Today is not just another Grapefruit League game. Staff ace Masahiro Tanaka is making his spring debut this afternoon, and he of course is coming off offseason surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow. The Yankees have been taking it slow with him so far in camp, but now it’s time for game action. Assuming all goes well, today’s start lines Tanaka up perfectly for Opening Day.
Tanaka’s outing — he’s probably scheduled for something like two innings or 30 pitches — is the headliner today but it’s not the only story. Gary Sanchez is in the starting lineup and that’s a big deal.