TAMPA – After raising concerns about getting a feel for the new baseballs that MLB is using this season, Gerrit Cole said there wasn’t much of a difference from what he was used to on his first start of Spring Monday.
Asked if he could tell a difference, the right-handed man said, “Not much. … I didn’t notice anything. “
Gary Sanchez agreed.
“I didn’t notice any change at all,” said Sanchez through an interpreter after shooting a massive homer in the Yankees 5-4, seven innings win over Detroit at George M. Steinbrenner Field. he will travel well. “
While the ball felt fine for Cole, his results in his first play of the spring were mixed, but he wasn’t concerned after giving up a run on three basehits in a 28-pitch inning in which he threw 15 batters.
“I felt comfortable there and tried to settle in some fields,” said Cole. “My location wasn’t quite where it should be.”
He added that he came out of the event physically ‘good’ and he would try to ‘clean up’ his throwline in his next outing, which Aaron Boone said would likely be with Kyle Higashioka behind the plate as the manager will do everything want. are pitchers to throw at different catchers all spring.
Cole’s speed was solid and Boone called his ace’s short performance “really good”.
Derek Dietrich, in camp for a minor league deal, started at third base on Monday and hopes his left-handed strength will give him a chance to play in The Bronx, where he is confident his swing will do well do thanks to the short veranda on the right. field.
Dietrich said he was told over the years that his “left-handed pull would certainly be rewarded at Yankee Stadium. It’s always something I’ve been thinking about. “
In addition to playing third, Dietrich said he is “most comfortable” at second base, which is occupied by DJ LeMahieu. He is also able to play first base and the corner outfield spots.
“I’ve always been a versatile player,” said Dietrich. “A Swiss army knife to get my bat in line.”
Dietrich spent the first six seasons of his career with the Marlins, most of them with Giancarlo Stanton.
“The man is an absolute beast,” said Dietrich. “He has clearly matured as a player, just like anyone with experience.”
The two trained together in Miami during the off-season, and Dietrich said Stanton “works harder than almost anyone I’ve ever played with.”
And with Stanton finally looking to stay sane, Dietrich added, “when it clicks and he’s consistent and on the field, he’s the absolute best player on the field.”
Jay Bruce, another veteran in the camp with a minor league deal, made a nice catch off the left field warning lane. … Aaron Hicks picked up where he left off a year ago and walked in each of his two record appearances. … Sanchez didn’t have the only big hit of the afternoon for the Yankees. Chris Gittens, a 27-year old outfielder, cleared the center left scoreboard with his grand slam in the fifth. Gittens hit 23 homers for Double-A Trenton in 2019.
Boone and Detroit manager AJ Hinch met at home plate for Monday’s game and Hinch