Two fairly big international signings get their first looks of the spring and in their stateside baseball careers this afternoon. The biggest being Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka who was one of the bigger stories of the offseason during the posting drama that unfolded. The other being Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez who the Phillies signed after months of medical drama played out. Both have been the subject of much discussion in their new clubs both good and bad. Today all that is put to rest and baseball fans get their first looks at them. Both are pitching in relief.
Starting for the Phillies is Dave Buchanan, the 24 year old right hander who is shooting up the depth charts as a reliable organizational arm. Buchanan was a workhorse between Reading and Lehigh Valley going 10-13 with a 4.40 ERA, 1.36 WHIP over 28 starts (169.2 innings) striking out 108 and walking 53. With Ethan Martin sidelined, Buchanan has a chance to get himself on the map this afternoon against the likes of Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki.
Starting for the Yankees is a very thinned out C.C. Sabathia looking to put a disappointing 2013 campaign behind him. Hiroki Kuroda is also slated to pitch this afternoon so the Yanks are displaying the top of their rotation for all this afternoon.
Game Notes:
- Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Masahiro Tanaka get their first licks on a major league field today.
- Bobby Abreu gets this first assignment in right field this afternoon with Marlon Byrd handing designated hitter duties.
- Cameron Rupp is behind the dish.
- Cesar Hernandez mans second base and Darin Ruf will be at first.
LINE UPS
PHILLIES
Ben Revere 8
Jimmy Rollins 6
Domonic Brown 7
Marlon Byrd DH
Bobby Abreu 9
Darin Ruf 3
Cody Asche 5
Cameron Rupp 2
Cesar Hernandez 4
Dave Buchanan SP
YANKEES
Brett Gardner 7
Derek Jeter 6
Brian McCann DH
Brian Roberts 4
Francisco Cervelli 2
Kelly Johnson 5
Ichiro Suzuki 9
Corban Joseph 3
Mason Williams 8
CC Sabathia SP
First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Florida
Weather: 69° – Sunny – 0% Precip
TV: MLB Network
Greg Vince is a writer for Philliedelphia.com.
