#kyle-higashioka

#kyle-higashioka

MLB.com | Dave Sessions: The New York Yankees are mercifully heading back home after an abomination of a road trip was capped off with an embarrassing 15-2 loss to the Texas Rangers.It was their biggest win against the Yankees since 1996.Notably, it was Nestor Cortes' worst start of the season and the worst of his Yankees career.

No Aaron Judge.Anthony Volpe on a night off.Giancarlo Stanton and Harrison Bader still out.Early in this one, the question was whether the Yankees could simply get a baserunner.Former Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom was dealing, until he left the game in the fourth inning due to an injury.Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt took a step back from his most recent start against the Blue Jays and a Yankee lineup that scared no one other than its own fans couldn't climb out of the hole.

At this point last year, Jose Trevino wasn't on the radar of Yankees ' fans.It seemed like Kyle Higashioka was set to be the starter with Ben Rortvedt - acquired in the Josh Donaldson/Isiah Kiner-Falefa trade that also sent Gary Sánchez away - in position to be the backup.However, Rortvedt was - and seemingly forever remains - injured, and as we got closer to Opening Day, the Yankees decided they needed someone else with some MLB experience.

NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: The Padres have been spending fast and loose with their cash this offseason, continuing their ascent into the upper levels of the baseball world (Yu Darvish was the latest benefactor).One player who they haven't locked down, however, is their third baseman, Manny Machado.The six-time All-Star can opt out of his deal with San Diego after this season, and while the Padres also want to extend him, expect both New York teams to make a run at Machado if he tests the market.

New York Post | Mark W. Sanchez: Last year was a challenge for Josh Donaldson, his worst offensive season since he was a rookie.The Yankee third baseman admitted that he let his struggles get to him by the end of the year, and he certainly didn't look like an MLB regular during the club's playoff run.

The Rangers may have sustained a devastating blow when Jacob deGrom exited last night's start with forearm tightness, but they still managed to secure a comfortable 5-2 victory over the Yankees.While the Yankees await news on Aaron Judge's hip, we get our first look at Jake Bauers following his call-up earlier this afternoon.

Spring training is dead!Long live spring training!It wrapped up in a 3-0 loss at Nationals Park, but what's most important is that everyone escaped the finale with their health intact.Oh, and Nestor Cortes was sharp along the way.Although he failed to record a strikeout, Cortes looked like he won't miss much of a beat when the games actually count the next time he pitches, allowing just two hits and a walk across four innings.

We've reached the point of the spring where it's hard not to just entirely focus on Opening Day later this week.As every day goes by, we get more news on who has or hasn't made the Yankees' roster.On Sunday, the news was exciting, with the announcement that top prospect Anthony Volpe was going to be part of the big league roster.

Last week, when we opened the 2023 edition of Pinstripe Alley's annual Making the Team Meter, we found a Yankees roster that, despite battles for the shortstop and left field positions and the fifth spot in the starting rotation, looked relatively set for Opening Day.Things can change quickly during spring training, however, and over the course of the last seven days, the landscape completely changed: injuries to Carlos Rodón, Tommy Kahnle, and Lou Trivino suddenly opened a plethora of spots on the pitching staff, while Harrison Bader's oblique strain meant that the team has not one but two outfield spots up for grabs.

MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: With all of Ben Rortvedt, Josh Breaux, and Austin Wells banged up and Kyle Higashioka on his way to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, the Yankees suddenly found themselves very light on catching depth behind Jose Trevino.So they've found another backstop to help them out in the spring and to likely serve as a third-stringer once Higgy returns to New York.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: It's Opening Day, and Anthony Volpe is making his major league debut today.The Yankees ' top prospect broke camp with the squad, and will be the youngest player to appear in the first game of the season since Derek Jeter in 1996.The expectations for the young shortstop are sky-high, but his polishing in the Yankee system over the past couple seasons should make him ready to hit the ground running.

