New York Yankees Announce First Spring Training Starters

The New York Yankees announced who will be taking the mound for their first three games of Spring Training this week.

The New York Yankees will get their Spring Training games underway starting this week. With a team with as many question marks throughout it’s roster as the Yankees have, there are a number of roles up for grabs. Most of those questions come in the pitching staff, as the starting rotation has red flags and the bullpen has question marks outside their new big three of Andrew Miller, Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman.

That makes the early going of Spring Training extremely important, as players will be competing for jobs on the major league roster right from the onset. The Yankees will get to evaluating right away, as they have announced the first three starters for the spring season.

On Wednesday, in the home opener against the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees will send youngster Luis Severino to the mound. Severino probably has the least problems of any starting pitcher going into the regular season for the Yankees. He came on strong last season in his major league debut, as he played a big part in the Yankees making the postseason.

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The only question mark for Severino is workload, but the Yankees will not limit him this season. He could end up pitching the most innings of any starting pitcher they have on the roster this season. He is also the only projected starter that is ready to go early in the process, as he spent the offseason working out in the Dominican Rebpulic, adding strength to his frame.

The second game of the spring will be what people keep an eye on the most in the early going. That is because Ivan Nova will be taking the mound. At this time, Nova does not seem to have a spot in the rotation, but if he has a strong spring he could work his way into the conversation. He will take the mound Thursday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Nova has been very vocal about his desire to stay out of the bullpen, so if he wants to stay in the starting rotation he will have to perform this spring. Thursday will be his first opportunity to earn the rotation spot that he is battling for.

The final starter that has been announced was for the Yankees first road game Friday when they take on the Tigers. Bryan Mitchell will take the mound for that game, as he is competing for a spot in the bullpen as the long man and spot starter. It is the same spot the Yankees seem intent on Nova taking over, so these two could be in competition together all spring.

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It will be something to keep an eye on as things get going towards the regular season, as the Yankees have some questions to answer in the coming weeks for their pitching staff.

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