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. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 7:22 PM 0 comments Labels: Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, baseball, blog, bullpen, George M. Steinbrenner Field, Joe Girardi, Mark Teixeira, minor league camp, New York Yankees, pitches, simulated game, stamina

Yanks offense keeps rolling as tempers flare

The New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles by the score of 11-7 tonight in Sarasota. This game though was more then just the final score, Mark Teixeira left the game early with a elbow contusion after getting hit by a pitch, later on in the game Francisco Cervelli got hit also and Joe Girardi lost his temper. It was reported by Chad Jennings who was live blogging the game from down there that he was shouting and motioning to the other dugout. I don't know what the repercussions will be if any but Baltimore and the Yankees will play many games this season as they are in the same division and I am sure this isn't over.

Javier Vazquez got the start and pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up 7 hits and 4 runs with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. He was pitching well until he gave up a 3 run Adam Jones homerun in the 6th inning. Joba Chamberlain got the final 2 outs of the 6th inning giving up a hit and striking out one guy. Chan Ho Park once again pitched a scoreless inning. Dave Robertson pitched an inning giving up 2 hits and 1 run with a walk and strikeout. Royce Ring didn't pitch too well in his bid to be the second lefty. He pitched 1 inning giving up 2 hits and 2 runs with 1 walk and strikeout.

Robinson Cano hit a 3 run homerun, David Winfree hit a 3 run homerun and had 4 rbi and Marcus Thames hit another homerun. Mark Teixeira had a hit and rbi before leaving the game and Alex Rodriguez had a hit. Randy Winn had a hit and Francisco Cervelli had a hit, walk and stolen base. Greg Golson also had a hit. The Yankees will play split squads tomorrow with the away game at Atlanta at 1:00PM and a home game against Toronto tomorrow night at 7 on the yes network. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 10:39 PM 0 comments Labels: Alex Rodriguez, baseball, blog, Chad Jennings, homerun, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, New York Yankees, strikeout, temper, YES network

Some Yankee notes from Today

Here are some notes from today via Chad Jennings of the Journal News and Lohud Yankees Blog.

Chad Gaudin has reportedly signed with the Oakland A's.

Sergio Mitre is starting the home game of the split squad games on Tuesday and the Yankees plan on him pitching more then 3 innings. They want to keep him stretched out in case of an injury, he will be the guy they go to early in the season. It could also be Alfredo Aceves but most likely it would be Mitre.

CC Sabathia will pitch the road split squad game on Tuesday. Girardi said "That is where CC asked to go. I said great that works out good."

Joe Girardi said that all of these missed games for Andy Pettitte may actually keep him stronger through the year. I guess you can always find a positive in any negative.

The Pitchers scheduled for tomorrow night are Javier Vazquez, Joba Chamberlain, Chan Ho Park, Dave Robertson and Royce Ring.

The whole regular infield will make the trip tomorrow. Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher will not along with Jorge Posada. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 11:33 PM 0 comments Labels: Andy Pettitte, baseball, blog, CC Sabathia, Chad Jennings, infield, injury, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Journal News, media notes

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.

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.

Looks can be deceiving

The New York Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater by the score of 9-7. A.J. Burnett got the start and had a horrible first inning, he recovered after that. He ended up throwing 4 innings giving up 5 runs on 7 hits with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. He gave up all of his runs in the first inning and then threw 3 scoreless after that. This is typical A.J., he can be soo good yet so bad at times and sometimes it is just one inning. Royce Ring faced one batter a lefty and got him out. Phil Hughes who probably could have locked up the 5th starter spot appeared to get roughed up. His line was 4 1/3 innings 5 hits, 4 runs, 0 walks and 6 strikeouts. He gave up a 2 run homerun that was legitimate but he also gave up 2 other solo homeruns that were wind aided. The good thing was 0 walks and 6 strikeouts.

Mark Teixeira led the offense going 4-4 with a 2 run homerun. Brett Gardner had a rbi and Curtis Granderson was 2-3 with a walk and rbi. Nick Swisher had a hit and rbi and Ramiro Pena had 2 hits. Kevin Russo and Eduardo Nunez each had a hit and rbi. The Yankees are off tomorrow.

Here are some notes from today via Chad Jennings of the Journal News. Joe Girardi said that they will be having serious discussions about the 5th starter on Wednesday and then see what their next move is and who will get more innings.

Girardi said he isn't ruling anything out at this point. "We have five guys, we have in a sense one spot in the rotation and three in the bullpen. I can't tell you exactly what is going to happen, we have two weeks to go." There is a couple of audio of Girardi today on the Lohud Yankees Blog.

