Games Begin Tomorrow But For Now Fun And Games

The Yankees will have their first exhibition game tomorrow at 1:00PM against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game is in Tampa, the pitchers have been announced and they will be Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves who everyone already knew about. The pitchers available out of the bullpen will be Jonathan Albaladejo, Wilkens Arias, Jason Hirsh,Royce Ring,Amaury Sanit and Zach Segovia. The Yankees went to a local arcade today and took part in 3 different type of games there were in tournament style. The games were pop-a-shot, some kind of racing game and skee ball. There were four ideas that were thrown out and they were bowling, paint ball, ping pong and a pool party. Here is what Joe Girardi said about them: Paintball-"We thought that was dangerous." I can't disagree with him on that one. Ping Pong-"In pop-a-shot you want to have a soft touch, where in ping-pong they may want to spike it." That I guess is a good point but what could happen, maybe he means they try and do it too hard and hurt themselves. Bowling-"Pitchers arms, you get concerned." I can see his point but I don't think it is that strenous. Pool Party-"That had stubbed toes written all over it." I just think he didn't want to see grown men in speedos or whatever swimming attire they would of worn. Here is a recap of the action that took place today: Indy Car-Winner-A.J. Burnett and Runner Up-Dana Cavalea, for anyone that might not know he is the strength and conditioning coach. Skeeball: Winner-Andrew Brackman and Runner Up-Eduardo Nunez Pop-A-Shot-Winner-Royce Ring and Runner Up-Mark Melancon Here are some of the comments from Mark Teixeira that were obtained by Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. "The highlights were A.J. Burnett just smoking the field in the video game racing, and Royce Ring probably being the best pop-a-shot basketball player I have ever seen." Mariano Rivera was last years big winner in the pool tournament but his name wasn't on the winners list this year. Here is what Teixeira had to say about that "I don't think he did as well, but I don't want to throw him under the bus. At pool he was definitely head and shoulders above the rest, but these arcade games leveled the playing field a little. I won't throw anyone else under the bus, but I admit the race car game was a little difficult and I finished last in my heat." He also added that "It was a great day, the fact that we get three or four hours not to have to worry about baseball and not have to compete on the baseball field, it was fun. Playing video games, we felt like kids again. It promotes a light-hearted atmosphere." Joba Chamberlain had flu like symptoms and didn't attend the outing today. He will attempt to throw a bullpen tomorrow and if he can, he will stay in line to pitch on Friday but if not plans will be adjusted. The Yankees also announced the probably pitchers for the games on Thursday and Friday, here they are: Thursday at Philadelphia: CC Sabathia, Kei Igawa,Zach McAllister,Mark Melancon,Ivan Nova,Romulo Sanchez. Friday vs Tampa Bay: Phil Hughes,Joba Chamberlain,Jeremy Bleich,Grant Duff,Dustin Moseley,Hector Noesi,Dave Robertson and Kevin Whelan.

Mets have intrasquad game, get ready for first Game Tomorrow

The New York Mets had a intrasquad game today and will have their first exhibition game tomorrow. Manager Jerry Manuel told reporters after the intrasquad today that Johan Santanas first start will probably be on March 9th. Jose Reyes hit a leadoff triple in the first at bat he had today, he showed no lingering effects of his hamstring as he was running around the bases. This was a very welcome sight for the Mets and all of their fans, this is something you should see quite often in Citi Field if he can stay healthy. Jose Reyes is the sparkplug and I really think he needs to remain the leadoff hitter but I think he will bat third until Carlos Beltran comes back. Tomorrows game is at 1:00PM against the Braves. Nelson Figueroa will get the start. The lineup will be Gary Matthews Jr. hitting leadoff and playing center field followed by Luis Castillo,Jose Reyes,David Wright,Jason Bay, Mike Jacobs who will DH, Jeff Francoeur,Ike Davis who will play first and Chris Coste will do the catching. There wasn't much else coming out of today, Matthew Cerrone on his blog, this is where I got the lineup for tomorrow stated that it feels much looser in camp this year and that there is better chemistry. I hope the Mets do have a better attitude and stay healthy, if they do that they can win some games, but pitching is the key and they need someone from the group of Mike Pelfry, Oliver Perez and John Maine to step up.

