Phil Hughes named 5th Starter

I am sorry that I didn't get to post the lineups or pregame information for today but here is what is going on. Chad Gaudin met with the beat reporters this morning to announce he has been released. Brian Cashman said he tried to trade him but there was no match and if they sent him to AAA they would have had to pay his full salary, right now they only owe him 1/4 of his salary. Phil Hughes was announced as the fifth starter and will start tomorrow on short rest so he can line up behind Javier Vazquez. Joe Girardi said a key to choosing Hughes was the development of his changeup this spring. They expect his innings limit to be slightly higher then Joba Chamberlains were last season, about 170. There was no announcement on when he will actually make his first start of the season but the Yankees don't need a 5th starter until April 17th and they only need one twice in April, they have every Monday off so this is a way to keep his innings down. There is audio of Joe Girardi today on the Lohud Yankees Blog at http://yankees.lhblogs.com Not that it matters but Aceves got knocked around pretty good today, he gave up 4 runs and didn't even get through the 3rd inning, he also gave up 6 hits. I will have a lot more later on this afternoon and evening regarding the days events and also the game recap.

New York Mets Recap and some Notes

The New York Mets lost to the Minnesota Twins today by the score of 7-3. Johan Santana started for the Mets and he wasn't good over 3 1/3 innings. He gave up 5 runs and 9 hits. He was pitching so well before this so I wouldn't get too crazy over it. Sean Green pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing 2 hits and 1 run. Bobby Parnell pitched 2 innings giving up a hit but 0 runs. He did have a strikeout. Pat Misch pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings. He did give up a walk but also had 2 strikeouts. Jenrry Mejia gave up a hit and run in 1 inning, he did work out of a jam though. I think it is good for him to struggle a little and then see how he bounces back from it. Jason Bay was 2-2 raising his spring average to 357, Ruben Tejada was 2-5 with 2 doubles. Daniel Murphy and Jeff Francoeur were 0-7 combined though and left 11 men on base. Fernando Martinez had a hit, Russ Adams had a hit and rbi. Omir Santos had a hit, rbi and walk and Sean Riggans had a hit. Pat Misch has a 9 inning scoreless streak going. The Mets play the Cardinals in Jupiter tomorrow at 1:05PM. Kevin Burkhardt of SNY said today during the telecast according to Matthew Cerrone that Kelvim Escobar won't start throwing until April after the Mets break camp. You can check out Matthews blog at http://metsblog.com It is a great Mets blog, he does a great job, there is lots of audio and video and everything you need to know about the Mets.

Grapefruit League Game 10-Atlanta Braves At Yankees(Weather Permitting)

It is a gray dreary day down in Tampa, there is rain in the forecast. It looks like they will get this game in though. Derek Jeter was in the original starting lineup but was scratched due to flu like symptoms. The Yankees told him to go home so as that he wouldn't pass it on to anyone else. He wasn't going to make the long roadtrip tomorrow so he will have 2 days off. Joe Girardi said he should have him playing in a game on Saturday. Here is the lineup for tonights game and then a couple of quick notes. Yankees Lineup: Winn(DH) Swisher(RF) Teixeira(1B) Rodriguez(3B) Posada(C) Thames(LF) Hoffman(CF) Pena(SS) Corona(2B) The Yankees are scheduled to play the Nationals in Viera which is a long ride, the bus is supposed to leave at 7:45AM but they are calling for bad weather tomorrow. Joe Girardi said that the Nationals are going to call them at 7:30AM if the game is called for tomorrow so they don't have to make the long trip. Here is who is scheduled to go on the trip. Pitchers:Andy Pettitte,Christian Garcia,Boone Logan,Sergio Mitre, D.J. Mitchell,Zach Segovia. Catchers:Francisco Cervelli, Jose Gil, Jesus Montero, P.J. Pilittere,Mike Rivera Infielders:Robinson Cano,Reegie Corona,Nick Johnson,Brandon Laird,Juan Miranda,Eduardo Nunez,Ramiro Pena,Kevin Russo and Jorge Vazquez. Outfielders:Brett Gardner, Colin Curtis,Gorecki, Curtis Granderson,Jaime Hoffman,Jon Weber,David Winfree and Randy Winn. Joe Girardi also announced that he has encouraged Francisco Cervelli to use the helmet with the extra padding. It was the helmet that David Wright was wearing when everyone made fun of him for looking like the Great Mazoo. The thing is I don't care what you look like if you have had head injuries you want to protect yourself as best as you can. There is Joe Girardi audi up at the Lohud Yankees Blog from Sam Borden. Here is the audio. Enjoy the game, it is at 7:00PM on the YES network. I will be back in a little bit with a official game post.

Yankees Win Opener on Walkoff

The New York Yankees defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon in their exhibition opener. The game was tied 3-3 when Colin Curtis hit a walkoff 3 run homerun in the bottom of the ninth to seal the victory for the Yankees. A.J. Burnett wasn't around to deliver the pie, but it was a good start as the Yankees started the way they ended with a win. The Yankees also continued on a trend last year of walkoff wins, they sure seem to love the pie. Here are some of the stats and the notes from today. Alex Rodriguez recorded the Yankees first hit of the spring. Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves each pitched 2 scoreless innings. They each also had a strikeout and Gaudin was the only one who allowed a hit with a infield single to lead off the game. Nick Johnson had a rbi double and made a nice pick over at first. He has always been a good first baseman and will provide great defense when Mark Teixeira is dhing or taking a day off. Jon Albaladejo had a rocky outing, he gave up 2 hits and 3 runs without recording an out. Royce Ring pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts. Jason Hirsh faced 2 batters and struck them both out. Sanit pitched a scoreless inning. I really don't know much about him but he is a minor league pitcher. Ramiro Pena had a solo homerun, he was the utility guy last season and I would think he is the frontrunner for the same job this season. He started it off the right way and he did make a couple of nice plays in the field, he is known for his defense though. George Steinbrenner was at the field briefly, he was driven through the concourse and quickly driven out. CC Sabathia is scheduled for 2 innings or 35 pitches tomorrow when he faces Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies. Javier Vazquez threw a bullpen today becoming the last starter to do so, Joba felt better today and threw a bullpen and then went home. If he feels ok tomorrow he will be good to go for Friday. Derek Jeter, A-rod,Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson, Marcus Thames, Jon Weber, Francisco Cervelli, P.J. Pilittere and Mike Rivera. If I see this correctly that is 3 catchers which would lead me to belive we will see top prospect Jesus Montero in the game tomorrow. There is Joe Girardi and Curtis Granderson audio up on the great Lohud Yankees Blog by Chad Jennings. You can hear it at http://yankees.lhblogs.com/. The Yankees take on the Phillies tomorrow in Clearwater at 1:00pm, the game is on the MLB network.

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

Big Tex reports to Camp

Mark Teixera spoke today and I had hoped to post the audio from Peter Abrahams site but I couldn't get it for some reason. I did listen to the audio and here is some of what he said. He said he was a rookie back in Texas and had a one track mind of just trying to stay in the big leagues, he wasn't thinking about steroids. He said of course you did hear some things about it, rumors,whispers. He said his parents were very strict, no drugs, alcohol and he would never do anything like that but he isn't going to judge anyone. He said he doesn't know where the Arod and him not getting along talk came from since they have a good relationship. He said when he first signed in Texas Arod welcomed him with open arms and took him out to dinner, he just wanted to win Big Tex said. He said he is still good friends with Arod and is excited about the upcoming season and will be at the press conference tomorrow. I hope I can get the audio up but that is the important stuff he said.