Yankees Insider: John Ryan Murphy catching on with Twins

Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports

John Ryan Murphy is fitting in with his new ballclub in Minnesota.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — John Ryan Murphy admitted he was surprised by last November’s trade to the Twins, but it didn’t take long before the young catcher recognized that it may have been the best thing for his career. Murphy is unlikely to be the Opening Day starter behind the plate, an honor that should go to incumbent Kurt Suzuki, but the 24-year-old figures to see plenty of playing time this season, paving the way for him to take over as the full-time starter before too long.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen,” said Murphy, who was sent to the Twins for outfielder Aaron Hicks during the offseason. “Once I put that in perspective, I got more and more excited as spring approached.”

Drafted by the Yankees in the second round of the 2009 draft, Murphy got small tastes of the big-leagues in 2013 and 2014 before earning the job as Brian McCann’s backup last season. He will forever be the answer to the trivia question: Who was the final catcher to catch Mariano Rivera?

Despite playing his entire career in the Yankees organization, it didn’t take long for Murphy to find a comfort zone with the Twins, where he was reunited with former teammates Phil Hughes and Eduardo Nunez.

“Everything is brand new,” Murphy said. “The guys are great, I’m adjusting well and it feels like home. Guys have been very welcoming.”

SORE SPOT

Jacoby Ellsbury’s bruised right wrist was “sore” according to Joe Girardi, and while the manager didn’t seem all too concerned about the injury, he said Ellsbury is unlikely to play until Thursday thanks to the Yankees’ upcoming schedule.

Baseball – NY Daily News

Related Posts

• John Molina shows he still has life in shocking Provodnikov
• SEE IT: Devils prospect John Quenneville scores insane goal
• Cal pitcher Ryan Mason makes incredible throw into falling tube