The Yankees (30-17, 2.0 GA in AL East) set out to continue their dominance against the Baltimore Orioles (15-33, 15.5 GB) on Wednesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Yankees notes

Gary Sanchez has feasted on Orioles' pitching in 2019, slamming eight home runs against Baltimore, six of which have come at Camden Yards. ... Clint Frazier bounced out of a 6-40 slump with two home runs against the Orioles on Tuesday, his seventh and eighth long balls of the season. ... DJ LeMahieu remains an absolute hitting machine for the Bronx Bombers, as his three hits last night now give him an AL-best 18 multi-hit games on the season. 

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees walk it off, beating the Rays, 4-3, at Yankee Stadium to take the AL East lead. >> Box score

Six Takeaway's from Friday's game...

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives

When Domingo German stepped on the mound as a Yankee in 2018, the talent and the hint of potential success in the big leagues was evident. However, German failed to consistently deliver positive results and eventually fell out of favor down the stretch.

None of that matters to the Yankees now because it is clear that German gained valuable experience from all those major-league reps.

With the division lead on the line, the Yankees couldn't take down the Rays for the second straight night, losing 7-2 at Tropicana Field. >> Box score

Five Takeaways from Saturday's game...

1) CC Sabathia got the start in this one, and it was the long ball that did him in. Luckily, it was only two solo shots that were hit off the big lefty that totaled his earned runs on the night. Overall, his line read five innings, three hits, two earned, four walks, and two strikeouts. 

The Yankees look to take full control of the AL East with a win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday at Tropicana Field with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m. 

Yankees notes

Gleyber Torres is in the Yankees' lineup batting fifth after he was hit in the right elbow in the eighth inning on Friday. He stayed in the game but there was some concern if he would need to sit out on Saturday. X-rays came back negative and he was just a little swollen but said he "felt good." ... Gio Urshela is batting eighth and playing third base as he continues to come up with big hits for the Yankees. Urshela is hitting .300/.318/.450 with a home run and nine RBI in high leverage situations this year and is 5-for-10 with five RBI with two outs and runners in scoring position.

If the Yankees plan on adding a pitcher this summer, a trade for Madison Bumgarner may not be so easy. 

Aside from building an enticing package to offer the San Francisco Giants, the 29-year-old left-hander submitted a no-trade list comprising of eight teams, one of which is the Yankees, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. 

Bumgarner, who is eligible to become a free agent in the offseason, has been rumored as a possible trade deadline chip as the Giants sit in last place 8.5 games out of the NL West lead.

While the Yankees may wait until after the MLB draft to pursue free-agent starting pticher Dallas Keuchel, there reportedly appears to be mutual interest.

The Yankees, Fancred's Jon Heyman said on WFAN on Thursday, are considered one of the favorites to sign Keuchel, who is still a free agent after rejecting the Astros' $17.9 million qualifying offer last offseason.

"I think the Yankees will be there for Keuchel," Heyman told WFAN's "Joe and Evan." "I think at this point, there's not a bad chance that the Yankees end up with Keuchel. Keuchel, from what I understand, would love to be in a big market, and the suitors for the most part to this point have not been of that ilk. ... If I had to pick one team out of the 30 right now, I would go with the Yankees."

CC Sabathia has his eyes set on retirement at the end of the 2019 season, but that doesn't mean he wants to leave the Yankees for good. 

Speaking to The Post's Andrew Marchand, the veteran lefty wants to continue making an impact in the Bronx, saying he would love to work something out with the team no matter the role. 

"I want to be a part of the Yankees still, front office, whatever, however we can work that out," he said.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Yankees didn't flex their financial muscles in the most obvious way last winter, passing on Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, but they nevertheless bought themselves a luxury item that few other teams in baseball can afford:

A $27 million sixth-inning reliever.

And a $39 million seventh-inning reliever, oh by the way.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives

Three Yankees homered as New York beat the Mariners 7-3 on Monday at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Five takeaways from Monday's game

1) It seems each time Brett Gardner gets into a bit of a rut, he comes through with a home run. The Yankees veteran outfielder homered and tripled in three at-bats, helping to boost his average to .223. Gardner would be better served playing less, but the Yankees are not living with luxury right now.

