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Aaron Boone’s comments on Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony draw attention ahead of Opening Day.
The New York Yankees lost 2-1 to the Seattle Mariners on Monday night. Cal Raleigh singled home the winning run in the ninth inning to hand the Yankees their first defeat of the season. Ryan Weathers struck out seven across four and a third innings in his Yankees debut. Luis Castillo held the lineup to just two hits across six dominant innings.
The loss dropped New York to 3-1. The pitching staff that allowed just one run across 27 innings in San Francisco, gave up just two on the night.
Away from the field, the Yankees received updates on multiple injured players working their way back.
Yankees Get Volpe Update
Anthony Volpe is moving closer to game action. Bryan Hoch reported that the shortstop has been working with the Trajekt pitching machine recently and is expected to step into the batter’s box against live arms on Wednesday in Tampa.
Getting Volpe back could change the complexion of the infield. Jose Caballero has impressed on defense to start the season. On the offensive side, Volpe brings a different level.
Facing live pitching represents a key step in the progression. If Wednesday goes well, a rehab assignment would be the next checkpoint before Volpe rejoins the major league roster.
GettyAnthony Volpe of the New York Yankees is nearing a return.
Rodon and Cole Getting Closer
The pitching staff is about to get reinforcements as well.
Carlos Rodon threw 50 pitches in live batting practice on Sunday in Tampa as he continues to build back from elbow surgery.
Gerrit Cole is slightly further behind but still progressing. He is expected to throw one inning of live batting practice in the coming days as he works through a scheduled deload period before ramping up a final time.
The current rotation of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Weathers has been impressive through the first four games.
GettyGerrit Cole of the New York Yankees. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
How Monday’s Game Unfolded
Weathers finished with seven strikeouts and one earned run in four innings, though he expressed a desire to work deeper into games going forward.
Castillo was the story on the other side. The only two hits the Yankees managed off him were a bloop and a ground ball that found a hole.
The Yankees tied it in the seventh. Amed Rosario came off the bench and lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 1-1. Stanton doubled in the ninth to put the go-ahead run in scoring position, but the Yankees could not push him across.
Raleigh had struggled to start the season. But when the moment arrived in the ninth with runners on the corners, he found the swing he had been looking for all week. Seattle walked it off, 2-1.
Final Word for the Yankees
The first loss was always coming. The Yankees face Seattle again on Tuesday night.
Volpe is advancing toward live pitching. Rodon could be on a rehab assignment by the weekend. Cole is building up behind him.
3-1 to start the year.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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