MLB: Spring Training-New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) looks on against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. (Kim Klement | USA TODAY Sports)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankee Stadium may soon ban smokeless tobacco and the baseball team that plays there is preparing its players for it.

Inside the Yankees clubhouse on Wednesday was a sign that read:

"Anyone Wanting Nicotine Replacement Therapy Supplies (Gum, Lozenges, or Patches) - To Kick The Habit - Please See Steve Donohue"

(Donohue is the Yankees trainer.)

If Yankee Stadium bans smokeless tobacco it will become the fourth major league park to do so, following AT&T Park in San Francisco, Fenway Park in Boston, and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Manager Joe Girardi said he supports the changes.

"I mean it's not healthy; it's dangerous," Girardi said. "I wouldn't recommend it."

Girardi said a recent memo from Major League Baseball prompted the clubhouse sign. Fewer players, Girardi said, probably use tobacco now than when he played (1989-'03). There are Yankees who use smokeless tobacco, but it's unclear how prevalent it is in their locker room.

"They're giving player a healthy alternative, which I think is a good thing," he said. "There's a lot of things that are dangerous in our world that aren't outlawed...But I would recommend our players not do it."

A year ago, ex-big league pitcher Curt Schilling wrote a story on Derek Jeter's "Players' Tribune" website telling his younger self not to use tobacco early in his career.

It's a habit, Schilling wrote, that led to his mouth cancer.

"Your dad is going to die in five years," Schilling wrote. "You know what's going to kill him? A heart attack brought on by heart disease and lung cancer caused by tobacco use. He'll die right in front of you. You two will be alone and together for his final minutes on earth."

Ryan Hatch may be reached at rhatch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanhatch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.