Yankees have caught the injury bug

The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles played to a 6-6 tie this afternoon. The big news of the day though was that Nick Johnson fouled a ball off of his knee in the first inning. He is day to day and stated to the media that he will be playing on Sunday night. It isn't so much that he got hurt but the last couple of days they have had guys coming down with injuries. Alfredo Aceves who has been battling back issues stated today that he will also be ready for Sunday. He pitched one inning today in minor league camp and came out of it in good shape. Damaso Marte has had a sore shoulder. He thinks it is from the strenthening exercises he has been doing on his shoulder. He said this injury is nothing like last year and that he is confident he will be fine. Andy Pettitte started the game today and pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings giving up 7 hits. He walked one and also struck out a batter. Andy was happy with his start saying "I felt like my command could of been a little bit better with my fastball. Other then that I felt really good." He stated that he got tired at the end which he knew would happen. He said even though he threw 100 pitches in his simulated game it isn't the same as the real game, that you can't duplicate the adrenaline. He said the biggest need from this game was to build his stamina up and he was glad to be out there and accomplish that. Mariano Rivera pitched an inning giving up 2 hits and 3 runs but none of them were earned. He also had a walk, strikeout and hit a batter. He hasn't been feeling well the last couple of days but I wouldn't worry about him. Boone Logan pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit, he also had a strikeout. It looks like he will make the team as the second lefty if they go that way because there is no one else left on the roster. The Yankees sent Royce Ring down. Offensively Randy Winn was 2-5 with a rbi and Mark Teixeira continued his hot spring with a couple of hits. Nick Swisher hit a 2 run homerun and Robinson Cano had a hit and rbi. Alex Rodriguez had a hit and rbi also. The Yankees will take on minor league all stars tomorrow at 1:05PM at George M. Steinbrenner Field. A-rod confirmed a NY Daily News story that he did meet with the Feds on Thursday. He didn't offer any other details then to say read the story. I guess there is nothing else to worry about with that and he will start the season and hopefully have a great drama free season once again.

Yanks have Rough Day in Sarasota

The New York Yankees lost to the Baltimore Orioles today in Sarasota by the score of 8-0. The Yankees starter was Alfredo Aceves who had been pitching so well this spring. He had a very rough day, I wonder if he was affected at all by the news that Hughes won the 5th starter competition and he will compete now for a job in the bullpen. He pitched into the third inning but didn't record an out, he gave up 6 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks. Boone Logan gave up a run in 1 inning but 0 hits, walks or strikeouts. Sergio Mitre pitched well, he went 2 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 run with a walk. The run that scored was on a double play ball but second baseman Robinson Cano was going to cover second base and the ball got through for a RBI single. Chan Ho Park continues to impress with 2 scoreless innings. He gave up 2 hits and had 2 strikeouts. David Robertson finished out the pitching with a scoreless inning. He gave up a hit and walk and also had a strikeout. The offense didn't do much of anything, Randy Winn led the charge with 3 hits. Derek Jeter and Ramiro Pena each had a hit and that was it for the offense. Alex Rodriguez had a walk but struck out twice, some wonder if he was distracted by his meeting tommorrow in Buffalo with the Feds. Francisco Cervelli also drew a walk. The Yankees will play the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow night at 7:00PM. The game is at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The game will not be broadcast on TV. Joba Chamberlain is scheduled to make a relief appearance on Saturday, Joe Girardi said today just because they didn't win the 5th starter spot doesn't mean the other guys will head right to the bullpen. He said they still have to earn it and it is not a lock that Joba is the 8th inning guy. I don't see Joba not being that guy and eventual replacement for MO now and I am sure he is going to take the bull by the horns and go out and dominate in his single innings the rest of the spring. I just think he is built best for that job and he should flourish in the setup role like he did when he first came up.