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Now that CC Sabathia has notched his 3,000th strikeout, it'll be tempting to boil that milestone down to what it says about his Hall of Fame credentials. It's a terrific boost, obviously, but Sabathia authored a marvelous, entertaining career long before he fanned John Ryan Murphy Wednesday night to hit that magic number.

So 3K strikeouts ought to be recognized as an occasion to appreciate what Sabathia has done in his 19 seasons, too, especially because he's retiring at the end of the year. There will be debate about whether he belongs in Cooperstown, but there's no denying that the ride has been something special.

The Yankees could not give CC Sabathia a victory in addition to reaching 3,000 strikeouts as Zack Greinke dominated Yankees hitters in a 3-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. >> Box score

5 takeaways from Tuesday's game

1) CC Sabathia became the 17th pitcher to join the 3,000 strikeout club with five strikeouts against the Diamondbacks with his strikeout of former Yankee John Ryan Murphy in the second inning. He finished with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday night, allowing just two earned runs on five hits as he rebounded from his worst start of the season. 

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia has had a storied career, and in his 19th season, he reached a club that had only 16 members before Sabathia's arrival.

With his 3,000th strikeout on Tuesday night against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, Sabathia became just the 17th pitcher ever to reach that level.

Sabathia struck out three batters in the second inning, although he allowed a home run and a single, but reached the milestone by getting former Yankee John Ryan Murphy to end the inning.

The Yankees look to continue their red-hot road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m. with CC Sabathia on the mound seeking his 3,000th career strikeout. 

Yankees notes

Gary Sanchez has two home runs and seven RBI in his last two games. ... Gleyber Torres enters the game with a six-game hitting streak, hitting a home run with five RBI during the streak, including three multi-hit games. ... Luke Voit is batting second after being named AL Player of the Week. 

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

It was past midnight, Wednesday p.m. into Thursday a.m., and the Yankees hadn't begun their comeback in Anaheim yet that would lift them to a sixth straight victory, as they are defying all odds with a lineup that GM Brian Cashman calls "our 'B' Bombers."

Not as in Baby Bombers, of course, but rather Plan B.

The Yankees were down from the start, but they battled their way back to a 6-5 win to beat the Angels and keep their win streak alive. >> Box score

Six takeaways from Wednesday's game...

1) DJ LeMahieu came into this game going 2-for-his-last-32 at the plate. Make that 2-for-33 after a strikeout in his first at-bat on the night. But that all went away when he put the Yanks on the board in the top of the sixth with an RBI double. The next inning, he hit a clutch sac fly to make it a one-run game. But his biggest hit came in the top of the ninth when he fought off a fastball to right field to score Tyler Wade to give the Yankees the lead and eventual win. 

The Yankees continue their West Coast tilt against the Angels on Wednesday in Anaheim at 10:07 p.m.

Yankees notes

The Yankees continue to stay hot despite their injury battles. They have now won five games straight after their 7-5 victory Tuesday night. ...Luke Voit has been red hot at the plate with two home runs last night. He now has three in back-to-back games. ...Mike Ford launched his first homer of his career, a bomb to right center field. ...Chad Green was sent down to Triple-A before tonight's game after putting up a four spot in his relief appearance on Tuesday. With Green's ERA over 16 this season, the Yankees want him to figure things out in their farm system before returning. Stephen Tarpley was recalled.

Gio Gonzalez appears increasingly likely to opt out of his minor league deal with the Yankees on Saturday, according to multiple major league sources. If he does, the Mets could be more of a fit than they were in the offseason.

On Friday, Gonzalez switched agents from Scott Boras to CAA. The move was intended to set him up with representation that he felt more comfortable with, in the event that he would become a free agent again.

If Gonzalez requests his release from the Yankees on Saturday, per a clause in his contract, the team will have 48 hours to add him to the major league roster. With Domingo German pitching capably and CC Sabathia back from the injured list, there is no obvious spot for Gonzalez -- though the Yankees could promote him and either piggyback him with German or put in him their rotation, in order to retain control.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives

An All-Star collection of Yankees sit on the club's injured list, which has been one of the main culprits to their 8-10 start to the season. There are six regulars that have already missed significant time in 2019, but who is missed the most?

Gio Gonzalez has a decision to make this week.

