Key spring dates set as Yankees unveil slate

NEW YORK -- Let the countdown begin. Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 18, with position players set to report on Feb. 24.

Pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout on Feb. 19, and manager Joe Girardi will get his first look at the 2016 Yankees as a full squad on Feb. 25. New York's Grapefruit League opener will be a March 2 home game against the Tigers, at 1:05 p.m. ET.

The Yanks announced on Friday that spring season tickets are on sale at www.yankees.com/spring, with single-game spring tickets scheduled to go on sale Jan. 15. New York will play a total of 33 exhibition games, including 16 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Home opponents include each of the Yankees' four American League East rivals -- Boston (March 5 at 1:05 p.m.), Toronto (March 10 at 1:05 p.m. and March 16 at 6:35 p.m.), Baltimore (March 11 at 1:05 p.m. and March 18 at 6:35 p.m.) and Tampa Bay (March 24 at 6:35 p.m.).

The Yanks are scheduled to play five night games at Steinbrenner Field, with each set to begin at 6:35 -- March 16 vs. Toronto, March 18 vs. Baltimore, March 22 vs. the Mets, March 24 vs. Tampa Bay and March 29 vs. Pittsburgh.

The spring slate will conclude with two games against the Marlins at Marlins Park in Miami, the first at 7:05 p.m. on April 1 and the second at 1:05 p.m. on April 2.

This will be the Yankees' 21st spring at George M. Steinbrenner Field, which was renamed for the Yanks' longtime principal owner in March 2008.