New York Yankees news and notes on an off day

The New York Yankees announced after the game last night that they had traded for infielder Chris Nelson from the Colorado Rockies. He can play third base and second base, he hasn’t played short since the minors. He isn’t particularly good at either according to reports. He had a really good last year, and isn’t off to a great start this year. He can hit pretty well but he seems to be filling a need for more infield depth and a right handed bat that the Yankees need. 
Eduardo Nunez and Ichiro Suzuki are starting to hit. Ichiro is batting 407 in his last seven games. He had three hit’s the other night and his average is up to 268. Nunez is over 200 now after three hit’s the other night.

Ronnier Mustelier is back with AAA Scranton and could be a factor in the major leagues. He got hurt in spring training and is finally back playing again. He is a third baseman who could help the major league club. Curtis Granderson tweeted tonight that he had some at bats in extended spring for the second straight day. I would expect him back in the next couple of weeks.

Michael Pineda is really looking good in rehab. He is throwing 95 which is pretty remarkable. I think he can and probably will be a factor for the Yankees down the stretch. He is an important guy going forward also as he projects at top of the rotation pitcher.

Joba Chamberlain was placed on the 15 day dl today with an oblique strain. Alex Rodriguez is running full bore now and will be reporting to Tampa on Monday. He will be doing some early baseball activities. He is right on schedule though, the Yankees say don’t think he will come back early. David Robertson tweaked his knee last night and is day-to-day. He seems to be ok but they are going to be careful with him.

Mark Teixeira will be with the Yankees through the weekend and then join Rodriguez and Granderson in Tampa next week. Brian Cashman said he is staying away from timetables but is happy these guys are going to be in extended spring and being closer to returning.

Corban Joseph was optioned back to AAA and Chris Nelson will be joining the team tomorrow. The Yankees will add a pitcher to replace Chamberlain but they don’t know who it will be yet. It could be Mark Montgomery, Preston Claiborne, I guess we will find out at some point tomorrow.

Yankees notes as they get their third baseman back with the team

Alex Rodriguez is in the clubhouse and on the field, but he won’t be in the lineup until Saturday at the earliest.  He is now continuing his rehab but doing conditioning and working on his defense and running.  He feels his swing is fine and that is why he left Scranton.  Interesting thing to watch is that in his time in Scranton he took top hitting prospect Jesus Montero under his wing.  He invited him to Miami to work out in the offseason and the coaches down there are really hoping for him to get called up soon and be happy with the challenge.  They think he is getting bored down in AAA because he has basically conquered the competition. 


“We’re shooting for this weekend, trying to be optimistic about that,” he said. “The one thing that I’m lacking the most is first-step quickness and defense, and opening up my gait and really trying to make good turns going home to second or first to third. Today we did a little bit of that, and tomorrow we’ll have another session.”

“If I felt like hitting was the one thing I felt most behind, it would probably be most productive to be down either in Tampa or Scranton getting a bunch of at-bats,” Rodriguez said. “But this is a situation that’s a little bit rare where conditioning is the most important thing and fielding is the most important thing, and those are things I can do here with our staff.”

Those pregame drills at third base were fairly intense, and Rodriguez went through two different conditioning sessions with strength coach Dana Cavalea. He ran this afternoon — “Opened up my gait as much as I have post-op,” Rodriguez said — and he was planning to doing a spinning session on a weight room bike after his media session.

Joe Girardi didn’t go into detail, but it’s clear that he’s mapped out a loose plan for how to use Rodriguez through the first week or so. It will probably include semi-regular DH games, gradually giving him more and more time in the field.

When he gets back in the lineup, Rodriguez expects to show the kind of power that was missing in the two or three weeks before he went on the DL.

“I’m able to lean back on my swing,” he said. “Kevin (Long) and I worked today, and every swing hurt a lot before going on the DL, so therefore I had to get off my back side and really jump out to the front side and really become more of a handsy hitter. In order to hit for power, you always have to lean back, and that’s the feeling I feel like I’m getting back to.”

