TAMPA, Fla. -- There has been a buzz within the Yankees’ clubhouse walls since the day that fans returned to George M. Steinbrenner Field late last month, and the players are even more amped by the news that at least 9,000 attendees will be on hand for Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on April 1.
In conjunction with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health, the Yankees have announced that regular-season home games will reopen to fans at 20 percent capacity. Yankee Stadium’s official seating capacity is 46,537, according to the team’s media guide.
“I'm extremely excited that the fans are being allowed back in the stadium,” outfielder Aaron Hicks said. “It’s going to be nice to have fans back in the stands and give us some energy and excitement throughout the game.”
The Yankees’ last game with fans in The Bronx was Game 5 of the 2019 American League Championship Series against the Astros, when DJ LeMahieu and Hicks hit first-inning homers off AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in a 4-1 victory that was witnessed by a crowd of 48,483.
Steinbrenner Field has permitted approximately 25 percent of its capacity this spring, with face coverings mandatory for all guests age 2 and older.
“Even though Spring Training has been limited, I still strongly believe that some fans are better than no fans,” right-hander Corey Kluber said. “I think that we as players didn't realize how much we appreciate having fans in the stands until last year, when there weren't any. Twenty percent is a lot better than zero; having any fans the stands makes it a more fun environment.”
Tuning up
Many Yankees players had a day off on Thursday, but one exception was Kluber, who tossed to hitters from the Steinbrenner Field mound in lieu of an exhibition game. The right-hander said that he threw about 62 pitches over four simulated innings.
“I thought it was good,” Kluber said. “One of the challenges with live BP sometimes is trying to get yourself in the right mindset for it. It’s easy to go out there and go through the motions, but I thought I did a good job [Thursday]. I threw the ball well, executed, and most of my pitches missed barrels for the most part. It was a good day’s work.”
Kluber is expected to start on April 3, when the Yankees host the Blue Jays for the second game of the regular season. After being limited to one inning last year with the Rangers due to injuries, Kluber said that he feels healthy enough to pitch a full campaign.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot delivery-wise, the way the ball is coming out of my hand and the reactions I’m getting,” Kluber said. “With the missed time the last couple of years, getting more game reps and getting in game situations will be good for me. But for where we're at right now, I think I'm in a pretty good spot.”
Nothing to it
Deivi García’s fourth spring start appeared to be on shaky ground in the first inning of Friday's 4-1 loss to the Phillies, as three walks drew pitching coach Matt Blake to the mound for a one-out chat.
García, the Yankees' No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, took a deep breath and collected himself, leaving the bases loaded by inducing Odúbel Herrera to fly out to shallow left field and striking out Andrew Knapp looking at a 93.2 mph fastball.
“You know how important execution can be, especially when you’re throwing certain pitches near the zone,” García said through an interpreter. “You have to find a way to execute and get out of those jams. The learning experience of how to navigate that, it's a key there.”
García held the Phillies hitless over three innings, tossing 56 pitches (32 for strikes) while striking out two against four walks. New York pitchers held Philadelphia hitless into the eighth inning.
“I saw a lot of good things out of [García] tonight,” Boone said. “The four walks put a little damper on that when you’re trying to build, but not all walks are created equal. There were some rough ones that we had tonight. I thought Deivi was around the plate for the most part.”
Steal of a deal
This might be the best swap of the baseball season so far: baseball fan Ian French purchased one of Jameson Taillon’s old Pirates equipment bags from a Pittsburgh Goodwill location for $10.
The fan posted a picture of the gently-used bag on Twitter, still featuring a white card that bore Taillon’s name and his uniform No. 50. Taillon confirmed that the bag was legit.
“Yeah, moved out of my place in Bloomfield the other day. Had that taken to Goodwill. Lots of miles left in that bad boy," Taillon said.
French told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that he “was just milling around, saw the Pirates logo, then saw his name on it and just had to get it.”
Making moves
The Yankees trimmed their spring roster on Friday, optioning four players to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre: right-hander Albert Abreu, infielder Thairo Estrada, first baseman Mike Ford and right-hander Brooks Kriske. All four appeared with the Yanks during the 2020 season.
Bombers bits
• Clarke Schmidt (common extensor strain of right elbow) has not resumed throwing, according to manager Aaron Boone, though he said that the right-hander is “getting close to that point.” Schmidt is the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline.
• Kyle Higashioka (side soreness) is scheduled to catch on Sunday, according to Boone. Higashioka’s condition improved enough to perform a full batting-cage routine. Boone said that the Yankees want Gary Sánchez to catch back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.
Up next
Right-hander Michael King will make his fifth appearance and second start of the spring on Saturday, as the Yankees visit the Orioles for a 6:05 p.m. ET contest in Sarasota, Fla.