Jay Bruce Continues To Make Play for Opening Day Spot With Yankees

Jay Bruce continues to compete for a spot on the Yankees' Opening Day roster.

The New York Yankees signed free agent RF Jay Bruce to a minor league contract in February and invited him to spring training.

The 33-year-old sent his second home run of the spring to deep leftfield on Tuesday, making his case for an Opening Day spot.

Bruce took a changeup from Spencer Turnball and drove it over the wall in leftfield for a home run in the second inning, scoring Gleyber Torres and giving the Yanks a 2-0 lead.

Since Bruce spent much of 2020 on the injured list, health is a concern going into the 2021 season. Bruce appeared in 32 games last year and 98 in 2019, but he still showed plenty of impact in that 2019 season, contributing 26 home runs.

He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds as the No. 12 pick overall in the first round of the 2005 MLB Draft.

His lefty bat could also offer some balance in the Yankees' righty-dominant lineup, WFan Sports Radio reports.

Courtesy of MLB.com.

In 11 at-bats this spring season, Bruce has contributed two home runs, three RBI, and five hits.