A-rod to meet with Feds and A.J. adapts to Change

There were a couple of pretty big stories coming out of Tampa today. The first one has to do with Alex Rodriguez although this time he is not the focus. The Feds will meet with him regarding Dr. Tony Galea, the association is with Dr. Mark Lindsay who was managing A-rods hip rehab. New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes met with the Feds already as part of this same investigation. Here is what A-rod had to say "This is about someone else, I am going to cooperate as best as I can and focus on baseball." The Yankees issued a press release that said "The New York Yankees have not been contacted with regard to an investigation of Dr. Tony Galea. The Yankees never authorized Dr. Tony Galea to treat Alex Rodriguez, nor do we have any knowledge of such treatment. The Yankees authorized Dr. Marc Philippon to operate on Alex and oversee his rehabilitation. At the request of Dr. Philippon, we also authorized Dr. Marc Lindsay to supervise the daily rehabilitation program established by Dr. Philippon. We will continue to monitor the situation." A.J. Burnett threw live batting practice today, he threw 30 pitches. He didn't throw a curveball and said he thinks he threw 12 changeups. He said he knows what other teams scouting report will be on his changeup "Has one, never threw it but he might." He has spent the winter trying to improve his changeup, which he has only thrown occasionally in his career. He only threw fastballs and changeups today and said he will probably do that through his first 2 or 3 starts of the spring. He said watching CC throw last year and he is a power guy and how much he used the changeup and how good of a pitch it was for him basically inspired A.J. to try and better himself. I love to see this with these pitchers, I really feel the group the Yankees have push each other and they aren't satisfied with winning the World Series, they want to keep winning. Andy Pettitte is the only pitcher throwing batting practice tomorrow, he will do so at about 9:00AM, there will be a few others who will throw a normal bullpen. The players will be out of camp by 10:00AM for there big group outing which we still don't know what it is. I guess we will find out tomorrow but it looks like it may be another pool tournament. Chan Ho Park threw 35 pitches today and Damaso Marte threw 25, they will both throw again on Wednesday. Andrew Brackman threw BP on a backfield and was impressive for his first time out. He is still a guy the Yankees have high hopes for, this is a big year for him to start to show what he has.

Mets News and Notes for Sunday

Jose Reyes said today that he met with the FBI on Thursday. The reason for that meeeting was his association with Dr. Tony Galea who is under investigation for drug violations. Jose Reyes said he wasn't worried because he knows he hasn't done anything wrong. He said basically he took my blood out, spun it in a machine and then put it back in his leg. He said the FBI told him there should be no problem with him. Mike Puma of the New York Post had a article on Jason Bay in todays paper. Jason Bay stated that he would like to improve on his 267 batting average from last season. He said he feels he is a 275 or 280 hitter. He said strikeouts are part of his game and he used to get upset by them but not anymore. He said as long as he is doing the other things he is ok with the strikeouts. David Lennon has a report for Newsday about Jeff Francoeur. He stated that he feels that his performance over the last 2 months of 2009 will carry into 2010. Darryl Strawberry has taken a special interest in him this spring and said he is on the verge of a breakthrough season. Strawberry said he should be a 25 homerun and 90-100 rbi a season guy.

News and Notes from Yankees Camp

Chan Ho Park arrived in camp today, he said he has been throwing in Korea. He long tossed today and will throw a bullpen tomorrow. Edwar Ramirez was designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster for Park. The official press release from the Yankees can be found here. Chan Ho Park will wear number 61. Brian Cashman said they are treating him like today was his first day of spring training, which it was technically. He was throwing bullpens and training in Korea but the Yankees will start his throwing program the same way they did the other pitchers. He will throw a bullpen tommorrow and Cashman said he won't get into a game the first week of exhibition games. That still will give him enough time to be ready for opening day, the Yankees just don't want to rush him and have him get hurt. Here are the pitchers who threw live batting practice today: Group 1-Joba Chamberlain, CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes,Boone Logan,Zach McAllister,Ivan Nova,Hector Noesi. Group 2: Kei Igawa,Dustin Moseley,D.J. Mitchell, Mark Melancon,Jeremy Bleich,Kevin Whelan. CC Sabathia threw 28 pitches today. He faced Mike Rivera,Marcus Thames,Randy Winn and Nick Johnson. He said this "They didn't take many swings, but it is good to have that hitter judge your pitches. It doesn't matter whether they swing or not." He was asked if he is ready to finally pitch in a game and he said " We will see, I feel good though. My bullpens went real well, I get Monday off then throw another bullpen, so I will be fine. I'm looking forward to it. Today definitely helped, getting back going and getting used to facing guys."