TAMPA, Fla. — Former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who died last July at age 80, was honored before New York’s spring training home opener.
A ceremony before Saturday’s game against Philadelphia included Steinbrenner’s wife Joan and the couple’s two daughters — Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal and Jessica Steinbrenner — placing roses on the interlocking N.Y. logo behind home plate.
Steinbrenner’s granddaughter, Haley Swindal, sang the national anthem.
Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner also took part. Co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner, George’s oldest son, is under the weather and missed the event.
“To be surrounded by so many friends, loved ones and Yankee fans as we ring in the new season makes today a very special day for our family,” the Steinbrenner family said in a statement.
Wang making progress
VIERA, Fla. — Chien-Ming Wang will make his spring training debut Friday at the Nationals’ minor-league complex.
He threw live batting practice Saturday and looked much stronger than when he first showed up for workouts.
“Today, I feel very good,” Wang said. “Everything was smooth. Each time, (I feel) better and better.”
Volquez to miss opener
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Pitcher Edinson Volquez will miss the Reds’ spring training opener today because of visa problems.
Footnotes.
An MRI showed no structural damage to Royals pitcher Henry Barrera’s sore right elbow.
• The Indians are close to signing free-agent reliever Chad Durbin to a one-year contract.
• Rangers pitcher Brandon Webb is scheduled to pitch off a mound today.
• Orioles infielder Brian Roberts is back with the team after missing three days with a stiff neck.
