Yankees’ Austin Wells belts first spring home run before WBC exit

Observations from the Yankees spring training on Saturday:

Wells to do

In his last game before leaving for the WBC, Austin Wells crushed his first home run of the spring, a no-doubter off Blue Jays minor league righty Nate Garkow.

Cruz under control

Fernando Cruz, also headed for the WBC, battled some command issues in his inning of relief, issuing a pair of walks that loaded the bases. But he got out of trouble unscathed with a double play.

Austin Wells round the bases after hitting a two-run homer in sixth inning of the Yankees' 5-1 spring training win over the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Feb. 28, 2026. — Austin Wells round the bases after hitting a two-run homer in sixth inning of the Yankees’ 5-1 spring training win over the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Feb. 28, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Caught my eye

Before Cruz escaped the jam, he tried to get a 1-1 pitch to Davis Schneider flipped from a ball to a strike via the ABS.

Just as Cruz started to tap his cap to signal a challenge, Wells tried to shake him off, knowing the pitch was well out of the strike zone. But the catcher was too late, as the Yankees lost a challenge.

Go beyond the box score with the Bombers

Thank you

Sunday’s schedule

Will Warren makes his second start of the spring when the Yankees visit the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.