Schedule
Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa, 33614
Tickets: Toll-free 1-800-745-3000, yankees.com
All games at 1:05 p.m. unless noted.
FEBRUARY
23: at Braves
24: Blue Jays (ss)
25: at Orioles (ss)
26: at Phillies
27: Orioles
28: (ss) at Astros; Blue Jays
MARCH
1: Phillies
2: Tigers (ss)
3: at Red Sox, 1:35
5: Braves, 7:05
6: Dominican Republic
7: at Cardinals
8: at Marlins
9: Braves
10: at Blue Jays
11: Cardinals
12: at Rays
13: Phillies, 7:05
14: at Blue Jays
15: Marlins
16: (ss) Phillies; at Braves, 5:05
17: at Pirates
19: at Phillies
20: Red Sox
21: Twins, 7:05
22: at Twins
23: at Tigers
24: Rays
26: Astros, 7:05
27: at Orioles, 7:05
28: Pirates
Schedule
Bright House Field, 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater, 33765
Tickets: (727) 467-4457, phillies.com
All games at 1:05 p.m. unless noted.
FEBRUARY
23: Astros
24: at Tigers
25: Tigers
26: Yankees
27: at Twins
28: Braves
MARCH
1: at Yankees
2: at Blue Jays
3: (ss) Blue Jays; at Orioles (ss)
4: at Pirates
5: Dominican Republic
6: Nationals
7: Twins (ss)
8: at Rays
9: Rays
10: at Astros
12: Tigers
13: at Yankees, 7:05
14: Pirates
15: at Rays
16: at Yankees (ss)
17: Orioles (ss)
18: at Braves
19: Yankees
21: at Red Sox, 7:05
22: Braves
23: at Orioles
24: Red Sox
25: at Blue Jays
26: Rays
27: at Tigers
28: Blue Jays
29: Blue Jays, 7:05 (at Philadelphia)
30: Blue Jays (at Philadelphia)
Schedule
Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 34698
Tickets: (727) 733-0429, bluejays.com
All games at 1:05 p.m. unless noted.
FEBRUARY
23: at Tigers
24: (ss) Orioles; at Yankees
25: Red Sox (ss)
26: Twins
27: Astros
28: at Yankees (ss)
MARCH
1: Rays
2: Phillies
3: at Phillies (ss)
5: Orioles
6: at Tigers
7: at Orioles
8: at Braves (ss)
9: Tigers
10: Yankees
12: at Red Sox, 1:35
13: at Pirates
14: Yankees
15: at Tigers
16: Orioles
17: at Astros
19: Astros
20: at Orioles
21: at Rays
22: Red Sox
23: Braves (ss)
24: at Twins
25: Phillies
26: Pirates
27: at Rays
28: at Phillies
29: Phillies (at Philadelphia), 7:05
30: Phillies (at Philadelphia)
New York Yankees
Lining up
Key additions: 3B Kevin Youkilis, DH Travis Hafner, OF/1B Matt Diaz
Key losses: RHP Rafael Soriano, C Russell Martin, DH/OF Raul Ibanez
Spring story lines
On the mend: SS Derek Jeter, coming off a broken left ankle sustained in the playoffs, insists he will be ready by opening day. But the Yankees will keep a close eye on their 38-year-old captain, who is a key cog atop their lineup. Ageless closer Mariano Rivera, 43, in what could be his final season, expects to bounce back after missing most of last year with a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee. With RHP Rafael Soriano leaving for an even bigger payday with the Nationals, Rivera needs to be strong.
Lightning rod: 3B Alex Rodriguez likely won't play until after the All-Star break due to a surgically repaired left hip and might not even show up at Steinbrenner Field as he rehabs in New York. But Rodriguez still will be a hot topic — and potential distraction — thanks to his latest scandal. Last month's Miami New Times story linked him and other major-leaguers to Biogenesis, a Miami clinic under investigation for selling performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez has denied being a client, but any news stemming from MLB's investigation could bring him back to the forefront.
Catching on: Other than toying with the idea of moving CF Curtis Granderson to left and Brett Gardner to center, the Yankees' main position battle is behind the plate. With veteran Russell Martin now playing for the Pirates, Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart and, potentially, Austin Romine will fight it out to replace him. Cervelli and Stewart have more big-league experience and are the front-runners. But Romine, who missed most of last season due to a back injury, could be a dark horse.
Philadelphia Phillies
Lining up
Key additions: 3B Michael Young, OF Delmon Young, CF Ben Revere, RHP Mike Adams, LHP John Lannan
Key losses: 3B Placido Polanco, OF Juan Pierre, INF Ty Wigginton
Spring story lines:
What's up Doc? RHP Roy Halladay had a rare off year last season (11-8, 4.49 ERA), which included shoulder and back issues. Halladay, 35, known for his consistency and work ethic, revamped his offseason training program. The Phillies are confident he can return to form. If so, he gives the Phillies one of the majors' top rotations with LHP Cole Hamels and LHP Cliff Lee.
Chasing Utley: 2B Chase Utley hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game since 2010 and opened the past two seasons on the disabled list. But Utley, who has battled chronic knee problems, is expected to start in today's opener and believes he's ready to play a full season. The Phillies could use the five-time All-Star, but Utley has hit just .258 with 22 home runs combined the past two years (186 games).
Leaning left: The Phillies acquired Ben Revere from the Twins to play centerfield and signed former Ray Delmon Young to start in rightfield. But Young, the 2012 ALCS MVP for the Tigers, likely won't be ready to start the season due to right ankle surgery. John Mayberry, Darin Ruf and former Pasco High star Domonic Brown were expected to compete for two outfield spots. But if Young opens the season on the disabled list, all three could make the roster.
Toronto Blue Jays
Lining up
Key additions: RHP R.A. Dickey, LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Josh Johnson, SS Jose Reyes, OF Melky Cabrera, INF Emilio Bonifacio
Key losses: SS Yunel Escobar, 2B Kelly Johnson, RHP Jason Frasor
Spring story lines
HEAVY HITTER: The Blue Jays have embraced the sky-high expectations that have surrounded them since their major offseason makeover, which included a blockbuster trade with the Marlins. But while the rotation is reloaded and lineup bolstered, their most important player still is slugging RF Jose Bautista, who is coming off offseason wrist surgery. The home run champ in 2010 and 2011 says he's on track with his swing, but a good spring would make the Jays feel a lot better about their chances.
CLOSING TIME: RHP Casey Janssen, 31, is being treated as the incumbent closer, but he's still working his way back from right shoulder surgery. Janssen stepped in last season after RHP Sergio Santos had shoulder issues and RHP Francisco Cordero struggled and converted 22 of 25 saves (2.54 ERA). But if Janssen isn't ready, the Jays could lean on Santos, who was supposed to be their closer to start last season.
STEALING SECOND: With the exception of some bullpen spots, the only position up for grabs is second base, where Emilio Bonifacio and Maicer Izturis will battle throughout the spring. Izturis, 32, has more experience and entered camp as the favorite. But with Bonifacio, 27, acquired in the megatrade with the Marlins, boasting such versatility (having played all three outfield spots, second, short and third), he also could become a valuable utility player.
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