The Roden family flew in from Wisconsin to watch the outfielder’s MLB debut and record his first hit with the Blue Jays. “It lifted my heart.”

Alan Roden streaked toward centre field from his spot in left, tracking a fly ball off the bat of Baltimore Orioles' designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn.

Roden went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's loss to the Orioles.

Wilyer Abreu was up against the clock in Spring Training, trying to prove his readiness for Opening Day after missing several weeks with a gastrointestinal virus.

Devin Williams was one more poor pitch from coming out of the game or blowing his first save opportunity and ruining an otherwise outstanding Opening Day for the Yankees. In the end, however, Williams found a way to avoid disaster and get the job done.

We have questions,” the Yankees’ skipper said of his banged-up roster, “but we think we have answers too.”One of those questions, even before the wave of injuries, was how the Yankees would handle the leadoff spot.