Sánchez eyes fresh start; Cole hits 100 mph

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Gary Sanchez couldn't help looking at the Yankee Stadium scoreboard at least once a night last summer, the numbers as big as SUVs and beamed in high definition. Each time he'd see a batting average with a "1" as the leading number, the Yankees catcher gripped his bat tighter, trying to make up for last week's plate appearances.

Sánchez ran out of time to reverse that slow start, which prompted the Bombers to install Kyle Higashioka as the starting catcher for five of the club's seven playoff games. Assured of a return to his starting role behind the plate, Sánchez views 2021 as a fresh beginning, one in which he is again free to focus on sharpening his offense and defense.

"You go into a short season and you're not getting the results you want, you start getting anxious," Sánchez said through an interpeter. "You get to the point where you're not producing the results you want. At some point, you start wanting to get two hits in one at-bat."

Sánchez has earned praise from manager Aaron Boone and his teammates this spring, with outfielder Aaron Judge recently opining that Sánchez is "a guy that can go out there and win AL MVP" -- a comment that Sánchez appreciated.

"I've always had really good support from my teammates," Sánchez said. "That's something I can never say anything bad about. They've always been there for me. Judge and I, we have a really good relationship. I just go out there and give the best I have."

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Having collected six hits in 21 Grapefruit League at-bats (.286) with three homers and four RBIs, Sánchez is continuing to work with catching coach Tanner Swanson on the one-knee-down approach that the club hopes will improve his pitch framing ability. Boone said that he believes Sánchez has put last season behind him.

"Even at his lowest, I do think he's very confident in what he's capable of doing and his ability," Boone said. "That said, I do think there's been moments where he was pressing. You want to make up for some of the struggles you've had and that that can snowball on you. The really good ones find a way to navigate out of that."

Keeping it '100'
Gerrit Cole's final pitch in the Yankees' 7-4 Grapefruit League win over the Tigers on Tuesday registered 100.1 mph, generating a swinging strikeout of Niko Goodrum. As the ace right-hander continues to prepare for his April 1 Opening Day assignment, Cole said that he has been pleased by the work so far.

"When the regular season starts, it's kind of another level," Cole said. "You just put yourself in the best position to try to execute, and really take it from there. But as far as all the prep up to this point, it's put me in a really, really good position."

Cole was touched for a pair of solo home runs over 3 2/3 innings, permitting second-inning shots to Renato Núñez and JaCoby Jones. Cole scattered three hits and struck out five, permitting one walk and hitting a batter. He threw 40 of 61 pitches for strikes.

"I'm feeling good," Cole said. "I executed a lot of good pitches with all four offerings and I'm throwing a good amount of strikes, staying within my delivery. We'll get after it next time."

Spruce Bruce
Jay Bruce has boasted one of the loudest bats in Yankees camp thus far. That comes as little surprise to Boone, who said that the three-time All-Star is playing to his capabilities.

"The biggest thing with him is health," Boone said. "He's been probably a little banged up in different ways over the last couple of years, and we feel like he's probably as healthy as he has been in the last couple of years. We certainly know what he's capable of."

Last year with the Phillies, Bruce was slowed by a left quadriceps injury that limited his ability in the field. Boone said that he has worked to find Bruce additional reps at first base, attempting to ensure that the 33-year-old feels comfortable and natural at the position. Bruce is in camp as a non-roster invitee and has an opt-out clause in his contract for March 25.

"It's more about the experience part of it now," Boone said. "That's something he'll benefit from. I think he's looked great. He's moving well and looks really good at the plate. I think he's everything we could have hoped for when we brought him in."

Legends missed
One striking difference of camp has been the absence of guest instructors roaming the clubhouse and the practice fields. Because of COVID-19 protocols, the Yankees' usual assemblage of Hall of Famers and franchise favorites have remained at home.

Last spring, the club's star-studded roster included Ron Guidry, Reggie Jackson, Tino Martinez, Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte, Willie Randolph, Mariano Rivera, Alfonso Soriano, Nick Swisher, CC Sabathia, Bernie Williams and more.

"That's been one of the bummers of this camp," Boone said. "I certainly miss having a lot of the people that come through here, even guys like Tino or Alfonso that pop in for short spurts. That's one of the cool things about any Spring Training, but especially about Yankees Spring Training."

Bombers bits
Higashioka was scratched from Tuesday's trip to play the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., due to soreness in his side. Boone said that Higashioka would receive treatment on Tuesday.

Right-hander Clarke Schmidt (common extensor strain of right elbow) has not been cleared to resume throwing. The team wants Schmidt, the club's No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, to be completely asymptomatic. Schmidt has been able to ramp up activities in the weight room, according to Boone.

Right-hander Adam Warren has been shut down from throwing for at least a week due to right shoulder soreness, Boone said. Warren was reassigned to Minor League camp this past weekend.

Up next
Jordan Montgomery will make his third spring start on Wednesday as the Yankees visit the Blue Jays for a 1:05 p.m. ET game in Dunedin, Fla. Montgomery has pitched to a 1.80 ERA across five spring innings thus far. Thomas Hatch is scheduled to start for Toronto.