The New York Yankees are still working out the final spots for their starting pitching rotation. The team's game against the Philadelphia Phillies will be another matchup where a young pitcher stats their case for a shot at the final spot David Phelps will get the nod on the mound Tuesday in hopes of being penciled in as the final pitcher in the rotation.
CC Sabathia has already been named the team's Opening Day starter. Kiroki Juroda will follow along with Ivan Nova. That leaves Masahiro Tanaka making his major league debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees have been impressed by what Tanaka has shown so far in spring training and feel confident in the Japanese pitcher's experience despite his lack of experience.
Tanaka was the team's big offseason signing. He earned a seven-year, $155 million contract despite not having thrown a pitch in the major leagues. So far this spring training he has posted a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings. Tanaka will be eased into the rotation as the No. 4 guy in the rotation. That leaves the fifth spot up for grabs. It is assumed Michael Pineda will get the nod, but Phelps remains in the mix, making this spring training start very important.
The Philadelphia Phillies have their own pitching rotation to worry about. Jeff Manship will take the mound Tuesday in hopes of earning a spot on the final Opening Day roster. Cole Hamels has already been named the opening day starter for the team, but Manship is needed for depth if he can prove himself worthy of the role. If Manship pitches well, he could earn a spot in the pen as the Phillies rotation is pretty much set.
Philadelphia helped their rotation by signing AJ Burnett, completing the one-two-three punch of Hamels and Cliff Lee. Kyle Kendrick will take over the fourth spot while Roberto Hernandez will likely round out the rotation after signing from the Tampa Bay Rays.
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