Gleyber greeted warmly by Yankees fans, knocks in 2 vs. ex-club

TAMPA, Fla. – Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres strode to the plate as the game’s leadoff batter Monday afternoon, and the long-time Yankee received a nice round of applause at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

“It feels good,” said Torres. “I was a little surprised by the fans. But they welcomed me really good – everybody there. So, it’s good.”

Torres grounded out in the first, then he pulled a two-run double off starter Will Warren in the third inning of Detroit’s 10-2 loss. The Yankees got first-inning solo homers by Austin Wells, Paul Goldschmidt and Trent Grisham off starter Kenta Maeda and never trailed.

“It was fun to see my ex-teammates,” said a smiling Torres, who went 1-for-3 and is batting .222 with a .959 OPS this spring. “I’ve got a really good relationship there.

“It’s good to get everything on time [on the double]. It’s pretty good, and with the young guys it’s going to be an amazing season. I told [manager] A.J. [Hinch] I want to get more games – at least three in a row – to get more ready.”

Torres was an American League All-Star in 2018 and ‘19 – his best season, with 38 homers and 90 RBIs. But he batted .257 with 15 homers and 63 RBIs and a career-high 136 strikeouts in 587 at-bats in 2024.

Torres ended up signing a one-year deal for $15 million with Detroit, and he has gone out of his way to discuss how happy he is in his new surroundings. Torres said he hasn’t spoken to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman or manager Aaron Boone since leaving.

Torres said teammates quickly teased him upon seeing photos of him growing a thick beard. Yankees players weren’t allowed facial hair for several decades before that rule changed for 2025.

Torres said, “A bunch of guys texted me, saying, ‘You look weird.’ But it’s in fun.” He noted shortstop Anthony Volpe, pitcher Clarke Schmidt and outfielder Aaron Judge as teammates who “liked to play around” on various topics.

Ex-Yankee Kahnle faces former team
Kahnle, a formidable part of the Yankees’ late-inning bullpen mix last season, made his spring debut for Detroit against his old team Monday. He was efficient with just 11 pitches (seven for strikes) in a 1-2-3 sixth inning with one strikeout.

“I debuted, and it might as well have been in my old stomping grounds,” said Kahnle. “I laughed – I thought it was fun. … I felt good. It’s been a while since I faced them, but it was cool.

“The command was there. I got a little amped up on some fastballs, which I ended up yanking and cutting, which tends to happen.”

Hinch said, “It’s good to see him with the energy in his body and getting after it on the mound.”

Hinch said the Tigers purposely scheduled Kahnle to begin pitching in the middle of the Grapefruit League season. Kahnle, who has spent six of his 10 seasons with the Yankees, appeared in 59 games last season, including the playoffs, and in 80 games in 2019.

“He’s been leaned on a lot over the years,” said Hinch. “The thought is to give him a slower Spring Training, but we’ve got to hit the ‘go’ button.”

Kahnle said this approach has “worked great,” adding that “it’s been smooth sailing” with his health. He said the Yankees and the Dodgers, where he spent the 2022 season, wanted him to pitch more in spring games to strengthen his arm, but Kahnle said that didn’t work.

Urquidy hopes to pitch for Tigers by late August
Jose Urquidy, who turns 30 on May 1, underwent Tommy John surgery last June. He’s currently throwing from flat ground, and he spoke with reporters Monday morning in Lakeland.

The Tigers on Saturday signed the former Astros right-hander to a one-year, $1 million contract with an incentive-laden $4 million club option for 2026.

“The process is day by day, week by week,” said Urquidy. “Everything depends on how I’m feeling. I hope to be throwing bullpens by late May and early June and face hitters after that. Then, hopefully, be in a real game in late August and all of September.”

Urquidy said he gave the Astros the option to sign him to a two-year contract or designate him for assignment, with the club choosing the latter. Urquidy was 27-16 with a 3.98 ERA in five seasons with the Astros

Urquidy got his jersey number 65 from Tigers pitcher Chase Lee. He said he bought Lee an iPad in exchange for it.