Girardi was obviously frustrated and disappointed to learn that he was right and the umpires were wrong last night. He should have protested the game, but he trusted that the umpires — both crew chief Dana DeMuth and home plate umpire Chad Fairchild — knew the Kansas City ground rules better than he did.

“When two separate umpires on two different accounts tell you that, ‘No, that’s what we said, it’s a home run,’ I believe them,” Girardi said. “Maybe I don’t need to be so trustworthy next time.”

Girardi said he told the umpires that Mick Kelleher had been told the opposite — that a ball like Butler’s shouldn’t be a home run — but both umpires told him that they had clarified the rule after talking to Kelleher. Girardi said he won’t be so hesitant to question a similar situation in the future.

“I’ll be protesting every night,” he said.

 Freddy Garcia’s attempt to finally throw a splitfinger was pushed back yet again. At this point, it seems that starting on Sunday is a serious question, and Girardi said it’s entirely possible that Garcia could land on the disabled list. With the move retroactive, Garcia could be activated early next week.

Phil Hughes starts tomorrow and A.J. Burnett on Saturday. Ivan Nova will start Sunday if Garcia can’t make that start.

 Nick Swisher is just getting a half day off at designated hitter. He’s not hurt.  Joe Girardi likes doing this to keep his players fresh.

 Joba Chamberlain is with the Yankees during this series. He showed up because he started a weight lifting program today. “It feels really good,” he said. Everything is on schedule for Chamberlain, and he thinks he could begin throwing, “in a couple of weeks.”

 By the way, Chamberlain had two stomach surgeries this summer. He had his appendix out, and just a couple days later he was still hurting, and doctors discovering infection. Chamberlain was in the hospital for two weeks with a tube in his right side draining the infection. “I would rather have about 10 Tommy Johns than two stomach surgeries,” Chamberlain said. “That was no fun.”

 Chamberlain really does look a little bit thinner than when he left. He said he’s been able to work out some, and he’s been able to stay active outside. He said he feels terrific. “I’ve been tossing around a 5-year-old,” he said. “So I think that’s probably the best rehab you can do.”

Some Mets News

Carlos Beltran arrived in Port St. Lucie today and spoke about being upset with the situation with the injury for about a week. He said it took him that long to get over it but he knows he has to get back with the team and help them win and everything will be ok. He is going to rehab with the team which is a good thing, he can help some of the younger guys. He said there is now no pain in the knee and he is positive and happy with how the surgery went. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated is saying that Jerry Manuel isn't kidding and until Carlos Beltran comes back Jose Reyes will be batting third. Jenrry Menjia who is a 20 year old kid is drawing buzz today. He threw yesterday and they said he has an electric arm. Jerry Manuel wouldn't rule him out to be the 8th inning guy. I think it is wrong to rush him, he hasn't pitched above double A and he did struggle there some, he is also a starter and could be a top of the rotation guy. Jerry Manuel felt that K-rod threw well today in his bullpen, he said he had a life on his pitches. He said that Kelvim Escobar hasn't been cleared to do anything other then pitchers fielding practice and light workouts which he has been doing. He said that if Beltran wasn't injured Reyes batting third wouldn't be an issue. He also said he spoke with Beltran but only about how he was doing as a person, he will later discuss how he is doing physically.

New York Mets Notes from Florida

The New York Mets had some news coming out of florida today. According to the Star Ledger of NJ Brian Costa who talked to GM Omar Minaya today he said that Henry Blanco would be the backup and the starters job would come down to either Josh Thole or Omir Santos. The 23 year old Thole hit 321 with 3 extra base hits in 17 games for the Mets last season. It looks like they were impressed with how he handled the pitchers. I think the best thing for him would be to go down to AAA and get some more seasoning in before coming up to the majors later on in the year but with this being the Mets who knows what they will do. Jose Reyes had a informal workout today and there is some video of him on Matt Cerrone http://metsblog.com/. He was at tradition field where he did agility drills, jogging, batting practice and fielded ground balls. He said this " I have been doing so much of my rehab without the team, but now to be back with my team is really exciting. I feel like a little kid bro." He said that he has nothing to be afraid of that " I am able to do everything that I want to do." Mike Jacobs and Daniel Murphy worked together fielding ground balls at first base. Mike Jacobs also took batting practice in front of hitting coach Howard Johnson.

