TAMPA – Ben Rice is now experiencing what opposing pitchers probably thought about him last season: neck pain.
In the first few days of camp, the Yankees slugger has not yet joined his teammates to take the field as he is dealing with a minor neck problem after recently sleeping on it incorrectly, Rice said Saturday.
He has undergone treatment on his neck and hoped to be able to swing again in the coming days.
“I fall asleep in one position and wake up in another — something everyone has to deal with,” Rice said.
The neck problem didn’t stop Rice from attending Carlos Rodón’s bullpen session later Saturday morning as he continues to do his work behind the plate in addition to his duties as the Yankees’ regular first baseman this season.
Chase Hampton, who underwent Tommy John surgery last March, threw what he said was his eighth bullpen session on Saturday as he continues his rehabilitation from full UCL reconstruction.
Just two years removed from being one of the Yankees’ best pitchers, Hampton has thrown just 18 2/3 innings over the past two seasons due to elbow problems.
He doesn’t yet know when he’ll be able to return to action this season, but the right-hander indicated that his addition to the club’s 40-man roster this winter (to protect him from the Rule 5 draft) gave him some peace of mind that the Yankees still have him in their future plans.
“It took a lot of weight off my shoulders,” Hampton said. “It puts me in the perspective of, I have some time to get the hang of it and not have to worry about going out and performing so early. I feel like I’m in a really good place now to continue what I’m doing and get better every day.”
Will Warren and Ryan Yarbrough each threw two innings of live batting practice on Saturday afternoon.
Warren struck out both Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt, while Amed brought Rosario Yarbrough deep.
Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest also faced hitters and flashed some “electricity,” Aaron Boone said.
The rest of the Yankees position players (not participating in the WBC) will report to camp on Sunday. … Cam Schlittler continued to play catch while dealing with mid-back/left lat inflammation.
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