MLB

Anthony Volpe belts first home run of spring for Yankees

Observations from the Yankees’ 12-0 spring training win over the Pirates on Wednesday.

First of all

Anthony Volpe swatted his first home run of the spring, an opposite-field shot off Pirates left-hander Marco Gonzales in the first inning.

Full relief

Six Yankees relievers — including projected bullpen members Victor Gonzalez, Clay Holmes, Ian Hamilton, Caleb Ferguson and Nick Burdi — combined to throw 5 ²/₃ scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and only allowing three base runners.

Anthony Volpe hit his first home run of the spring on Wednesday.
Anthony Volpe hit his first home run of the spring on Wednesday. Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Caught my eye

Luke Weaver, expected to make the roster either as a long man out of the bullpen or a potential fifth starter, turned in a sharp start of 3 ¹/₃ scoreless innings while building his pitch count up to 50.

The right-hander has spent the spring trying to get comfortable with his new delivery.

“I think tonight was a great example of feeling consistency with it,” Weaver said. “Feeling like there was less thinking mechanically and more just about pitching.”

Thursday’s Schedule

Nestor Cortes will make his final tuneup before starting on Opening Day as the Yankees face the Braves at 1:05 p.m. in North Port, Fla.