Mets receive good injury news

Kevin Kernan of the NY Post had a story on Jose Reyes in todays paper. He was at a private workout with Jose yesterday. Jose has been working out at this complex in Long Island and is doing great according to the article. He will be reporting to spring training in about a week or so ahead of everyone to continue his rehab. He stated that he feels great and can't wait to hit a triple. He knows that he is going to be fine this season and credits the trainer who set up the program for him. It is funny though that even as the Mets got good news with injuries there was another bad injury story. J.J. Putz who pitched for the Mets last season claims the Mets never gave him a physical last season after he hurt his elbow and that they screwed the whole injury up. He even implied that they may have told him to hide his injury from the media. The Mets of course said this isn't true. The thing is who believes the Mets anymore when it comes to these kinds of things. I wouldn't worry about that so much as it involves their image which is already damaged. The important thing for the Mets is to get their sparkplug and ignitor back and it appears they will be getting Jose Reyes back. He will go a long way in determining if they can get back to being a good team or not.

Random thoughts and notes

Today is the 30th anniversary of Thurman Munson's death. I purchased the new book by Marty Appell called the life and death of a Yankee Captain, i have not read it yet but plan on posting a review of it when I do. It is amazing that this was so long ago and it still resonates with people. He was such a good guy and a real blue collar guy. There is a great article about Shelly Duncan by Chad Jennings the Scranton Yankees beat reporter who has a blog, you can check out the link over at Peter Abrahams Lohud Yankees Blog. The Red Sox went to Baltimore and swept them but I do wonder with the aquisition of Victor Martinez, how that will affect other guys. If he plays first base that means Youkilis moves to third and Mike Lowell sits, if he plays catcher then Varitek sits and if he is DH Big Papi sits, this should be interesting to watch. It is amazing to me how some teams own other teams and some teams own certain pitchers etc. Mark Buehrle is coming off setting the major league record for most retired batters in a row and the Yankees just batter him today like they always do, he is now 1-6 in his career vs them with a 7 something era. Jesus Montero the Yankees #2 prospect is out for the year after getting crossed up and breaking a finger. He will play winter ball it looks like but his minor league season is over. He is only 20 yrs old and will start at AA next year but I won't be suprised to see him in AAA at some point. Damaso Marte continues to rehab in Scranton, I wonder if the Yankees will call him back up. I do think there is some sort of clock where they have too. If Sergio Mitre continues to falter will the Yankees actually turn to Kei Igawa?? Jason Hirsch made his debut yesterday and tossed 6 shutout innings could he be a guy they look too?? Hirsch has been bad but he was a #1 prospect only a couple of yrs ago. The Mets have been pretty quiet and won some games lately, can this continue and can they really get back into the race?? I personally don't think so because there are so many teams ahead of them but who knows.

