TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez showing up for spring training will juice things up, and that’s what happened in Yankees land on Tuesday.
With A-Rod due to begin his part-time spring training instructor job, there was a lot more media on hand … about 40 reporters and cameramen along the first base line at Steinbrenner Field at one point plus a few dozen others in other parts of the spring complex.
A-Rod shows up: His 10 best quotes
As usual, A-Rod stole the show by just appearing … and then again later by breaking some news.
Here is the Yankees news of the day:
Yankees’ Matt Holliday hIts BP home run off scoreboard
1. A-Rod announced that he’s retired as a player. We all figured this was the case because there were no offseason rumors that he was thinking of making a comeback after being released by the Yankees last August, but now it’s official.
2. A-Rod only will be with the Yankees for six days this spring … three this week and three more in mid-March.
3. The Yankees will play a simulated game at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field, but won’t schedule any exhibitions before Friday’s Grapefruit League opener in Tampa against the Phillies.
4. Yankees No. 1 starter Masahiro Tanaka will make his spring debut next Tuesday in Tampa against Detroit, manager Joe Girardi loosely announced after being asked by the Japanese media. “I think he’s pitching Tuesday, but don’t hold me to it,” Girardi said.
A-Rod channels Jeter
5. Left-hander Richard Bleier was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash or a player to be named. Bleier had been designated for assignment on Feb. 16 when the Yankees needed a 40-man roster spot for slugging free agent acquisition Chris Carter.
6. Two Yankees pitching prospects have been shut down with injuries: Right-hander Ronald Herrera will be sidelined for two weeks with shoulder inflammation and left-hander James Reeves has a mild sprain in his elbow ligament and will be out 3-to-4 weeks. “We got the MRI results (Monday),” Girardi said. “They came in the night before and expressed they were having some discomfort.”
7. Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury became the last player to arrive for spring training when he showed up Tuesday and went through drills. His wife gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday. The Ellsburys now have two children, both daughters. “His wife Kelsey is great and the baby’s great, and physically he looks good,” Girardi said.
8. Left-hander Jon Niese threw a bullpen Tuesday, his first since signing a minor-league deal with the club on Sunday night. The former Mets starter will compete this spring for a spot in the Yankees’ bullpen.
Yankees’ Clint Frazier takes BP in spring training
Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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