Yankees' Spring Focus: Max Fried's Progress and Jasson Dominguez's Rise
The Yankees might have fallen 6-4 to the Phillies on Saturday, but in the world of spring training, the scoreboard often takes a backseat. The real headline at George Steinbrenner Field was Max Fried’s performance on the mound.
With the Yankees holding a 13-8 spring record, all eyes are on Fried as he gears up for the regular season. The lefty cruised through 5.1 innings, reaching a 75-pitch count that suggests he's right on schedule. Despite allowing three earned runs on five hits, Fried didn’t issue any walks and struck out four, showcasing the pinpoint accuracy that made him a standout in his first season with the Yankees.
Only one of those hits went for extra bases, indicating Fried was keeping hitters off balance and inducing weak contact. It was a solid outing that emphasized health over results, setting him up for one more start before the season opener in San Francisco on March 25. With Gerrit Cole still finding his rhythm, Fried is expected to lead the rotation, and he looks more than ready for the challenge.
Jasson Dominguez: The Martian's Meteoric Spring
While the rest of the Yankees' lineup struggled to find their groove, Jasson Dominguez was in a league of his own. The Martian went 2-for-2, driving in a run, scoring, and swiping a base, embodying his impressive spring performance. With an OPS of 1.081, Dominguez is signaling he's more than prepared for the big leagues, even if there's no immediate spot for him in the outfield.
Other bright spots included Braden Shewmake’s home run and Cody Bellinger’s triple, with Ben Rice and Paul DeJong adding doubles. However, the lineup couldn’t maintain consistent pressure, leading to a quiet day for most of the starters.
Bullpen Highlights and Upcoming Doubleheader
The bullpen offered a mixed bag. Jake Bird was sharp, breezing through 1.1 innings with two strikeouts, looking ready for Opening Day. Conversely, Angel Chivilli showed promise with six swings and misses but allowed two runs, a reminder that converting those misses into outs is crucial.
As the weekend wraps up, the Yankees will split their squad for a Sunday doubleheader. They'll face the Tigers at 1:05 pm and the Orioles at 6:05 pm ET, providing bubble players a final opportunity to impress before roster decisions are made.