Roberts returns and Robertson is on his way back.
After a successful doubleheader sweep of the Cubs yesterday the Yankees travel to Tropicana Field for a four-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tonight's series opener features Rays ace David Price against CC Sabathia, who is paid to be the Yankees' ace but hasn't lived up to that billing of late.
#Yankees lineup vs. TB Ellsbury CF Jeter SS Beltran RF Soriano DH McCann C Solarte 3B Sizemore 1B Roberts 2B Ichiro LF Sabathia P
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 17, 2014Brett Gardner gets the night off with Jacoby Ellsbury sliding back into the leadoff spot. Scott Sizemore gets the start at first base while Kelly Johnson sits and Ichiro Suzuki takes Gardner's spot in left field. Brian Roberts' back must be feeling better, as he returns to the lineup for the first time in a few days to play second base.
As Jesse wrote earlier, Mark Teixeira could be activated as soon as Sunday after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain and more good news came along today in the form of David Robertson being on track for a return on Tuesday. The Yankees' closer pulled his groin in the second series of the season in Toronto, but should be able to return when he is eligible after getting into a minor league rehab game on Saturday.
If you want to read some more praise for Masahiro Tanaka and the amazing start he's gotten off to in his young MLB career, Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs had a very nice write up about the Yankee right-hander today. It's definitely worth checking out.
Tonight's game will be on YES and MLB.tv beginning at 7:10 pm.