There is an April 20 opt-out in the minor deal deal Gonzalez signed with the Yankees last month, giving him the chance to return to free agency if he hasn't been called up to the majors by Saturday.

"Right now, I'm not even thinking 30 teams," Gonzalez recently told the New York Post. "If it's not good enough for this team that I'm with right now, that's all that matters. I want to perform for the team that has me in their minors right now. Hopefully something happens."

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Maybe the pomp of the first series with the Red Sox this season is just the tonic the lackluster Yankees need in what's been a blah start to their season. 

Nothing like a visit from a bitter rival to jolt a club. And make no mistake: The Yankees need a jolt. Badly. 

The Yankees beat the White Sox, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx >> Box score

Six takeaways from Saturday's game…

1) CC Sabathia, coming off the injured list to make his first start of the season, was spectacular. In five innings, Sabathia allowed just one base runner (on a single) and struck out three. Sabathia, who will be retiring at season's end, is now 11 strikeouts away from 3,000 for his career, which should aid his bid to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Before we concern ourselves with Sabathia's career worth, right now the Yanks can use some of the stopper stuff he's possessed the last couple of seasons. He provided it Saturday.

The Yankees (5-8) host the White Sox (4-8) at Yankee Stadium on Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

Yankees Notes

The depleted Yankees have lost four games in a row to fall 5.5 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. ... CC Sabathia returns from the DL to make his first start of the season. ... Aaron Judge has struck out four times over his last two games and is on pace to strike out 249 times this season. 

With news that Gary Sanchez was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, the Yankees now have a major-league leading 12 players on the IL. 

The list consists of seven position players and five pitchers, although CC Sabathia will return to the team on Saturday, but it is still half the roster that is sidelined. 

Just how significant are the players missing time with injury?

Yankees RHP Domingo German threw six strong innings, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning in Sunday's 15-3 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

"The key today was to mix my pitches and be unpredictable out there, try to use my changeup in a way that they weren't expecting it," German said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "That's something I worked on in between starts. It worked out very well for me today."

Injured Yankees ace Luis Severino, who is progressing in a deliberate way as he works his way back from rotator cuff inflammation, is still not ready to throw from the mound, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday, according to The Athletic's Lindsey Adler.

Adler noted that the Yankees will let Severino decide when he's ready to progress to throwing from the mound. 

Boone said earlier this month that he is optimistic Severino will take the next step soon, with that step being graduating from long-tossing to the next phase of rehab. Severino took his first big step toward a return on March 20, when he threw on flat ground...

Having played the rebuilding Orioles and Tigers to start the season, the Yankees might have believed to be much better than 3-4 at the moment. Injuries are part of the issue (some of which should have been expected), but performance has not lived up to expectations in some cases.

There are 155 games left in the season, but it's difficult to avoid wondering if the current feeling about the club would be different had they made some different decisions this offseason, including...

A stronger pursuit of Patrick Corbin

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

We'd say the Yankees limped out of the Stadium Wednesday evening after their latest sluggish loss, but an injury joke probably hits too close to home for a club that's playing both poorly and losing players seemingly daily.

Troy Tulowitzki is the latest casualty. He left the Yankees' 2-1 loss to the lowly Tigers in the second inning, nursing a Grade 1 left calf strain. Aaron Boone said he didn't have all the details on Tulo's condition, but reckoned the shortstop was heading for the Injured List.

Yankees ace Luis Severino continues to progress in his return from rotator cuff inflammation, but the Yankees "want him to feel 100 percent" before he gets back on the mound, manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday, according to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic. 

Boone added that he is optimistic Severino will take the next step soon, with that step being graduating from long-tossing to the next phase of rehab. 

Severino took his first big step toward a return on March 20, when he threw on flat ground. 

A hurting Yankees starting rotation could receive a shot in the arm as soon as next week. 

CC Sabathia could join the rotation for the Yankees' next homestand, which starts on Friday, April 12 against the White Sox, manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday. 

Sabathia tossed four scoreless innings during an extended Spring Training contest Monday. 

The length of Giancarlo Stanton's absence from the Yankees' lineup became clearer Tuesday. 

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees hope Stanton will be back in three weeks. The team placed him on the 10-day injured list Monday with a Grade 1 left biceps strain.

