The unnamed 16-year-old rookie will have a chance to play tonight at George M. Steinbrenner Field due to last night's appeal by the New York Yankees.
The Yankees claimed it was unfair for him not to be involved in any spring training games. The league will allow the Canadian rookie to participate in two spring training games. Tonight he will start on the bench, but most likely will be placed into the lineup mid-game. He will wear No. 21 but his name will not be announced on the PA system due to MLB conditions.
After practice last night, the teen was seen walking favoring his right elbow, an elbow which he's had some troubles with in the past. Team officials noticed it and checked it out. Last night's frenzy included 12 team doctors and four officials who monitored his elbow and began to treat it. He received two cortisone shots which relieved the pain tremendously.
Four doctors monitored him during his sleep and woke him up every two hours to have a "throwing session," which kept his elbow loose. This morning at around 8 a.m. he came to start and was throwing normally. He took batting practice and was hitting the ball remarkably well.
"Last night he had some tremors in his elbow, and we could tell there was a lot of pain there," Manager Joe Girardi said. "He is a lot better this morning. He might even get an at-bat in tonight's game. The swelling has definitely decreased and I think he's ready to play. I really think our doctors did a incredible job."
The league has noted that the rookie's at bats will be televised but his name will not be announced.
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