff and his ability to make adjustments.
"His arm just looks really quick to me right now," Girardi said. "The ball is really coming out well. I don't remember saying that last spring, but that was a year ago. I've just been impressed with what I've seen so far."
Severino was 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 11 starts after being called up in August.
"He hit the ground running and slotted in perfectly," Cashman said. "Unless it was David Price, I couldn't have acquired anybody else that could have impacted us any better."
Extra bases
• The Yankees will not field their projected Opening Day lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League opener against the Tigers. Girardi said that there are "some guys that will probably sit a couple more days."
Among them is Brett Gardner, who spent most of the offseason allowing a bone bruise in his left wrist to heal and is behind the rest of the Yankees' position players. Gardner is not expected to take on-field batting practice until Wednesday.
• Cesar Puello, a non-roster invitee, wowed his teammates with a strong one-hop throw from right field to home plate on Monday. Puello was once a top prospect in the Mets' chain before being involved in the Biogenesis investigation, drawing a 50-game suspension.