Open Thread: March 3rd Camp Notes

Earlier today, the Yankees got clobbered 13-4 by the Phillies in their second Grapefruit League game. Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat of the spring, which is pretty awesome. It was his first swing and second pitch of the spring. Rod went 1-for-2 with a walk. Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira, and Chase Headley each had a hit as well. Gary Sanchez went 0-for-1 with a pair of walks.

Ivan Nova started and allowed a run on two hits in two innings. He struck out one and got three ground ball outs. Jacob Lindgren had a no good, very bad day. He walked three and hit a batter in one-third of an inning, and was charged with four runs. Woof. James Pazos also took one on the chin; he allowed three runs on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning. Branden Pinder struck out two in a scoreless inning. The Yankees used eight pitchers and Pinder was the only one to not allow a run. Here is the box score, here are the day’s photos, and here are the day’s notes:

• Chad Jennings has the day’s workout groups. CC Sabathia, Vicente Campos, and the big three relievers all faced hitters in live batting practice. Nathan Eovaldi (groin) threw his bullpen session as scheduled. Brett Gardner (wrist) took indoor batting practice for the second day in a row. Chasen Shreve (back) threw a bullpen session. He was hit by a line drive during live batting practice earlier this week. Pete Kozma (back) has started defensive drills.
• The upcoming rotation: Bryan Mitchell (Friday), Tyler Cloyd (Saturday on TV), Masahiro Tanaka (Sunday on TV), Michael Pineda (Monday), Sabathia (Tuesday), Nova (Wednesday on TV), and Eovaldi (Thursday on TV). That schedule lines Tanaka up perfectly to start Opening Day with one extra day of rest between each spring start. [Bryan Hoch]
• Jacoby Ellsbury is not scheduled to play until Saturday even though he’s healthy. He’s battled nagging leg injuries towards the end of Spring Training the last two seasons, so it seems the Yankees are taking it a little slow with him out of the gate. [Erik Boland]
• Among the players making the trip to Lakeland for tomorrow afternoon’s game against the Tigers are Starlin Castro, Didi Gregorius, Rob Refsnyder, Jorge Mateo, Brian McCann, and Mitchell. That game will not be broadcast on television or MLB.tv. [Ryan Hatch]
• And finally, Slade Heathcott almost collided with Beltran while running down a fly ball during this afternoon’s game. Oh Slade. [Hoch]

This is tonight’s open thread. MLB Network is showing the Red Sox and Twins live tonight, if you’re looking for some baseball. The three local hockey teams are all playing and there’s some college basketball on too. Enjoy.