Yankees go for sweep

The New York Yankees will be looking for the sweep tonight of the Seattle Mariners. The game is at 7:05 on the Yes network. Here are the pregame notes and lineup from Peter Abraham-the best blogger there is. The Yankees are 30-15 in their last 45 games. The Yankees have won 9 of their last 11 games against Seattle and won 10 straight in the bronx, the last time the Mariners won in the bronx was 2007. The relievers are on a roll, Mo over his last 9 appearances has gone 9 1/3 innings giving up 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk and 12 strikeouts. Phil Hughes has gone 13 innings in his last 8 appearances giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks and 16 strikeouts. Alfredo Aceves has gone 9 appearances, 12 1/3 innings, 9 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. Phil Coke ha gone 15 appearances, 13 1/3 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 3 walks and 15 strikeouts. These are very impressive numbers and part of the reason the Yankees are winning so much the other part is the starters have been good too and the bullpen is getting worn down. CC Sabathia has a career 2.95 era against Seattle and is 6-1 with a 2.82 era in his last 10 games. Robinson Cano has gone 11 games without an rbi, his last rbi came on June 17th. Johnny Damon has 198 homeruns and is 10 of his last 24 with 7 rbi's and 5 extra base hits. The Yankees team era is 4.44 which is 11th in the AL but getting lower and lower. They are second in strikeouts with 588. Boston has 1 more and they are second in opponents batting average which is at 252, Seattle leads at 250. The Yankees are 23-14 at home and have played in bad weather all year with some rainouts already. Big Tex is overdue for a homerun, his last one was June 12 off of Livan Hernandez. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Matsui(DH) Cabrera(CF) Cervelli(C) Jose Molina starts a rehab assignment tonight with AAA-Scranton where I will be on Sunday for the game with the lohud Yankees blog and Peter Abraham, we are going to also meet Dave Miley the manager and a player and I hope to meet Chad Jennings who does a great job with a blog for the Scranton Yankees. I will definitely do a nice writeup and have some pics from the day out at PNC Park in Scranton. I also will put up what is going on with the contest for the free coloring book later on tonight. The Yankees signed a couple of independent league players the other day and I forgot to mention that and today started the international free agent signing period where the Yankees are expected to announce a couple of signings, one of them being Gary Sanchez a catcher with a big bat, this is where they signed Jesus Montero who by the way is starting to tear up AA at 19 years old.

A couple of Yankee notes on off day

Xavier Nady is heading to AAA-Scranton to start his rehab. He will join them tomorrow and be ready to start his rehab assignment on Wednesday. He played in a simulated game today and went 2 for 3 with 2 singles as a DH. He made throws to second and third before the game and felt fine. Jose Molina completed a workout and Damaso Marte a throwing program but they still both seem a ways off. I am not sure how much time Nady needs but I would think without any setbacks it may only be a couple of weeks before he is back. The Yankees issued this release regarding Nady today. CC Sabathia did not get treatment today according to Peter Abraham, the reason was that Atlanta was playing a makeup game and the trainers room wasn't available, he will go about his normal schedule this week and it looks like he will be fine as the Yankees didn't send him for a MRI.

Subway Series Part I

The New York Yankees will take on the Mets in the first installment of the Subway Series for this year from Yankee Stadium. Here are the pregame notes from Peter Abraham and the lineups. The Yankees were 2-4 against the Mets last year. They are 20-13 overall against the Mets. The Yankees are 124-89 in interleague games, the best mark in baseball. Hideki Matsui turns 35 today and last year on his birthday he hit a grand slam. He was the first Yankee to hit a grand slam on his birthday. The Yankees have lost 5 of their last 8. The Mets have lost 6 of 9. Derek Jeter has 11 hits in the first inning of 19 games. The Yankees with runners in scoring position against Boston were 3 of 28 and are 7 of their last 62 a awesome 113 average. This is what I hate about Kevin Long, the offense is inconsistant and there are not injury excuses now, he should be fired in my mind. Today is the 14th anniversary of A-rod hitting his first career homerun. His 561 homeruns through today are the most for any player within 14 years of hitting his first homerun. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Swisher(RF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Cabrera(LF) Gardner(CF) Damon is out with a problem with his eyes and is being examined sometime today, he is day to day right now. Brian Bruney may be activated tomorrow instead of going out on a rehab assignment, I wonder if that has anything to do with yesterdays 8th inning debacle?

