Yankees unveil 2013 Spring Training schedule

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have announced their 2013 Spring Training schedule, with the club's exhibition schedule set to begin with a road game on Feb. 23 against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

New York will play a total of 33 spring exhibitions, including 17 games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. The Yanks' spring home opener is Feb. 24 against the Blue Jays.

Due to the World Baseball Classic, the 2013 spring schedule begins nine days earlier than last year, and marks the earliest start to the Yankees' Spring Training game schedule in at least 65 years.

In addition to 16 Grapefruit League games, the Yanks will also play host to the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team on March 6 at Steinbrenner Field.

Home opponents include each of the Yankees' four American League East rivals, and four home night games (7:05 p.m. ET start time): the Braves on March 5; Phillies on March 13; Twins on March 21 and Astros on March 26.

The Yanks will also host the Cardinals on March 11, in St. Louis' first visit to Tampa since 2006. The Marlins will make their first trip to Tampa since '05 on March 15.

Season tickets for 2013 Yankees Spring Training home games are on sale now at www.yankees.com or www.steinbrennerfield.com. Individual game spring tickets will go on sale Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. ET, online at www.yankees.com, at the Steinbrenner Field box office or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

For ticket information, fans can call (813) 879-2244 or visit www.yankees.com.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Feb. 12, with their first workout scheduled for Feb. 13. Position players are scheduled to report on Feb. 17, with the club's first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 18.

This will be the Yankees' 18th Spring Training at George M. Steinbrenner Field, originally named Legends Field and renamed for the team's longtime principal owner on March 27, 2008.