A.J. Burnett said he threw some good changeups today, he said some got hit but but you keep throwing them. He said it is different, in the season you probably wouldn't keep throwing it but in the spring you can.

Joba Chamberlain said his changeup is getting better and better. He said this is the best changeup he ever had today. He threw 5 innings giving up 6 hits and 2 runs in the intrasquad game today. He had 1 walk and 1 strikeout, he threw 75 pitches, 48 for strikes.

Mariano Rivera got three outs, one of them a strikeout in the intrasquad game. He said "feeling good fellas, feeling good." He is scheduled to pitch again on Wednesday.

Chan Ho Park was brilliant in the intrasquad game. He got 7 outs, 5 of them by strikeout. He only gave up one hit and threw 21 out of 29 pitches for strikes. Joe Girardi said "He did everything we wanted him to do."

Damaso Marte got 4 outs, he got a double play and had 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Dave Robertson also got 4 outs. He struck out 3 and had 1 walk.





Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 8:09 PM 0 comments Labels: A.J. Burnett, Chad Jennings, homeruns, intrasquad game, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Journal News, Mark Teixeira, media notes, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, Philadelphia Phillies, strikeout

Yanks Fall to Astros

The New York Yankees lost to the Houston Astros today by the score of 6-4. Alfredo Aceves got the start and for the first time this spring he struggled. He pitched 4 1/3 innings giving up 5 hits and 5 runs with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. His numbers do look a little worse then he pitched though. Most of the damage was done at the end of his outing but this clearly was his worst start of the spring. Mark Melancon pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up 2 hits and a run with a strikeout. Boone Logan pitched another scoreless inning, he did give up a hit and he had a strikeout.



Brett Gardner had a couple of hits, one of them was a bunt single. The bunt hit was his 3rd of the spring, he had 2 all of last season. He has been hitting well lately and has his spring average up to 281, if he can hit like that then he will be a starting outfielder on this team. Mark Teixeira had a hit and walk and Alex Rodriguez continues to heat up as he had 2 hits and 2 rbi. Greg Golson and David Winfree each had a hit and Robinson Cano had a hit and rbi. Francisco Cervelli, Jon Weber, Kevin Russo, Ramiro Pena, Mike Rivera and Reid Gorecki all had a hit.

The Yankees will host the Detroit Tigers tomorrow afternoon at 1:00PM on the YES network. Here are some postgame notes from today:

Joe Girardi on the 5th starter competition being such a big topic "I think people are interested that is why, because once that is set, you iron out your bullpen from there. There's a lot kind of up in the air because you don't know who's in your bullpen because of the 5th starter spot. I'm not really suprised by the attention."

The other competition is for the last roster spot and it is between Marcus Thames and Jaime Hoffman and neither is playing well. Hoffman is batting 130 and Thames is hitting 107 this spring. Girardi said they aren't in that big of a hurry to make that decision. The 5th starter should be decided by Friday. The Lohud Blog has audio of Joe Girardi speaking with the media.

A.J. Burnett will start tomorrow with Phil Hughes pitching in relief. Joba will start on Monday with Andy Pettitte pitching in a minor league game. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 9:42 PM 0 comments Labels: A.J. Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, bullpen, competition, Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees, offense, Phil Hughes, pitched, recap, spring, starting pitching, topic

Joba steps up as Yanks fall down

The New York Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies today by the score of 6-2. The big story of the day though was the way Joba Chamberlain pitched. He looked really good today and has now not eliminated himself from the 5th starters competition. I am going to recap the pitchers and then the hitters and then have some notes.

Andy Pettitte made the start for the Yankees, it was his first start against live competition. He pitched 4 innings and gave up 2 runs on 5 hits with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. I would say it was a pretty good outing for being his first time out with real competition. He was throwing simulated games because of the rainouts. Damaso Marte pitched in relief of Andy and just had a terrible day. He didn't record an out and gave up 4 hits and 3 runs. He left the game after getting hit in the back by a Ryan Howard line drive. He should be ok but he is going to be sore for a while after that. Joba Chamberlain finished the game off with 3 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 run. He walked a batter and had 3 strikeouts.

Francisco Cervelli who survived a scare after getting beaned in the head is tearing it up offensively. He had 3 hits today and is batting 582 in the spring. He has the second highest average on the team. Brett Gardner had 2 hits and Nick Johnson had a hit and rbi. Mark Teixeira, Marcus Thames and Randy Winn each had a hit.

