Nightly Links: Phelps, Mitchell, YES Network

• The Yankee bats came back to life today in their 8-5 win over the nationals. Michael Pineda got the start today and through 3.2 innings he gave up 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts. Though the rabble after the game was about his lack of velocity, the young righty impressed himself with his changeup. Bill Hall had a big game going 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. (Box Score)

• Freddy Garcia is optimistic about his contusion, calling it a bad bruise and hoping he’ll be back in a few days.

• Lots of starting pitchers are impressing this spring. Mike Axisa wrote about David Phelps today and The Greedy Pinstripes on D.J. Mitchell (who broke out a new cutter yesterday).

• The Blue Jays are starting to creep up on the Yankees and Brian Cashman and Alex Rodriguez know it. While the Blue Jays have been very impressive in their improvements, I think the team is at least a year or two away from competing, and Anthopoulos and company are ready to spend to get there.

• USA Today has a great writeup on the history of the YES Network and an interview with president John Filippelli.

• And today’s workouts.

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