Stanton suffered the injury Sunday against the Orioles during his third at-bat of the rain-delayed game, he said. 

Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar could need season-ending shoulder surgery after he suffered a partially torn right labrum, manager Aaron Boone said after Monday's game.

The Yankees placed Andujar on the 10-day injured list on Monday afternoon, hours after the team announced outfielder Giancarlo Stanton would be shut down for at least 10 days with a biceps injury.

Andujar, 24, injured his shoulder diving back into third base. New York recalled Tyler Wade from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his place on the 25-man roster.

The Yankees officially placed outfielder Aaron Hicks, starting pitcher Luis Severino and several others on the injured list to start the season.

New York placed six players on the IL, including Dellin Betances (right shoulder impingement), Jacoby Ellsbury (left hip surgery recovery), shortstop Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery recovery) and RHP Ben Heller (Tommy John surgery recovery).

Hicks suffered a lower back injury and has not yet started baseball activities. He has been out since March 2, and manager Aaron Boone said he does not have a definitive timetable for Hicks' return.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives

While the Yankees did not splurge on stars Manny Machado or Bryce Harper as many expected, the club completed a big trade and spread out its wealth for roster additions in free agency in an effort to supplement its incredibly talented young core.

Let's take a look at the 2019 Yankees, a team that sports an Opening Day payroll of approximately $204 million, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts ($226 million-plus for competitive balance tax purposes), as they embark on their yearly quest for a World Series title.

Pitching Staff

CC Sabathia isn't bummed out about not being ready for Opening Day.

The veteran lefty, who continues to make progress as he works his way back from a heart procedure and knee surgery, has bigger goals in mind for his final MLB season.

"Opening Day is not that special, I'd rather be there for the World Series," Sabathia told the Associated Press on Tuesday after making his second spring start in a Triple-A game.

Luis Severino took another step forward in his recovery on Monday. 

The 25-year-old right-hander threw from 120 feet for the first time since he was shut down with shoulder inflammation on March 5. 

The Yankees ace is not with the team, which was in Washington D.C. on Monday for an exhibition game against the Nationals, as he will start the season on the injured list. 

The Yankees have sorted out their starting rotation for the beginning of the season.

Domingo German has earned a spot in the rotation while Luis Cessa made the club has a long reliever. Jonathan Loaisiga was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday because CC Sabathia will begin the season on the 25-man roster so he can serve his five-game suspension from last season, but Loaisiga likely will be called up for Game 6 when Sabathia goes on the injured list, Aaron Boone told reporters.

Boone didn't rule out using an opener on April 1 when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up. After that, Loaisiga probably will take Sabathia's spot in the rotation until he can return while German takes the spot of Luis Severino, who might not return until May as he works his way back from rotator cuff inflammation.

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia said he felt good after throwing two innings against Phillies minor leaguers, the first time he has faced opposing batters for the first time this spring as he looks to return to the mound from a heart procedure he underwent this past offseason.

"It felt good. No problems," Sabathia said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "I felt like I was letting the ball come out of my hand pretty good. All positive. You've got to throw the results out and go on how you feel. I feel great, so I'm just ready for the next step."

Sabathia threw 26 pitches in two innings against the Detroit Tigers' Triple-A team on Thursday at the Yankees' minor-league complex, striking out three batters and allowing one run and two hits.

It appears Gio Gonzalez won't enter the Yankees rotation unless there is an emergency.

And though Luis Severino is set to miss roughly the first month of the season after dealing with rotator cuff inflammation and CC Sabathia needs more time to get ready, the Yankees don't believe they're in crisis mode because they have Luis Cessa, Jonathan Loaisiga and Domingo German. GM Brian Cashman would prefer to use any of those pitchers instead of Gonzalez, who was signed to a minor-league deal this week.

"Optimally, I'd like to have the kids that we have, rely on those guys, to be honest," Cashman told reporters on Thursday. "We really do believe in the ceilings of the Cessas and Loaisigas and the Germans and we think those guys have earned the right for an opportunity and they're going to get those opportunities."

