TAMPA -- It was the first day on a new job Thursday for infielder Brandon Drury, who was dealt from the Arizona Diamondback to the Yankees on Tuesday night in a three-team trade.
Before even getting a locker in the home clubhouse at Steinbrenner Field, Drury was sent out to Field 2 at 9 a.m., along with infielder Ronald Torreyes and outfielder Aaron Hicks to face five pitchers in short simulated games: Jonathan Loaisiga, Brian Keller, Luis Severino, CC Sabathia and Tommy Kahnle.
Drury, 25, is expected to take over as the starter at third base, a position that was open at the start of spring training due to Chase Headley being traded to the San Diego Padres in an offseason salary-dump trade and Todd Frazier signing with the Mets as a free agent.