Joe Girardi announces early spring training rotation

Friday, Feb. 24 marks the first spring training game for the Yankees as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies at the newly renovated George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. As first reported by Erik Boland of Newsday Sports, manager Joe Girardi has named Bryan Mitchell as the starter for the spring opener. https://twitter.com/eboland11/status/834458301136064512 The 25-year-old righty seemed to have a rotation spot secured last spring, but a toe injury late in camp cost him the majority of his season. In only five starts in 2016, Mitchell went 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA. Now healthy, Mitchell is once again competing for a spot in the opening day rotation, along with Chad Green, Luis Cessa, Luis Severino and Adam Warren. Warren gets the start on Saturday, Severino goes on Sunday vs. the Blue Jays, Green on Monday vs. the Orioles, and Masahiro Tanaka and Cessa will both pitch on Tuesday in split squad action vs. the Tigers and Red Sox, respectively. Cessa will also get an inning of work in on Friday against Philly. Michael Pineda will likely make his first appearance of the spring next week, according to Billy Witz of the NY Times. Girardi hasn't announced when CC Sabathia will get his first start, as the 36-year-old is taking it slow after getting his knee cleaned out in the offseason. While there is currently no indication at this point whether or not the spring training pitching order has any bearing on their standing regarding their roles come Opening Day, Mitchell will get the first shot to state his case for the 2017 rotation.   Follow me on Twitter, @JaredSaul