The Yankees looked ready to rumble from the start today, but their minor league relief pitchers couldn't quite hold things together as they fell to the Orioles.The regulars who made the trip to Sarasota did an excellent job in the lineup, and the position battles that the Yankees face become more and more interesting by the day.

Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts will be leaving Camelback Ranch soon to join his Team USA teammates in preparation for the World Baseball Classic, which kicks off on March 11.It will be Mookie's first time representing his country in the WBC or any other international competition.Betts said recently that the opportunity to be teammates with Mike Trout again was a big pull for him to participate in the WBC.

There wasn't much time for Team USA to celebrate their remarkable win over Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on Saturday, as they were back in action the very next night.Waiting for them was a Cuba ballclub that had a couple days off after their quarterfinal victory over Australia.

We are getting into the heart of this year's World Baseball Classic.Two of the four pools are now fully in the books, and the other two are starting to take shape.We are now just two days away from the other two pools wrapping up and the knockout stage beginning.However before we get to all that, let's look back at yesterday's action at the WBC, which ended up being quite eventful.

Just a week ago, USA Baseball announced the 30-man roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic during a two-hour MLB Tonight show on MLB Network.While the roster has undergone a few minor changes since then, Team USA has put together a strong contender in the hopes of defending their title after the USA beat Puerto Rico 8-0 back in 2017 in the last World Baseball Classic.

After having to deal with no visuals for yesterday's game, the good news is we get to watch some baseball today.This afternoon, the Yankees will return to their spring home to take on the Nationals in today's spring action.Today, the Yankees will run out a lineup that we conceivably could see during the regular season.

Charlie Morton was solid in his spring debut and Ian Anderson bounced back with a good performance, but a late lead slipped away in the ninth as the Atlanta Braves fell to the New York Yankees, 10-6.Morton looked crisp in his first inning of work and showed good movement with his curveball.He fell behind in the count to Oswaldo Cabrera, who took him deep for a solo shot to right.

The history of the Yankees at the World Baseball Classic has been uneven, but almost always worth keeping tabs on.While Robinson Canó was the MVP of the tournament and only Yankee to play internationally in 2013, the 2017 WBC featured five Bronx big leaguers, second-most only to the inaugural edition in 2006.

CBS | RJ Anderson: It appears the road for a Yankee youngster to take over shortstop is being cleared, as Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been working out all across the diamond in spring.It seems IKF is ticketed to be a true utility player in 2023, but Aaron Boone hinted that the onetime shortstop would get some reps in center field during exhibition play.

It's been a busy, busy week in the baseball world.Another week of spring training has come and gone, bringing us ever so much closer to Opening Day.Meanwhile, the first World Baseball Classic in six years has finally kicked off, as pool play began earlier this week.Let's see what the Yankees have been up to on social media this week.

New York Daily News | James O'Connell: Spring training is already underway for most teams, but the Yankees will take the field for the first time today against the Philadelphia Phillies.The game will start at 1:05 PM ET and will be played at BayCare Ballpark, in Clearwater, FL.Winter signing Tyler Danish will take the ball for New York, while former Yankee Nick Nelson will be the starter for the Phillies.

Spring training is in full swing, as the final few players reported to Tampa to begin ramping up for the 2023 season.But although batting practice, throwing regimes, and drills are the focus of the day, it's not all work and no play for the Bronx Bombers.Check out this week's social media roundup to get a glimpse into life at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Major League Baseball has revealed the official rosters for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and the reigning champions will have three members of the Chicago White Sox in the fold.Team USA's roster, released on Thursday on MLB Network, includes some of the game's biggest stars, including Mike Trout and Mookie Betts, and three White Sox players will aim to give the American squad their second consecutive win in the tournament.

United States releases World Baseball Classic roster originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea Major League Baseball revealed the official rosters for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, selecting 10 position players and 10 pitchers to try to defend their championship next month.Team USA's roster, released on Thursday on MLB Network, includes some of the game's biggest stars, including Mike Trout, Pete Alonso and reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt.