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ETOBICOKE, Ont. -- Frederik Gauthier is a big man, but he wont be throwing his weight around in the NHL right away. At 18 years old, the Toronto Maple Leafs consider the first-round pick very much a work in progress. Gauthier wont have the pressure on him to reach the NHL fast because the six-foot-five, 214-pound centre has plenty to work on, starting with his skating. "As he gets stronger, his skating will improve naturally," director of player development Jim Hughes said. "His explosion, his quickness, his power, his separation speed will all improve as he gets stronger. Even though hes big, hes still a boy, so give him two years and then hell have that power." Gauthier looks like a man among boys older than him this week at Leafs prospect camp. But the fact that Hughes expects the Gauthier to be back here in two years speaks to the gradual expectations the organization has for him. Hughes called Wednesdays scrimmage more good experience for Gauthier, whom the Leafs selected 21st over in last months draft. "Hes young. Hell come back here in two years and he will be like a man-child," Hughes said. "You can see the size of him and the girth. He plays the whole rink, he plays 200 feet. These are just baby steps for him." Any step Gauthier takes is a big one, though not necessarily because hes graceful at it. But he and the Leafs know improving skating is a top priority. Thats why skating consultant Barb Underhill worked with Gauthier, defenceman Morgan Rielly and centre Dominic Toninato before Wednesdays scrimmage. "We worked on things that will help my skating," Gauthier said. "Longer stride. Getting faster. I might see her again. I look forward to it." Gauthier should count on spending lots of time working on his skating, because the physical aspects of his game are there. Hes expected to return to Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL next season, where he had 22 goals and 38 assists in 62 games as a 17-year-old. As for what he feels he needs to improve on, Gauthier cited "simple plays." "Sometimes I make it too complicated," he said. "Just play my game. Get good intensity." The Leafs will give Gauthier some breathing room to polish his game. Hughes expects a "natural progression" with skating, just as he has seen with prospects Josh Leivo and Greg McKegg after working with Underhill. "If youre a good skater, Barb can make you a better skater," Hughes said. "She can dissect the weaknesses. She does it through video, they break the stride down. ... She works at the mechanics of the skating. Between the mechanics and then with the conditioning part of it, thats when we see the improvement kick in and take place." Note -- The Leafs signed forwards Joe Colborne and Troy Bodie to one-year deals. Discount Air Max 97 . 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The Yankees are three games behind Detroit for the second AL wild-card spot and also trail Baltimore, Houston and Seattle.Snell (6-8) gave up five hits and three walks. New York had scoring threats in four of five innings against him, leaving the bases loaded in the third when Chase Headley flied out. Headley returned to New Yorks lineup after missing three games because of back tightness.We had a couple innings set up but werent able to get a hit, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. I felt like we were going to break through if we can keep it close, but tonight we werent able to.Chase Whitley, in his third game since returning from Tommy John surgery, allowed two hits in 2 2/3 innings, and Alex Colome finished for his 35th save in 37 chances.The feel that he has for his off-speed right now says a lot about him because you just dont see that from guys coming back from an extensive rehab, Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Whitley.Brad Miller had an RBI single in the first after Logan Forsythe led off with a catchable popup to right field that Aaron Hicks allowed to drop in front of him for a hit. Girardi said Hicks lost sight of the ball off the bat.Corey Dickerson hit a solo homer in the sixth off Luis Cessa (4-3), who gave ttwo runs and six hits in six innings.ddddddddddddYankees rookie catcher Gary Sanchez threw out Kevin Kiermaier at second base in the third inning to end the speedsters run of 18 consecutive successful stolen bases attempts. Sanchez picked Curt Casali off second one inning later.Sanchez went 0 for 2 but walked twice.He can help you in so many ways, Girardi said.ROOKIES RITUALNew York rookies, including Sanchez, were given blue Yankees one-sie pajamas to wear for the flight from Florida to Toronto, where a four-game series with the Blue Jays starts Friday night. Teams through the majors have similar trips in September for rookies.TRAINERS ROOMYankees: RHP Masahiro Tanaka will miss his start Monday at Toronto due to a slight lower right forearm strain. ... 2B Starlin Castro (right hamstring) expects to be back soonRays: LHP Xavier Cedeno (neck) wont play again this season.INSTRUCTION TIMEYankees 1B Greg Bird (right labrum surgery) remains on target to take batting practice against pitchers at instructional league early next week. . Reggie Jackson and Alex Rodriguez are expected to spent time as instructors with the Yankees instructional league team.MOVING DAYYankees: Minor league LHP Phil Coke was traded to Pittsburgh for $1.Rays: INF Juniel Querecuto had his contract selected from Double-A Montgomery and started at third base in his big league debut.UP NEXTYankees: RHP Bryan Mitchell (1-1) will start against LHP Francisco Liriano (1-2) Friday night.Rays: RHP Chris Archer (8-18) will look to avoid a team-record 19th loss when he pitches against LHP Drew Pomeranz (2-5) and AL East-leading Boston on Friday night. ' ' '