Born to run: Tauchman shows off his wheels

NEW YORK -- Mike Tauchman had the green light to run on Thursday, and the Yankees outfielder did not hesitate to use it.

Tauchman stole second and third bases in the ninth inning of the Bombers' 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Blue Jays, setting up what could have been the deciding run of the contest. Though he was erased on a fielder's choice at the plate, Tauchman loved the opportunity to play aggressively.

"They put me in the game to run," Tauchman said. "I didn't want to waste any time trying to get in a position to give our team a chance to win the game."

Tauchman came off the bench as a pinch-runner for Gary Sánchez, who opened the ninth with a walk off right-hander Jordan Romano. Tauchman said that the Yankees "thought we might have some information" on Romano, adding that he spoke on the bench with Brett Gardner and Tyler Wade while Sánchez worked his walk.

Bolting on Romano's first pitch to Jay Bruce, Tauchman beat catcher Danny Jansen's one-hop throw to second base with a headfirst slide. One batter later, Tauchman broke on an 0-1 pitch to Clint Frazier, swiping third base as Jansen bobbled the ball.

"Once you go out there, you just kind of trust your eyes and trust what you see," Tauchman said.

The rally fizzled when DJ LeMahieu grounded to third base, with Tauchman tagged out at the plate by Jansen. Tauchman said that the daring dashes are part of the versatile toolkit he offers, including the ability to play all three outfield positions and continuing to field ground balls at first base.

"I think anybody just wants us to be as complete a team as we can," Tauchman said. "The emphasis on the pitching side on velocity and strikeouts can cause some pitchers to become a little bit lax about holding on runners and their times to the plate. Maybe now, more than in years past, there are opportunities out there to steal bases at a pretty high percentage clip."

Midsummer classic moved

Manager Aaron Boone said that he was "heartened" by the communication between the league and its players in the leadup to Major League Baseball's decision to relocate the 2021 All-Star Game and MLB Draft. The decision was made in the wake of the passage of S.B. 202, a Georgia law that President Joe Biden criticized earlier this week, saying that it will restrict voting access for residents of the state.

"The fact that there was a swift and a difficult decision made, I'm a little heartened by that level of communication," Boone said. "Voting rights are a pillar in this country. As long as it's legally done, it should be something that's easy for somebody to go out and vote. It's one of our fundamental birthrights in this country.

"Hopefully, it's a dialogue that continues. Without getting into the politics too much of it, I was at least glad to see the players and Major League Baseball work really together and seem in sync in this situation."

MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred said on Friday that the league "fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box." The league is finalizing a new host city for the 2021 All-Star festivities.

Crutch hitter

Luke Voit hobbled on crutches to the first-base line during Thursday's Opening Day pregame ceremonies, moving gingerly following surgery performed on March 29 to repair a torn left meniscus in his left knee. Boone said that Voit is recovering well and could return to the lineup sometime in May.

"He's feeling good here in the early days," Boone said. "He’s already up on the Alter-G [treadmill] and on the bike, things like that. Hopefully, if things go smoothly, we’re looking at a four- to six-week scenario. I know there’s no baseball activities for at least three weeks post-surgery, so we’ll just see how he builds up from there.”

Sunday for Domingo

Right-hander Domingo Germán is set to make his first Major League appearance since Sept. 18, 2019, on Sunday, when he takes the mound for the series finale against the Blue Jays. Germán received an 81-game suspension for violation of baseball’s policy against domestic violence, costing him the entire pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

“It’s been a long time, and to have the opportunity, it’s exciting,” Germán said through a translator. “At the same time, having pitched in the big leagues before, it’s very important to keep in check the anxiety and excitement you’re going to feel.”

Germán won a rotation spot with a strong spring, holding opponents to two earned runs over 13 innings, with 17 strikeouts. He led the Yankees with 18 wins in 2019, owning a .818 winning percentage that paced the Majors.

“I’m grateful to the Steinbrenner family for this opportunity,” he said.

Comeback trail

Left-hander Justin Wilson (tightness in left shoulder) tossed live batting practice on Saturday morning at Yankee Stadium and looked “pretty much ready to go,” said Boone, who expects the reliever to be activated before the series against the Rays beginning on April 9. Wilson is slated to toss one more live BP early this coming week.

Right-hander Luis Severino (recovery from Tommy John surgery performed in February 2020) continues to toss bullpen sessions at the player development complex in Tampa, Fla. Boone said that Severino has been throwing fastballs and sliders, and is bouncing back well as he targets a June or July return to the rotation.

Right-hander Clarke Schmidt (strained right elbow) continues to experience symptoms and has yet to resume a throwing program. Schmidt is ranked as the club’s No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline.