Live Updates: New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays — Spring Training Game 4

Author:
Max Goodman
Updated:
Mar 3, 2021 8:50 PM EST
Original:
Mar 3, 2021

TAMPA — The Yankees are back in action with their fourth game of spring training on Wednesday night, hosting the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Before we get to any sort of in-game action, or the starting lineups, the big news this evening is manager Aaron Boone's medical leave of absence as he undergoes surgery to get a pacemaker.

Boone is expected to get the surgery Wednesday evening and return to work in the next few days. General manager Brian Cashman spoke about the concern attached to any heart issues (Boone had open-heart surgery over a decade ago), but assured Boone would be in a good place after the procedure.

Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza will be managing the club on Wednesday night and take on Boone's responsibilities until the skipper returns.

MORE: Yankees' Manager Aaron Boone Needs Surgery, Will Take Immediate Medical Leave of Absence

Now, on to the starting lineups for Wednesday night's contest against the Jays under the lights...

New York Yankees

DJ LeMahieu 2B

Aaron Judge RF

Aaron Hicks CF

Giancarlo Stanton DH

Gleyber Torres SS

Brett Gardner LF

Gary Sánchez C

Jay Bruce 1B

Derek Dietrich 3B

Corey Kluber SP

This will be Kluber's first appearance in pinstripes against opposing hitters while Gardner and Stanton make their spring debut as well.

Toronto Blue Jays

Espinal SS

Hernandez DH

Tellez 1B

Jansen C

Panik 2B

Palacios RF

Warmoth LF

Smith 3B

Young CF

Woods Richardson SP

This is a different lineup than the Yankees saw in Game 1 of Grapefruit League play a few days ago. New York won't have to face the likes of Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavin Biggio, Marcus Semien, George Springer and others.

As we get closer to first pitch here in Tampa, here's some related reading from Yankees camp:

Check back in right here at Inside The Pinstripes for live updates once this game gets underway! Again, we realize this game isn't on live television, so we'll be posting as much video as possible. Be sure to follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman) for more content.

LIVE UPDATES

First inning

Corey Kluber was magnificent in his first inning in pinstripes. Kluber retires the first three hitters he faced in order, ending the frame with a pretty strikeout of Rowdy Tellez.

In the bottom half, Aaron Judge nearly snuck one over the right field wall, but Josh Palacios made a jumping grab to rob him of a hit.

Second inning

Corey Kluber looks really good, folks. He strikes out two more Blue Jays to finish off two perfect frames. Check out this off-speed pitch to strike out Palacios...

Another Yankee gets robbed of a base hit. Chavez Young lays out to steal a double away from Gary Sánchez.

Third inning

Adam Warren is on the mound which means Corey Kluber's night is over. He threw two perfect innings with three strikeouts. Can't ask for much more in his pinstripe debut.

Fifth inning

A handful of Yankees starters have been taken out of the game and we're still tied at 0-0. Each club has one hit.

Finally, the Yankees get on the board. Gary Sánchez launches his second home run of the spring, this time going to the opposite field. Then, after a double off the center-field wall from Jay Bruce, Derek Dietrich homered to deep right.

Seventh inning

FINAL: Yankees 4, Blue Jays 1

Robinson Chirinos adds a solo home run to give the Yankees a 4-1 advantage. This game was supposed to be over after the top half, but it's spring training. Rules are meant to be broken!

New York has now won three games in a row and will look to make that a four-game winning streak Thursday afternoon in Clearwater. Thanks for following along!