By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The Yankees' quest for a 28th World Series Championship begins Wednesday when the Bronx Bombers take the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Veteran stars such as Captain Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira will be joined in the dugout for the first time by new players, including Curtis Granderson, Randy Winn and Nick Johnson.
Chad Gaudin will throw the first pitch for the Yankees, MLB.com reported last week. Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves, who are competing for a spot in the rotation will also pitch in the game.
Early reports from Florida have been positive. Mariano Riveria, who returns to the mound after turning 40 in November, looked as strong as ever, multiple reports said.
He threw well during his 21-pitch bullpen workout, MLB.com and the New York Times reported.
“I wasn’t wild,” Riveria said, according to MLB.com. “For the first one, I’ll take that.”
Meanwhile, notoriously wild pitcher A.J. Burnett is reportedly adding the changeup to his arsenal, MLB.com reported.
"All winter, I really harped on it," Burnett told MLB.com. "Watching CC [Sabathia] throw last year, being a power guy and how much he uses it, it just kind of opened my eyes a little bit. Why not work on something, you know?"
The 1:05 p.m. game will be shown on the YES network and MLB network.
Also in Florida, the Mets are focusing on their new season after last season’s dismal injury-plague disaster.
Shortstop Jose Reyes drove in two runs in his first hit in the Mets’ Grapefruit League opener against the Braves on Monday.
Reyes, who underwent surgery for his torn right hamstring tendon in October, reportedly appeared healthy. “It was fun,” Reyes said, according to the Daily News. “I just feel happy that I made it to third base with no problem.”
