A routine pregame moment turned into a surprising scare for a New York Yankees pitcher during spring training in Florida.
Young Yankees starter Cam Schlittler reportedly called for security assistance after discovering an unexpected guest waiting inside his locker before a preseason matchup against the Detroit Tigers. The incident took place at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, where the Yankees were preparing for another exhibition game as part of their spring schedule.
According to YES Network reporter Meredith Marakovits, Schlittler opened his locker expecting the usual equipment and gear he would need for the day. Instead, he was greeted by a spider hiding inside. The sight of the eight-legged visitor proved unsettling enough that the pitcher decided not to handle the situation himself.
Rather than attempting to remove the spider, Schlittler reportedly contacted stadium security to deal with the unwelcome intruder. Security personnel eventually removed the creature, allowing the pitcher to return his attention to preparing for the game.
The exact species of spider wasn’t identified, but Florida is home to several common varieties. According to the University of Florida, species frequently seen in the region include orb-weavers, wolf spiders, green lynx spiders, and widow spiders.
Most are harmless to humans, but encountering one unexpectedly in a locker room is enough to rattle even professional athletes.
Schlittler building momentum
Despite the unusual clubhouse moment, Schlittler‘s performance on the field has been far more composed. The 25-year-old right-hander has enjoyed an impressive run during spring training as he continues to establish himself as a promising pitcher for the New York Yankees.
Earlier in camp, Schlittler briefly dealt with back inflammation that limited his throwing schedule. However, since returning to full activity, he has looked sharp on the mound. In just six innings pitched during spring games, he has already recorded 10 strikeouts while allowing only one run and one walk.
Those numbers build on the encouraging start he made during his rookie season. Schlittler made his major league debut on July 9 and quickly proved capable of competing against top hitters. Over 14 starts, he finished with a 4-3 record and an impressive 2.96 ERA while striking out 84 batters across 73 innings.
One of his biggest strengths is his powerful fastball, which averaged around 98 miles per hour during his first season in the majors. The pitch has allowed him to challenge hitters aggressively and rack up strikeouts.
Schlittler has also made it clear he hopes his future remains firmly tied to the Yankees organization. The young pitcher has spoken openly about his love for the franchise and his desire to spend his entire career in the Bronx if possible.
While the spider encounter provided a brief and unusual distraction, Schlittler‘s focus remains on continuing his development and securing a larger role in the Yankees’ pitching plans for the upcoming season.
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