An sudden identify appeared within the Yankees’ lineup towards the Cardinals on Wednesday, as Austin Wells made his spring debut forward of schedule.
The catcher discovered himself batting fifth for the exhibition at George M. Steinbrenner Discipline. Wells’ inclusion within the order got here as a shock, as Aaron Boone had mentioned the 25-year-old wouldn’t play in spring video games till March 1, “give or take.”
Wells, in the meantime, had mentioned he wasn’t going to play in video games till “probably the week after they start.” The Yankees’ spring slate started on Feb. 21.
On Wednesday, Wells instructed the YES Community that he has been feeling good in reside batting follow and that he needed to catch the afternoon’s starter, Will Warren. Wells went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI, whereas Warren struck out 4 over three scoreless innings.
The Yankees had been taking issues straightforward with Wells following a heavy workload final season. A rookie in 2024, Wells performed in 115 video games and logged 872.1 innings throughout the common season. Then the Yankees’ marketing campaign prolonged to the World Sequence, creating a brief offseason.
Wells, who didn’t swing throughout the first a number of days of reside batting follow, has mentioned that he’s wholesome.
“It’s just how much [he] played down the stretch and having never been down the stretch,” Boone beforehand mentioned. “I’ve told him I want to slow-play it a little bit, so let’s move accordingly.”
Wells totaled 13 homers, 55 RBI and a .718 OPS final season earlier than ending third for Rookie of the Yr, an award that batterymate Luis Gil gained. Nevertheless, the backstop hit simply .111 in September earlier than batting .120 within the playoffs.
Boone has famous that Wells was a bit banged up on the finish of final season — most catchers are at that time — and questioned if some fatigue contributed to his struggles.
Wells, nevertheless, has shied away from such reasoning.
“Definitely wasn’t happy with how it ended for me,” he mentioned. “But I don’t know any better to say that it was a fatigue thing or not. So I’m gonna go with no. I’m just gonna go with it was just part of the year, but I’m definitely feeling good and ready to roll.”
NOLAN ARENADO MAKES THE TRIP
Veterans typically skip street journeys — particularly lengthy ones — throughout spring coaching, however the Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado ventured from Jupiter to Tampa previous to Wednesday’s recreation.
No, it wasn’t as a result of the third baseman was seeking to audition for the Yankees, nor was it as a result of the Cardinals needed to dangle to commerce candidate in entrance of the Bombers. As a substitute, the St. Louis Publish-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold reported that Arenado made the journey Tuesday night time in order that he might spend the night with some pals, together with the Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu and Paul Goldschmidt. Arenado was teammates with LeMahieu in Colorado and with Goldschmidt in St. Louis.
Goold added that Arenado additionally needed to remain on his ramp-up schedule.
COLE’S DEBUT COMING UP
Gerrit Cole’s spring debut is arising, because the Yankees’ ace is scheduled to begin towards the Blue Jays on Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Discipline.
Cole just lately threw reside batting follow to a gaggle of Yankees hitters that included Aaron Choose. Visitor teacher Roger Clemens watched after sharing some mechanical recommendation with Cole.
“He really liked the foundation,” Cole mentioned. “I mean, it’s gotta get better, but it’s in a good spot.”
COUSINS SET TO THROW
Jake Cousins is about to begin throwing on Monday, in line with the New York Publish’s Greg Joyce. The appropriate-hander reported to camp with a forearm pressure and has been shut down for almost 5 weeks, however current imaging left the reliever inspired.
That mentioned, Cousins won’t be prepared for Opening Day, making a emptiness within the Yankees’ bullpen after the 30-year-old loved a breakout season in 2024.
