Deivi v Domingo. Bruce v Tauchy. Tyler v Thairo (v. World.) Two weeks to go...

On St. Patrick's Eve, ready for the home stretch of spring training, three roster battles have emerged on the Yankee Death Star. 

A fourth - Miguel Andujar v. the vagaries of fate - could be decided today with a medical ruling on his fragile wrist. (Either way, Miggy is probably Scranton-bound.) More issues will pop up: The Yankees have several key players known as much for injuries as talent. Between now and April 1, anything beyond a hangnail means lost regular season time. We should expect two, maybe three, roster-changing injuries. That's the reality here.

But let's look at the three competitions of today: 

Deivi Garcia v. Domingo German. 

German, 28, has now pitched 9 innings, given up 5 hits and no runs. He's struck out thirteen. Lights out. Obviously, he's the fave for fifth starter (maybe fourth?) But German is coming off a long, ugly suspension, with Gammonites circling overhead, their notebooks poised. Any misstep will draw blood. Garcia, 21, has thrown 8 innings, given up only 2 earned runs, struck out 10. Yeesh. Because of his age, Garcia probably goes to Scranton. Advantage: German.

Jay Bruce v. Mike Tauchman.

Yankees players have been talking up Bruce, who is 6-20 with 2 HRs and supposedly showing competence at 1B. At 33, he won't accept a bus ticket to Scranton. He'll sign elsewhere. Tauchman, 30, is 4-18 (.222) with a HR. Still, he's a solid fielding OF and base-stealer. (He has one of the team's 10 this spring.) If Tauchy gets hot, he can still make this team. (Mike Ford, though, looks in trouble.) For now: Advantage: Bruce.

Tyler Wade v. Thairo Estrada (and maybe Andrew Velazquez.)

Wade, 26, came to camp with an advantage; he's the fastest Yankee, he bats LH, and is reputed to be the best SS glove after Gleyber. But he hasn't hit: 3-17 (.176) with 9 strikeouts. Yeow. Unfortunately, Estrada, 25, has done worse:  2-15 (.133) - three strikeouts and an attempted steal.

That has cracked open the door for the switch-hitting Velazquez, 26, a Bronx native signed off the scrap heap. He's 4-10 with a SB. Not sure how minor league options line up: Wade and Estrada must be at their limits. Also, not sure how well Velazquez plays SS; he's listed as a 3B. 

If nobody steps up, Cashman will scour the waiver wires. Finally, here's a longshot: Former high draft pick Kyle Holder, 26, is a Rule 5 draftee battling to make the Reds. If he fails, (he's currently 2-15), he'll return to the Yankees. Holder is supposed to be one of the best fielding shortstops in the game. Don't know where or if he fits in. Dunno nuthin. Advantage: Chaos.

The juju gods will decide this in the way they always do, right around now. With injuries. Brace yourselves.