TAMPA, Fla. – The spot was in the center of the Yankees’ dugout at George M. Steinbrenner Field, occupied on Friday afternoon by a bag of balls and some gum. Manager Aaron Boone pointed to it, identifying the exact spot where Cam Schlittler’s competitive nature and confidence first became evident.
“I remember it right here,” Boone said before his club’s 3-0 Grapefruit League win over the Rays on Friday night. “I just remember a couple of times checking on him here. At that point, I didn’t know him that well. It stood out to me in Spring Training. He wasn’t overwhelmed; he was just at ease right away, in the best kind of way.”
That was March 1, 2025, when Schlittler flashed electricity but also inconsistency against an Astros lineup. The right-hander was not yet widely known outside of the most ardent followers of the club’s farm system. By summer, that would change, beginning with a July 9 call-up that secured his place in the rotation.
“In my mind, it was there all year, based on what I first saw here,” Boone said.
Schlittler, of course, went on to fire a 12-strikeout gem that sent the Red Sox home in the clinching game of the American League Wild Card Series. Stalled briefly by back and lat discomfort this spring, the right-hander picked up where he left off, striking out four Rays over 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
“I’m just making good progress with the body and the arm,” Schlittler said. “I’m able to go out there confidently. I’m feeling good.”
Schlittler tossed 39 pitches (24 strikes) on Friday, and with Opening Day just 2 1/2 weeks away, he said there will not be time to get to his intended stamina of 90 pitches. The Yankees’ plan is to get him around 70 pitches, then build from there.
While Schlittler’s demeanor hasn’t changed much from this time last year, his arsenal has improved. Schlittler leaned heavily on his cutter in Friday’s outing, which averaged 94.9 mph, a pitch he developed in the second half of last season at Gerrit Cole’s urging.
“My last start of the season, Gerrit split up that pitch and I went into the playoffs with that 94-96 mile-an-hour cutter,” Schlittler said. “I was able to see really good results with it up in the zone. I’ll continue to hopefully keep the velo and the location as well.”
With that pitch added to a mix that features a four-seam fastball that sat 98.7 mph on Friday, a two-seamer that averaged 98.1 mph and Schlittler’s improving curveball, Boone said he sees even brighter things ahead this season.
“It’s nasty, too,” Boone said of the cutter. “Just standing behind him, it’s kind of wicked. If he can get the consistency of that curveball, the three fastballs with the curveball – then he gets pretty tough to deal with.”
Happy return
A bolt of lightning cracked across the sky while Oswaldo Cabrera batted in the second inning on Friday. Rain was falling, but there was no dampening this night.
The always-jovial Cabrera returned to action some nine months after sustaining a gruesome left ankle fracture and ligament damage, playing three innings at shortstop and running the bases without incident. He received a standing ovation before his first plate appearance, in which he drew a walk, then scored on a Trent Grisham single.
“I noticed,” Cabrera said. “I was locked in, but that was the first time [he received an ovation]. I didn’t know if I had to [tip] my helmet. I always appreciate the love. … It felt like it was my MLB debut. Everybody was so happy for me – all the coaches, managers, teammates.”
Boone said that earlier in the afternoon, he’d announced across the trainers’ room: “It’s Oswaldo Cabrera day!”
“He’s worked really hard to come back from a tough injury,” Boone said.
Cabrera will remain in Tampa as the Yankees travel east for exhibitions against the Nationals and Mets this weekend. Boone said he plans to play Cabrera in the infield on Monday against the Pirates, and he may also have him play some outfield later in camp.
Looking ahead
Randal Grichuk is set to make his spring debut on Monday, Boone said. Grichuk signed a Minor League contract with the Yankees in late February. He played 113 games last season with the D-backs and Royals.
Additionally, Rafael Montero has still not arrived in camp. The veteran right-hander, who signed a Minor League contract on Feb. 12, is dealing with visa issues.