TAMPA, Fla. -- The New York Yankees will carry 16 pitchers and three bench players on their Opening Day roster Thursday against the Boston Red Sox, according to manager Aaron Boone.
Switch-hitting utilityman Marwin Gonzalez will play a key role off the shortened bench.
"Marwin's versatility gives up pretty good coverage everywhere," Boone said before an exhibition Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. "Just early on, got to make sure we protect and build up the arms properly. We'll make it work, and if we have to change on the fly a little bit, we'll do that.