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New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Nova Have Strong Spring Training Debuts

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) celebrates with Carlos Beltran (36) as he comes to home plate after hitting a two run home run during the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) celebrates with Carlos Beltran (36) as he comes to home plate after hitting a two run home run during the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees received strong Spring Training debuts from Alex Rodriguez and Ivan Nova in Thursday’s game.

The New York Yankees were back at it on Thursday afternoon, playing their second Spring Training game. They were able to come away with a victory in their first game Wednesday, mounting an impressive comeback against the Detroit Tigers. They were unable to come away with a victory on Thursday, but the final score is not what was really important; it was seeing two players that will be keys to their success in the regular season getting off to a strong start.

At the plate, Alex Rodriguez is as polarizing a player as there is in MLB. After missing the 2014 season, Rodriguez was the center of attention at Spring Training last year. Everyone wanted to talk to him, and it was a circus around Yankees camp. This season the attention was not on Rodriguez, as he was able to go about his business for the first time in a long time.

Rodriguez is a main cog in the Yankees lineup, and having him produce as he did last season is imperative to their success. He got things off to as good of a start as you could have hoped for Thursday, as Rodriguez launched a home run in his first at-bat of the spring.

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It was only the second live pitch he even saw, as the first fastball came in high and tight to Rodriguez from Adam Morgan. The second one didn’t get that far, as Rodriguez deposited it over the outfield fence to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

While Spring Training stats mean very little, it is nice seeing Rodriguez have a hot start. The Yankees will be looking for ways to keep him fresh throughout the regular season, as he admitted to wearing down as the season wore on. But to have him in good shape heading into the season is also important, and he looks to be heading in that direction.

The other player that many people were keeping an eye on in Thursday’s game was starter Ivan Nova. Nova has been vocal about his desire to stay in the starting rotation and out of the bullpen, but as it currently stands he is on the outside looking in. He will need to deliver a strong spring to get into the discussion as the Yankees look ready to go with Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, Michael Pineda, Nathan Eovaldi and C.C. Sabathia.

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Nova pitched two innings against the Phillies on Thursday, leaving the game with a 2-1 lead. After allowing an RBI double in the first inning to Darin Ruf, Nova settled down and finished strong. He would retire the next four batters consecutively, getting three groundouts and one strikeout.

That is a very encouraging sign for Nova and the Yankees, as it means that his sinker was working. That was the pitch he rode to most of his success prior to Tommy John surgery, so it was nice to see it working this early in the spring. Nova was happy with the performance and feels good physically he said.

“My arm feels probably better than what I feel last year. I don’t have to prove anything [to the Yankees]. They have seen enough from me. I don’t worry about trying to impress my manager or pitching coach. I just have to prove to myself I can be in the rotation. I just have to concentrate and do my job.”

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Nova will continue his quest to nailing down a spot in the Yankees rotation when he takes the mound next Wednesday on the road in Port St. Lucie against the New York Mets.

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