River Avenue Blues

River Ave. Blues » Archives for Mike » Page 2650

Open Thread: Oh no, minor injuries

by 187 Comments

PeteAbe has a couple of small injury notes:

· Jesus Montero (strained right groin) was injured sliding to track down a passed ball. Joe Girardi said it seemed like a “moderate” strain. Given his status and youth, they’ll be cautious bringing him back.

· Jon Albaladejo caught a ball off the back of his left leg near the ankle and has a bruise. He’s day-to-day.

A pair of small nothings, if you ask me. Both guys have plenty of time to get healthy before the season starts. The more important injury news, that you might have missed earlier, is that Jorge Posada’s shoulder is okay, and he could DH as soon as tomorrow. My educated guess it that the team will hold him back until Tuesday.

Former Yankee Updates: Chad Jennings checks in on some former Yankees and how they’re faring during Spring Training. Of note is the news that Carl Pavano managed to throw two scoreless innings without chipping a nail, stubbing his toe or bursting his appendix.

Here’s your open thread for the night. The Nets are the only local team in action because the Devils won this afternoon. Anything goes, just be nice.

Sabathia’s simulated game postponed; Jorge feels better

by 19 Comments

Mother Nature got in the way of CC Sabathia’s simulated game which was scheduled for this morning, so instead he’ll go tomorrow according to Pete Caldera. His first start of the spring is scheduled for March 6th, and this isn’t going to threaten that date at all. Caldera also notes that Jorge Posada’s shoulder feels better and he could DH tomorrow if the team lets him, which they won’t. Aaaaaaand exhale.

Robinson Cano gives back

by 27 Comments

Kat O’Brien just got back from a trip down to the Dominican, and aside from all the talk about steroids and the various development academies comes this gem (emphasis mine):

Probably the best part of the trip was getting to talk to a lot of children and teens who hope to one day be major leaguers. We happened upon a bunch of kids practicing in San Pedro de Macoris, Robinson Cano’s hometown. They were all wearing jerseys with Cano on the back, and a coach told me Cano had bought uniforms for the entire league – about 6,000 kids. He also bought two ambulances for the town. So he is really beloved there, the coach said even more so than fellow natives Sammy Sosa and Alfonso Soriano. What people like best is that Cano still comes back in winter, often sitting and watching kids play baseball on Saturdays.

Awesome, you gotta love it when these megarish athletes give something back, whether it be providing an entire league with jerseys or taking a family on a Disney vacation. It’s amazing how little play stories like this get in the MSM. (h/t Jason)

Yanks will take it easy with Joba this spring

by 37 Comments

There was a little bit of panic when Joba was only throwing 88-89 in his start today, but it was clear that he wasn’t throwing with full effort. Turns out that yeah, the Yanks will be taking it easy on their ace-in-training during camp. “For Joba, he doesn’t have the same experience the other guys have,” said Joe Girardi. “We think it’s important to get him on the mound and build him up because he had the (shoulder) issue last year.” Also keep in mind that the regular members of the starting rotation won’t begin throwing in games until next week, and Joba’s scheduled to make two starts before then (including today), putting him that much ahead of the pace. Like we were saying earlier: relax, it’s February.

Open Thread: Juan Cruz signs, finally

by 159 Comments

esteban-germanI wanted the Yanks to sign Juan Cruz back in early January, but alas, they never showed serious interest in him and Cruz ended up with the Royals. The terms: 2 years, $6M guaranteed with a $4M option for a third year. The Diamondbacks received Kansas City’s second round pick (because the Royals’ first rounder is protected) and a sandwich rounder as compensation, giving them 5 of the first 44 picks and 7 of the first 62. They can do some serious damage this year. You can see the up-to-the-minute draft order at our 2009 Draft Order Tracker.

To make room for Cruz on the 40-man roster the Royals designated utility man Esteban German for assignment, and I hope the Yanks at least kick the tires on him. German has been outrighted before (by the A’s back in 2004) and has plenty of service time, so if he clears waivers he’ll have the ability to refuse an assignment to Triple-A and become a free agent. Obviously, that’s when the Yanks should look at him, and on a minor league deal only. There’s no way you give him a Major League deal or claim him on waivers (putting him on the 40-man).

Basically, all German offers is versatility and a replacement level bat, although in 2006 and 2007 he was a 1-1.5 win player off the bench. He’s only played 36 innings at short the last three years, but he’s seen plenty of time at second and third. Offensively, about the best you can hope for at this point is .260-.310-.340 with maybe a dozen doubles and a rare homer, but hey, if he’s willing to come in and compete for a job, why wouldn’t you do it? The more competition the better, I say.

Anyway, here’s your open thread for the night. The Devils already won today, and both the Islanders and Rangers are in action tonight. The Knicks are also playing down in Miami. Oh, and here’s the box score of today’s game if you’re interested. Have fun.

Photo Credit: Dick Whipple, AP

Posada, Girardi not concerned about sore shoulder

by 25 Comments

As you probably already know, Jorge Posada was scratched from today’s game because of some discomfort in his shoulder, which according to Kat O’Brien occured when he was doing pregame stretches on Thursday. Posada played through the soreness the past two days – going 4-for-5 with a double and a homer – but the Yanks took him out of the lineup as a precaution after he told them about the pain today. Both Posada and Joe Girardi said they weren’t concerned and that was a normal part of rehab, but still. You have to be a little worried, right?

Spring Training Game Thread: Joba takes on the Twinkies

by 222 Comments

aj-cc-and-jobaJoba Chamberlain will make his first appearance of the spring this afternoon, and luckily for all of us the game will be on YES. He’ll be opposed by some guy named Liriano, and according to LEN3 ex-Yank Sean Henn is scheduled to make an appearance.

Chad Jennings notes that Brett Gardner and Phil Coke will be presented with the 2008 Kevin Lawn Awards before the game, given to the organization’s Minor League Player and Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Back in September I gave those awards to Jesus Montero and Zach McAllister, respectively, but Gardner and Coke are certainly deserving.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:15. Here’s the lineup, courtesy of Bryan Hoch:

Damon, LF
Jeter, SS
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Posada, DH Swisher, RF
Cano, 2B
Swisher, RF Molina, C
Molina, C Duncan, DH
Melky, CF

Scheduled Pitchers: Joba Chamberlain, Mike Dunn, Jose Veras, Dan Giese, Kei Igawa, David Robertson, Steven Jackson, Kanekoa Teixeira

Based on my highly scientific system of counting the number of pitchers scheduled to pitch and comparing that to the number of innings typically played in a game, I’m guessing we’ll get two innings out of Joba.

If you won’t be around to catch the live broadcast, MLB Network will be replaying it at 5pm, as will YES at 7pm. I might watch all three.

Update (1:01pm): Posada’s been scratched with shoulder discomfort. Hopefully it’s nothing serious. No word on the lineup change yet.

Update (1:07pm): Shelley Duncan’s the new DH.

Photo Credit: Reuters Pictures