Roster move and a couple other injury notes

Kevin Cash was optioned to AAA-Scranton. They like Francisco Cervelli and want him catching CC Sabathia tomorrow. Jose Molina is going to catch in a game tomorrow and will be back soon enough. Xavier Nady starts a throwing program on Monday and Brian Bruney on Tuesday. The Yankees have not discussed Joba in the pen and Girardi said the great thing about presidential debates is that they end. I love that line, he is a starter and should be a starter, they will find a reliever if they have too but for the long run Joba belongs in the rotation. There is hope that Melky could be back in the lineup on Monday, he has really progressed in the last couple of days and says no need to go on the DL. You can hear audio of Jorge Posada on Peter Abrahams blog. He discusses how proud of Cervelli he is.

Yanks try and move on

The Yankees open up a two game series with the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at the Stadium. Here are the matchups for the two games. Tonight-A.J. Burnett vs Andy Sonastine Tomorrow-Andy Pettitte vs Jeff Niemann The Yankees should have the pitching advantage in these two games and need to find a way to win both of them. They have already beat the Rays 2 out of 3 in Tampa and usually beat them in NY. A.J. Burnett is looking to give the Yankees a dominating performance to set the tone and maybe the pitching will get on a roll. Lets hope Joba got them going with last nights performance.

Yankees Recap

The New York Yankees defeated the Cincinatti Reds 7-1 tonight in Tampa. Joba Chamberlain got the start and was much better giving up 3 hits and 1 run in 3 innings. He did top out at 96 on the gun and his control was much better. This was definitely a good sign and a step in the right direction. The run was given up when Brett Gardner had trouble with a fly ball that he should of caught. Brett did have 2 hits though, Shelly Duncan hit a 3 run homerun showing he can have power at anytime and making the Yankees think about putting him back on the 40 man or at least pay attention to him. Hideki Matsui had a double and a walk and looked pretty good scoring from second. Cody Ransom is trying to make us forget about Arod with 2 more hits. When the starters came out Austin Jackson had a rbi hit and ended the game with a beautiful running catch in the gap. The Yankees other top prospect Jesus Montero looked good behind the plate and had a nice opposite field hit. The pitchers behind Joba were also solid, even Kei Igawa throwing 2 more scoreless innings looking real good not that it matters. Christian Garcia looked impressive with 2 strikeouts, this kid has a ton of potential and Anthony Claggett who the Yankees love looked good in his one inning. CC makes his second start of the spring tomorrow against Detroit in Lakeland. Just a quick side not, how in the world did the Netherlands advance and knockout the Dominicans, this may be the greatest upset in the history of sports.

Spring Game 14: Reds at Yankees

There can't be a big game in spring training especially with the Boss not being the Boss anymore but tonights game for Joba is as big as you can get. You might ask why I am saying that and usually I wouldn't think anything of pitching poorly in the spring but this is the first spring Joba is preparing to be solely a starter and he is coming off of having shoulder issues last year so its important for him to show improvement tonight. Phil Hughes has been as good as you can be so far and wants another chance to prove himself. I am sure no matter what happens the Yankees will keep Joba as the 5th starter for as long as they can but if this continues and Hughes continues to pitch the way everyone thought he could then watch out. Hideki Matsui is back in the lineup tonight as he continues his rehab and Gardner trys to keep up his hot start. Cody Ransom is at third and he will be the third baseman, Arod may only miss the first month and maybe not even that so I think its ok, he plays very good D and whatever he does offensively will be a bonus, you have to root for a guy like Cody Ransom. Angel Berroa will try and win the backup job as he has hit very well this spring but needs to play better defensively. Ramiro Pena can field but doesn't hit enough to be in the majors and Leone and Bernier are in the mix but are career journeyman. I see Kei Igawa on the list after Joba, why is he still around?? It is nice that Moose is on vacation and stopped by to visit the Yanks with his family, he is enjoying retirement and doesn't regret it at all he said. Everyone enjoy the game on YES at 7:00PM tonight, I will be back later with some more. Spring Game 14: Reds at Yankees Posted using ShareThis

