TAMPA — The rap coming from the Yankees is there is a competition for right field and first base. The reality is Aaron Judge and Greg Bird, respectively, are prohibitive favorites to be regulars at those positions barring injury.
Nevertheless, there is a bona fide competition underway for manager Joe Girardi’s final two rotation spots after Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda, with five candidates for the two openings.
Bryan Mitchell, who had the club made last spring until a toe injury in the final week of the exhibition season required surgery, got the first shot Friday against the Phillies at George M.