Spring training in Tampa served up the usual mix: early work on the field, small but telling moments, and a reminder that baseball’s past and present keep colliding in camp.
What happened in Tampa – Cody bellinger made a quietly encouraging first spring appearance, collecting two singles. Neither swing relied on brute power — both showed contact, placement and a willingness to use his legs, including an infield knock that came more from speed than force. – The automated ball-strike (ABS) system made its presence felt when Trent Grisham unsuccessfully challenged a called strike in the bottom of the first. It’s another example of how players and coaches are still adapting to replay and automated calls in real time.
A legend drops by Yankees favorite Bucky Dent returned to camp as a guest instructor, spending time with several players. He had a long conversation with Anthony Volpe and led a session with Jazz Chisholm Jr, focusing on situational awareness, preparation and clubhouse habits. Manager Aaron Boone praised the visit — veterans’ perspectives, he said, provide lessons that go beyond drills and box scores.
Next up: Bradenton The team heads to Bradenton for a 1 p.m. ET Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough is scheduled for the start as the club ramps up his workload; regulars such as Ben Rice are expected to get reps as New York balances evaluation with building innings.
How to watch Yankees spring training Broadcast coverage for the Grapefruit League is split between the YES Network and the Gotham Sports App.
- – YES Network will televise 12 games.
- Gotham Sports App has exclusive streaming rights to 14 games.
- Every YES telecast is also available on the Gotham Sports App, so app subscribers can watch all 26 broadcasted exhibitions.
- A handful of games currently have no announced TV or streaming partner.
Notable early matchups – Season opener: Feb. 20 in Sarasota vs. Baltimore — streamed only on the Gotham Sports App (Elmer Rodriguez slated to start). – Home opener: Feb. 21 at George M. Steinbrenner Field vs. Detroit — aired on YES (Carlos Lagrange penciled in). – Local Subway Series: Feb. 22 in Tampa vs. the Mets; the return is March 8 in Port St. Lucie. – World Baseball Classic exhibition: March 3 vs. Team Panama.
Games currently without confirmed broadcast coverage include: – March 7 at West Palm Beach (vs. Nationals) – March 8 at Port St. Lucie (vs. Mets) – March 12 at Lakeland (vs. Tigers) – March 23 and March 24 in Mesa, AZ (exhibitions vs. Cubs)
Schedule notes and travel Grapefruit League play wraps March 22 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. The team then heads to Mesa for two exhibitions before flying west for the March 25 standalone Opening Night in San Francisco. Regular-season home opener in the Bronx is April 3 vs. the Miami Marlins.
Fan tips: what to do before you go – Verify the broadcast: check the daily listings — some games stream only on Gotham, some air on YES, and a few may be radio-only or untelevised. – Expect roster churn during the World Baseball Classic window; follow official team channels for the latest departure and lineup news. – Subscribe to alerts and follow the Yankees’ verified social accounts for last-minute schedule and broadcast changes. – If you’re attending games in person, allow extra time for entry and transportation; for remote viewing, confirm app access and any blackout restrictions ahead of time.
What to expect next Spring training’s point is plain: preparation, evaluation and a little mentorship. Keep an eye on performance rhythms — like Bellinger’s contact-first approach — and on how new rules, such as ABS, shape game decisions. More details about final game-day operations and media coverage will be posted through team communications as they’re finalized.