Cashman audio from today

Arod is the big story of the day and below I have the link to the Cashman audio on that. The Yankees are going to try and nurse him through it and I think that is the best move right now since he hasn't been bothered by it and it hasn't affected him. They have to keep a close eye on it and Alex has to be honest with them about it. The Yankees ultimately are going to win or lose by their pitching though even though if they lost Arod for a significant period it would hurt them. Joba did not get out of the first inning today giving up 5 runs on 4 walks, 1 hit and a wild pitch. He said afterwards that he felt fine and no worries but how long can this last before everyone panics?? If this continues would Phil Hughes get a shot and Joba back to the pen?? The good news from today is that Mariano Rivera threw his first bullpen of the season and felt fine and said he will be ready for opening day. It will be interesting to see what the Yanks do with Arod, how long will he be out but at least for now they don't have to worry about the steroids scandal. Cashman audio from today Posted using ShareThis

Spring Game 9: Team Canada vs. Yankees

Joba gets his second start and lets see if its any better then the first, people are freaking out over his first start but no need to worry. Get used to this kind of lineup even more with word that Arod may be out 10 weeks for hip surgery, don't jump off the bridge yet, lets wait for confirmation and remember the yankees have the pitching that should win them most games. I like the idea of playing small ball, pitching and defense that wins championships remember. Hideki Matsui makes his first appearance of the spring today which is good. The other thing to remember is if he is healthy and Posada, Cano bounces back and Tex, the offense is better anyway even without Arod. Spring Game 9: Team Canada vs. Yankees Posted using ShareThis

CC and Joba and other Yankee Notes

Here are CC and Joba at Disney on Sunday. They took part in ESPN's the weekend. Joba also brought a family with him and paid for everything. These two guys seem like very good friends already, Joba actually befriended CC in 2007. I know its early but you really get the feeling this team is really meshing well.

As for some notes from the game today, the Yankees and Astros tied 5-5. The Yankees were up 5-2 and then the backups gave up 3 runs and some sloppy play in the field to get to the tie. The important parts of the game were the Chin Ming Wang threw 2 scoreless innings and felt great, the foot is not an issue at all. He said the sinker was up a little but that is usual for this time of year. Melky fought back today in the CF battle with a rbi triple and a rbi single. Jorge Posada was back in action and had a rbi single which is a good sign.

Yanks at Reds

The New York Yankees travel to Sarasota today to face the Cincinatti Reds. I am going to post the lineups and the pitchers but first I want to get to a few notes from yesterday. Hideki Matsui was running the bases yesterday and it is believed that he will get into a game as DH next week at some point. Joba wasn't too worried about giving up two rockets yesterday in his 1 inning. He threw 21 pitches and only three were not 4 seam fastballs. He was just working on his arm strength, you have to remember that spring training is longer this year and the pitchers don't have to go all out just yet. CC will throw a simulated game today, he already may have and make his first start on Friday. Arod was supposed to meet with the MLB investigators but that is being delayed. He will play today then head off to be with the Dominican team, maybe he will meet with them Monday or Tuesday. Jeter,Cano and Marte will also be leaving for the WBC after the game today. You have to feel bad for Big Tex who is losing his whole infield for what can be up to 3 weeks. Joe Girardi im sure will be crossing his fingers that everyone comes back in one piece. The lineups and pitchers for today are: 1. Gardner(CF) 2. Jeter(SS) 3. Tex(1b) 4. Arod(3b) 5. Cano(2b) 6. Nady(Rf) 7. J. Rodriguez(Lf) 8. Ransom(DH) 9. Cash(C) Alfredo Aceves gets the start followed by Damaso Marte, Brian Bruney, Jon Albaladejo, Christian Garcia, Mark Melancon and J.B. Cox. The game is not on TV or radio today, you can check out the Yankees lohud blog for updates or mlb.com for the boxscores. I will have updates after the game. This is the last game that the big boys will be together for a while, so after today you will see more of the Ransom,Berroa, etc in the lineup daily.

