Aaron Boone announces that closer Aroldis Chapman tested positive for COVID-19; has mild symptoms. Boone: "(Zack Britton) naturally could fill the (closer) role; Britt would be a natural guy (to close games) if Chappy is not able to go."
Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo announced Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is going to be playing a lot of first base this year.
The Boston Red Sox announced that they will host a pair of exhibition games against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22.
Hello gorgeous.
When asked about whether pitchers are ahead of the hitters right now, Mike Tauchman said: "Gerrit Cole is ahead of everybody!"
VIDEO: I asked Zack Britton about the idea of piping in crowd noise this season; count the Yankees on the list of the teams considering it. I've talked to a lot of players in different teams about it, and most of them have said it would probably be a good idea.
VIDEO: Manager Aaron Boone says the Yankees did not discourage Aaron Judge from talking about racial issues.
Yankees vs. Bombers instraquad lineups
MLB released the 2021 schedule... Here's the Yankees schedule, who play the Mets both on the 4th of July and on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11.
Fans will be able to watch the Cubs from the rooftops across the street.
VIDEO: Aaron Judge taking BP today (via Yankees)
Miguel Andújar and Amed Rosario worked out with Carlos Santana while they were in Tampa. Santana told me he was very impressed with the talent and smarts of both players, who he thinks are well suited to handle the New York stage. Santana also praised Andújar while he took BP, saying he has "impressive."
Jordan Montgomery and Deivi García are scheduled to be the starting pitchers for the Yankees sim game tomorrow night, a 6:00pm ET start.
First look at Masahiro Tanaka since he was hit by a 112mph Giancarlo Stanton line drive on the right side of the head on Saturday. Masa was diagnosed with a mild concussion and has been doing well. (Picture via New York Yankees)
Jonathan Loaisiga has completed intake testing; participated in his first “summer camp” workout at Yankee Stadium today. (Picture via New York Yankees)
ESPN has learned that during MLB's 8 days of intake testing, 3,740 saliva tests were completed, with 66 positive results (1.8%) 58 players, 8 staff. In the first batch of the next round of testing, called “monitoring,” 2,111 tests were completed, 10 positives (0.5%) 8 players, 2 staff; the monitoring round started after the completion of intake testing,
Jonathan Loaisiga is the only Yankee to not have finished the intake protocol, besides the two Yankees that tested positive for COVID-19. He arrived from Nicaragua yesterday.
I spoke to pitcher Luis Cessa, who the Yankees announced tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolating at home. Cessa told me he is now symptom-free: "I feel really good. I'm just here at home, awaiting the negative results of my latest test. It's been a little frustrating not to be out there with my team, so I'm looking forward to rejoining them soon."
Watch Craig Kimbrel give up a single to Kris Bryant in an intra-squad game with the Cubs piping in some crowd noise.
Aaron Boone on the Yankees playing vs. Mets next year, on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 (in 2021): "I can't imagine how emotional and how powerful that event could be. Especially after all we have gone through this year, it's something that'll get the magic that it deserves."
Yankees announce they will play three exhibition games later this month: --Saturday, July 18 against the Mets at Citi Field (first pitch at 7:10 p.m.) --Sunday, July 19 vs. the Mets at Yankee Stadium (first pitch at 7:05 p.m.) --Monday, July 20 vs. the Phillies at Yankee Stadium (first pitch at 6:05 p.m.)
VIDEO: Here is Aaron Judge addressing the media for the first time since the middle of March; told us 'I'm game-ready."
Dodgers OF Mookie Betts acknowledged that not getting the service time and thus delaying his free agency played a part in his decision to play this season. But he isn't confident that MLB's health-and-safety protocol will allow him to play. "It's kind of tough to be confident in something that hasn't proved to be full proof," he said.
For the first time since the start of interleague play in 1997, the Yankees will face a National League team in a home opener, playing against former manager Joe Girardi and the Phillies.
The 2020 MLB schedule starts July 23 with a Yankees-Nationals matchup (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) followed by Giants-Dodgers (10 p.m. ET, ESPN). Opening Day for the rest of the league comes July 24, highlighted by Braves-Mets (4 ET, ESPN), Brewers-Cubs (7 ET, ESPN), Angels-A's (10 ET, ESPN) and the Rangers hosting the Rockies in the first game at Texas' new ballpark.