Scott Thompson, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Yankees are exactly one week away from opening their 2019 season against the Orioles in the Bronx, and the battles to make the 25-man roster when camp breaks are coming down to the wire. Injuries continue to plague this squad, with Greg Bird the latest to receive medical attention after he was hit by a pitch in the elbow. Luckily, that isn't expected to be a big deal, but other Yankees may not be so lucky when the season kicks off.

Here's how we see things shaking out in our 25-man Roster Prediction 3.0...

While the Yankees will be without injured ace Luis Severino for a while longer, he took a big step on Wednesday toward a return, throwing on flat ground. 

Severino had been shut down since March 5, and GM Brian Cashman announced last Friday that the best-case scenario for Severino would be a May return -- confirming the timeline an orthopedic surgeon gave SNY earlier this month. 

The 25-year-old Severino does not have any structural damage in his shoulder, but he is basically re-starting his Spring Training as the team prepares for Opening Day in just over a week. 

Gio Gonzalez could be in line for quite the payday with the Yankees. 

Nearing a Minor League deal with the club, the left-hander will have a base salary of $3 million. After that, he can earn $300,000 per start, with a maximum total of $12 million this season, per Jon Heyman. 

Gio: 3M base milb deal, 300k per start. 12M Max. #yankees

Tags: CC Sabathia, Luis Severino

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CC Sabathia took the next step toward a return to the Yankees' rotation on Saturday, throwing his first simulated game of the spring after previously having thrown bullpen sessions.

Sabathia is working his way back from a heart procedure and knee surgery. He won't be ready for Opening Day -- and must serve a five-game suspension to begin the season -- but his trajectory seems to put him in line for a mid-April return.

The veteran lefty threw 32 pitches on Field 2 while facing DJ LeMahieu, Troy Tulowitzki and Kyle Holder. 

As the Yankees ponder whether to fill the early-season holes left by Luis Severino and CC Sabathia with in-house options or to add a veteran starter, they're linked with one free agent in particular.

Jon Heyman reported Friday that the Yankees "maintain some interest" in lefty Gio Gonzalez, though there are no signs that a deal is imminent. 

Severino will miss the first month of the season with rotator cuff inflammation while the start of Sabathia's season will be slightly delayed because of a five-game suspension he has to serve and his recovery from a heart procedure and knee surgery.

Many wondered all offseason if the Yankees were going to pony up to sign either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, and CC Sabathia admitted there was a degree of surprise that the Yanks didn't add one of the stars. But ultimately, Sabathia believes the Yanks will be just fine without them.

"A little bit (surprised,) but we didn't need either one of them," Sabathia said on WFAN's CMB program Friday. "We've got a really good right fielder, we've got a really, really good third baseman. So I think we're fine. I think if we needed those guys it'd be a different story, but I think our team is set the way it is. It's good."

The Yankees are going to be without their ace for at least the first month of the season. 

General manager Brian Cashman announced on Friday that the best-case scenario for Luis Severino would be for a May return, confirming what an orthopedic surgeon told SNY earlier this month. 

Severino, 25, is still in the midst of his two-week shutdown period after feeling soreness in his shoulder and would have to start his throwing from scratch once he resumes. 

The Yankees have their Opening Day starter. 

Masahiro Tanaka will get the call to take the mound on March 27 when the Yankees open the season against the Baltimore Orioles, manager Aaron Boone announced on Saturday. 

It will be the fourth career Opening Day start for the 30-year-old. 

The Yankees have decided who their Opening Day starter will be, a process they had to go through again with the news that Luis Severino was shut down for two weeks with rotator cuff inflammation. 

And though Aaron Boone wasn't ready Friday to publicly reveal who will take the hill on March 28 against Baltimore in the Bronx, the signs point to Masahiro Tanaka drawing the assignment.

Tanaka, who gave up two runs in 3.1 innings Friday against Detroit, is lined up to pitch that day and he has previous experience starting on Opening Day, having done so three straight seasons from 2015-17. 

Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is slashing .389/.500/.722 with one home run and three RBIs through eight spring training games.

Teammate Luke Voit is hitting .286/.412/.714 with two home runs and five RBIs, and has noticeably improved his defense, through eight Grapefruit League games as well.

Yet manager Aaron Boone isn't ready to declare a favorite in the Yankees' first base competition, for which there is likely only one spot on the 25-man roster.