The losing streak now sits at three games after the Rays beat the Yankees by the score of 4-0 this afternoon. Hiroki Kuroda allowed three runs on three hits in the second inning after a perfect first inning, and Rafael Soriano struck out two in his scoreless inning. It was his first game action of the spring. The Yankees only had four hits, including doubles by Nick Swisher and Jose Gil. Andruw Jones had an extra-base hit taken away on a nice running grab by the left fielder with his back to the infield. Clay Rapada retired all four men he faced, striking out the one lefty. Here’s the box score, and here’s the rest from Tampa…
- Michael Pineda, Manny Banuelos, Brad Meyers (all bullpens), and Adam Miller (simulated game) threw today. CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, Graham Stoneburner, and Brett Marshall are scheduled for side sessions tomorrow while Mariano Rivera will throw live batting practice. [Chad Jennings]
- Joba Chamberlain will throw breaking balls for the first time as part of his Tommy John surgery rehab this Saturday. He’ll do so from flat ground first, then get up on a mound. [George King]
- Mark Teixeira’s thumb is fine after jamming it on a play at first base yesterday. After Alex Rodriguez’s thumb issues last season, I was a tad nervous. Tex wasn’t scheduled to play today but is on the travel list for tomorrow’s game. [Sweeny Murti]
- Eduardo Nunez will take batting practice for the first time tomorrow since getting hit on the right hand with a pitch on Monday. “We’ll see how I feel tomorrow,” he said when asked about possibly playing this weekend. [Anthony McCarron & Erik Boland]
- Today was motivational speaker day, and the Yankees brought someone in who was apparently tearing phone books in half and rolling frying pans like a fruit roll-up. Whatever works, I guess. [Erik Boland]
- Yogi Berra arrived at the team’s complex today, which pretty much means that Spring Training is officially underway. [Bryan Hoch]
Here’s tonight’s open thread. Both the Knicks and Nets are playing tonight, but there’s no baseball on MLB Network. That kinda stinks. Talk about whatever your heart desires here, it’s all fair game.