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Questions Continue to Surround the New York Yankees

Feb. 19, 2016 - Source: Brian Blanco/Getty Images North America

Feb. 19, 2016 – Source: Brian Blanco/Getty Images North America

Spring Training in Tampa, Florida is in full swing, and the questions continue to surround the New York Yankees.

How is ace Masahiro Tanaka? Is C.C. Sabathia ready to go? When will MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred make a decision on Aroldis Chapman?

Every day the same questions are asked to Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who has continued to stay persistent amidst all the Chapman suspension talk.

“I think there’s an expectation of conduct and how you’re supposed to handle situations that maybe in the court of law is different than the court of Major League Baseball’s opinion or the players’ association’s opinion or the public’s opinion,” Girardi told reporters at a press conference in Tampa. “I understand that. I think we have a responsibility as athletes on the way we present ourselves on and off the field, and I’m OK with that.”

Chapman has continued to be the talk of spring training, good and bad.

It has been reported that Manfred will make a decision on two of three domestic abuse cases in the near future. Other cases include Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig.

Chapman has stated that he plans to appeal any suspension.

Manfred is faced with a challenging task as he does not want to make the same mistakes NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made. Goodell was lenient on the punishments particularly to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. Following Goodell’s ruling, new video evidence of Rice assaulting his wife appeared.

Manfred does have to worry about new evidence appearing which is why these decisions are considered the toughest thus far in Manfred’s early career as commissioner.

As for Chapman, he has continued to workout and throw, most notably next to Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances on Saturday morning. The “Big 3” threw a bullpen simultaneously allowing Yankees fans and reporters alike see what the future eventually holds in the Bronx.

As for other Yankees news, Tanaka has continued to progress as scheduled after having elbow surgery in the offseason.

“I thought he looked where he’s supposed to be at right now,” Girardi told The Daily News. “He didn’t look behind to me. He threw all his pitches today. I felt good about it. He felt good about it, which is probably more important.”

“My body is feeling really good right now,” Tanaka said through an interpreter to The Daily News. “I have to take it day-by-day moving forward.”

Tanaka, as well as fellow pitchers Michael Pineda and Luis Severino are hoping to reach 200 innings in 2016.

Another major question mark in 2016 will be Sabathia, who is coming off a season in which he finished 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA and was admitted into an alcohol rehabilitation center. Sabathia is in competition with Ivan Nova for the final starting spot in the rotation.

“I got a little gassed at the end but that’s kind of normal,’’ Sabathia said told reporters after his first bullpen of the season.” “I pretty much have everything fine-tuned where it needs to be. I feel pretty comfortable with it. It doesn’t bother me the way it did before.’’

The Yankees will continue to monitor Sabathia as games approach, but the 35-year old looks to be in line for a comeback season.

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