Yankees at Toronto

This game is huge in Toronto as they are in first place and also A.J. Burnett isn't too well liked up there as he opted out and headed to the Yankees. I am sure the two friends badly want to beat each other. Roy Halladay is 58-24 over the last 4 seasons. He was 18-17 with a almost 5 era in his first 49 games, so for anyone that wants to give up on Phil Hughes or Joba or any guy like that this is why you have to be patient with young guys. A.J. Burnett is 0-0 with a 6.66 era over his last 4 starts, he needs to come out and pitch a good game and get rolling now. Robbie Cano may be coming out of his slump going 4 for his last 12 with 3 extra base hits. The Blue Jays are 73-49 since he took over managing last year, he did win two world championships with them in the early 90's. Mark Teixeira is 7 of his last29 which isn't great but maybe he is slowly getting there, we can only hope. Johnny Damon is just on fire going 13 of his last 31 with 5 homeruns and 15 rbi's. Melky is 19 of 52 since becoming a starter with only 3 rbis though. Derek Jeter was scratched with a oblique pull, Brian Bruney will throw off the mound tomorrow and Posada is in Tampa ramping up his rehab, Brian Cashman is headed to Scranton to see Wang pitch tonight. Here is the lineup: Gardner(CF) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Cabrera(RF) Cash(C) Pena(SS)

Red Sox at Yankees

This is a big game for the Yankees, they can't let the Sox leave town 5-0 against the Yanks. These teams only play 1 more 3 game series in June before August so the Yankees have to get a win here. Jorge Posada was placed on the DL and officially they are saying 2-3 weeks but in the clubhouse they fear it could be 3-5 weeks. Francisco Cervelli was called up from AA-Trenton to be the backup. Here are some pregame notes and lineups via Peter Abraham. The weather looks better then last night so I think they will play and it will start on time but we will see. We will see if any bad blood spills over with Girardi and Tim Bogar the 1b coach for Boston, Girardi felt he was stealing signs and got into a shouting match with him over it. Joe was steamed after the game I am sure also with the umpire and the frustration of losing again to the Red Sox. Big Tex joined Nick Swisher and Melky Cabrera as Yankees to homer from both sides of the plate this season. Only 8 other Yankees have done that prior to this season. Elias is saying the Yankees are the first team since at least 1969 to have 3 hitters homer from each side in the same season. The homerun that Tex hit broke a 2-29 slump and then he hit another one before striking out in the ninth so hopefully this gets him going. I would guess Papelbon is not pitching tonight after throwing 32 pitches last night. Mariano Rivera hasn't pitched since April 30. A-rod played 7 innings again today at 3b and made several plays including a spin move. He was 3-6 with two long homeruns to centerfield, a single and a lineout. He will do the same tommorrow and if he feels good on Thursday after being off he will meet the team in Baltimore and play his first game with the Yankees Friday night. Here are the lineups: Yankees Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Pena(3B) Molina(C) Boston Ellsbury(CF) Pedroia(2B) Ortiz(DH) Bay(LF) Lowell(3B) Drew(RF) Bailey(1B) Varitek(C) Green(SS) The game is on the YES network at 7:00PM.

Yankees News

The only news with the pitching is that Andy Pettitte will pitch tomorrow. There has been no official decision on Wang but I am sure he won't be making a start this time through the rotation. We will see what they decide to do with the rest of the rotation either tonight or tomorrow. There was good news out of Tampa today as A-rod continues to progress in his rehab. He took seventy-five swings and hit ten homeruns. He also fielded grounders and threw to first and second. Joe Girardi said today that he thinks it will be a couple of more weeks before he gets into games but I just don't see that. I have a feeling by the end of this week or early next week he could see game action. Joe Girardi said the big test will be if he can slide and have no problems with that. He also needs to do full speed sprints and running the bases although he does run at the beginning and end of his drills.

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

Last Full Squad Workout Before The Games

Today was the last workout with the Grapefruit league starting play tomorrow. The New York Yankees will be traveling to Dunedin, Florida to face the Blue Jays. Here are some notes from today: Jorge Posada will DH on Thursday. Hideki Matsui still has a little ways to go before he is ready to play. He will start his running program soon. Jorge continues to do well with his rehab, his arm strength appears to be good. The Yankees are very optimistic about his progress. Derek Jeter did all his running today and seems fine, he is ready to go for the WBC. Alfredo Aceves will start on Sunday against Cincinnati. He ran the table off the break during one of the pool tournaments yesterday. Phil Hughes said " a shark". Bernie Williams was back in camp after a 3 day absence and took some BP. Arod, Jeter and Cano who will all be leaving for the WBC will play Thursdays game at home and skip the trip to Fort Myers on Friday.