Arod Today

Here is Arod with Joba and Arod sure has the support of the fans out at George M. Steinbrenner Field. He really seems to be enjoying himself out on the field, but this story won't go away, hopefully he will just pour everything in to the baseball field and have a great season.

CC and AJ meet the Media

CC really is the man, everyone is going to love him. I hope to have more quotes later or the audio. CC Sabathia when he was pitching on 3 days rest last year with the Brewers, kept getting calls from his agent. He said "I had to shut off my phone and block his calls. I felt fine. Nobody asked me to do that, I wanted to." "I feel great, to be honest with you" he said and doesn't regret what he did. " I would do it again." He said he has purchased a home in New Jersey and will live there year round. AJ Burnett was asked what he thought of Pettitte and Joba in the back end of the rotation and he said " I'm not sure there is a back end." I really like these guys so far, they seem like cool laid back people and if they stay healthy the Yankees are in great shape. CC seems like a true leader and the Yankees and the fans are going to love having him around.

A. J. arrives

Here is a picture of AJ Burnett long tossing today at Yankees minor league complex. It is good to see this and I really believe he is a big key to the Yankees season. If AJ is healthy and pitches the Yankees staff is pretty formidable. CC and AJ at top with Wang and then Pettitte and Joba in the back that is pretty scary. A. J. arrives Posted using ShareThis

Actual Yankees News

I thank Peter Abraham of the Journal News and http://yankees.lhblogs.com for this. He spoke with Brian Cashman and Cash said that Joba will be the fifth starter and once he hits his innings limits that will be it. They have no thought of using him out of the pen at all and by him being the fifth starter they can skip starts and all to help him. He also said he absolutely likes the idea of keeping both Nady and Swisher. A trade could happen but there is some value in roster flexibility. Cash said Nady can cover them in right and left and that Swish can play right,left,first base and center in an emergency. It gives the manager a lot of choices. There are high hopes for Melky to reclaim center. Cash said that Melky played well in winter ball and has to have the competiveness to put last year behind him. The good ones always find a way he said, he also said it is a competition and Gardner will get a long look and that Austin Jackson will be in the minors all year. He said he is wide open to having veterans come to camp and try to earn a job but no word on whose those guys might be.

Joba raring to go

Joba Chamberlain was at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut tonight. Jon Lester was also on hand with him. Joba is headed down to tampa tomorrow and will begin throwing off a mound. "Twenty five fastballs, im feeling great," he said. The Yankees he said told him in November he would be a starter and he is preparing for that. "It is a relief to have it all settled." he said. Joba had dinner with CC in December and spoke highly of him. He said he is a tremendous guy and "people are going to love him." Joba should be better off by knowing what he is doing and sticking to one thing. He looks good in the pictures and lets hope he learned his lesson with the DUI.

Joba Chamberlain

I thank Peter Abraham of the Journal news for giving me this idea. Joba Chamberlain and Jon Lester will be appearing together at a function at Sacred Heart University on Tuesday January 27,2009. It will be interesting to see if Joba is the same guy or if he has changed since his DUI arrest. I think he will be the same guy but maybe a little less cocky. I like Joba a lot and he is super important to the Yankees future, in time he will be one of their aces. I met him right before he came up to the Yankees down in Trenton and he was just wonderful. He stayed and signed every autograph, it took probably a good hour. He chatted to everyone, i even told him we will see you soon in NY and he said I hope so. He was just a great kid and it was wonderful meeting him. I think back to me when i was his age without the spotlight on me. What dumb things did I do, im sure many of you can think the same thing, so lets hope he learns from this and is able to just go out there and pitch and help the Yanks win a world series. I welcome your thoughts on this topic and see what everyone else thinks about this?