Mar 2, 2019 2 min read

BRADENTON, Fla. – Danny Farquhar took the mound in a game again. That was more than enough on Saturday.

Farquhar’s spring training appearance for the New York Yankees was his first game since the 32-year-old reliever collapsed in the Chicago White Sox dugout on April 20 because of a ruptured aneurysm and brain hemorrhage. The right-hander got one out and was charged with five runs in an 8-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I felt great out there,” Farquhar said. “I was happy to be back on the mound. Obviously, the results weren’t great but I call it a good day. I felt like a baseball player, again.”

Farquhar allowed three hits and walked two while throwing 19 pitches in the fourth inning. He is in camp with the Yankees on a minor league deal.

“The fact that he’s on the mound and gotten to this point is pretty awesome,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I found myself a little more emotional than I even thought. Even though it didn’t go great, I think he really appreciated how special it was for him to be back out on a mound.”

Farquhar’s teammates moved to the top step of the third base dugout and clapped as he walked off the mound with his glove held in his right hand.

“I’ve never been high-fived so much giving up five runs in my career,” Farquhar said.

Farquhar’s wife, Lexie, and children Madison (7), Landon (3) and Liam (1) were among a dozen family members and friends at the game. Madison could be heard yelling “Daddy” from the stands.

“I heard them from the beginning,” Farquhar said. “My mom, my daughter. They were screaming.”

Corey Dickerson had a triple and a double, driving in two runs for Pittsburgh. Top prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes doubled and walked, scoring two runs. Jordan Lyles struggled in his second start for the Pirates, allowing three runs, seven hits and two walks in three innings.

Estevan Florial, New York’s top prospect, had two doubles, driving in a run and scoring another. Miguel Andujar had an RBI double and singled.