Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011
DUNEDIN — Sometime this season, Derek Jeter will probably watch Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia smack a hit. At that moment, the Yankees shortstop might remember the encouragement he gave the rookie.
Arencibia, 25, worked out daily this winter at the same Tampa gym as Jeter. When he mentioned the American League East had a lot of tough pitchers, Jeter scoffed.
"They're going to make a mistake," Jeter told him. "They're great pitchers … but don't give them too much credit, either."
Arencibia said he will never forget that message. It rang true given his first experience in the majors. Aug. 7, Arencibia homered on the first pitch he saw. By the end of the day, he was the first player since 1900 with four hits and two homers in his debut.
The rest of the way he played sparingly while going 1-for-30 and spending time at Triple A. But he said he took good swings, worked solid at-bats and took mental notes for the future. The future is now, with John Buck off to the Marlins.
"He's done everything we've asked him to do," GM Alex Anthopoulos said. "Our staff believes in him wholeheartedly."
Yankees: Garcia ready
TAMPA — Yankees RHP Freddy Garcia is taking a new approach at spring training while trying to win one of two open rotation spots.
"I didn't really pitch good in the past," Garcia, 34, said Friday. "This year has to be different."
Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon and Sergio Mitre also are in the mix for the rotation behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes.
"I'm feeling 100 percent," said Garcia, who missed parts of three seasons due to arm injuries. "I know how to be more prepared and concentrate more."
Phillies: Focus on now
CLEARWATER — Ryan Howard hasn't seen a replay of the pitch he took that ended the National League Championship Series last year.
"It took me a little while to let it go. I had a sick feeling in my stomach," Howard said. "It stuck with me a little bit, but I tried to focus on this year."
Howard is coming off a down season for him. He hit .276 with 31 homers and 108 RBIs. He averaged 50 homers and 143 RBIs from 2006-09. But he missed three weeks last year with an ankle injury. "It's funny to me because everybody talks about my power numbers from last year and how, 'Oh, Ryan. Your power numbers were down,' " he said. "I think everybody forgot I was out for a month."