• Andy Pettitte had this to say "I threw a lot of good stuff, a lot of good pitches. My location I thought was fairly good. The balls that they hit, were just balls that I just didn't quite finish on a couple of them."

• Damaso Marte said he is fine after getting hit by a line drive off of Ryan Howards bat. Joe Girardi asked him if he had Bud Seligs signature on his back and he said no just seams.

• Andy Pettitte threw 55 pitches, 36 of them were strikes and Joba threw 47 in the game and about another 15 in the bullpen afterwards.

• Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain are on the same schedule so Joe Girardi said that there is a good chance that Andy Pettitte will pitch in a minor league game in his next start so Joba can make another start

• Tomorrow night against the Rays none of the 5th starter candidates will pitch. Joe Girardi said we will see some of the relievers. Dave Robertson and Chan Ho Park are expected to pitch. Javier Vazquez will start the game.

Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 9:45 PM 0 comments Labels: Andy Pettitte, competition, concussion, Francisco Cervelli, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, New York Yankees, notes, offense, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitching, story, strikeouts

Monday, March 15, 2010

Yankees Off Day

The Yankees were off today so it was very quiet in Tampa. The Yankees did send 2 more pitchers down to minor league camp today. The pitchers were Hector Noesi and Ivan Nova. The total amount of players in major league camp is now 52. If you are looking for some good minor league stuff then check out the Lohud Yankees Blog. Chad Jennings is the main beat writer and he had spend the last 7 years in Scranton covering the AAA team there. It was the Phillies at first but then became the Yankees. He was at minor league camp today with the Big Club being off. He wrote some good notes on his blog which can be found at http://yankees.lhblogs.com. It will be interesting to see if there is any A-rod news tomorrow. I hope he met with the FEDS today on the off day and then that is put to rest. The Yankees are going to have their full lineup tomorrow and Mariano Rivera is expected to make his first appearance of the spring. If you just want to see him don't turn the game on late, he will be in there early to get his work in. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 11:23 PM 0 comments Labels: A-rod, blog, Chad Jennings, Journal News, major league camp, Mariano Rivera, minor league camp, New York Yankees, spring training, Tampa

Some postgame Yankees Notes

Sam Borden had a interesting post on Joba and Phil Hughes on the Lohud Yankees Blog. If you haven't seen it check it out at http://yankees.lhblogs.com/. He is saying the reason you shouldn't get hung up in spring stats which I for the most part don't do is because there are things you don't know. Joba Chamberlain for instance has been told to work inside this spring so in that bad inning that is all he was doing no matter the results and Phil Hughes has been told work on your changeup and that is what he was doing when he gave up a homerun today. The point is if you say this guy did this and this one did that it doesn't really mean anything because in the season they wouldn't be doing the same thing. The most important thing is for them to stay healthy and get their arm stength up. The Yankees know what they are doing and are going to determine who they feel is the best 5th starter and who belongs in the bullpen. I know there will always be debate but the Yankees are looking at certain things and it isn't just the stats, I have a hunch they want Hughes to be the 5th starter and they know Joba will be good in the 8th inning role and future closer. I think this is how it will wind up and Aceves will fill the role he did last season with Mitre or Gaudin as the longman and the other getting traded or released.

There is also audo of both Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes on the Lohud Yankees blog. I forgot to mention this earlier but the Yankees announced yesterday that they will have a Bowl Game at Yankee Stadium. The game will be held on December 30, 2010 and broadcast on ESPN. It will be called the New Era Pinstriped Bowl.

Joe Girardi mentioned this morning that today will be the last tune up start, after today he will really start juding the pitchers for the 5th starter spot. Joe Girardi has been using a lot of different lineups over the past few days and said sometime towards the end of spring training he would want his regular lineup together for an extended period of time. March 16th is the day after an off day and Girardi said he will have all his regulars playing. That is supposed to be Mariano Riveras first appearance also of the spring.

Andy Pettitte, Javier Vazquez, Damaso Marte and Mariano Rivera all threw in the bullpen today. They stayed behind in Tampa and didn't make the trip. Cervelli caught Pettitte and Alfredo Aceves and I haven't heard otherwise so I am sure it went well and that he should be ready to catch in a game on Friday. Jesus Montero caught Javier Vazquez and Chad Gaudin. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 5:21 PM 0 comments Labels: 5th starters, baseball, bullpen, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Mariano Rivera, New Era Pinstriped Bowl, New York Yankees, notes, Phil Hughes, postgame, regulars, Sam Borden, spring training