(J. Meric/Getty)

The Yankees beat the Astros 6-3 today. Hiroki Kuroda was fantastic, allowing just one run on three hits in his four innings of work. He struck out two and walked zero, and threw a whopping 49 strikes with his 59 pitches (83.1%). That’ll work just fine thank you. Mariano Rivera needed eight pitches to hit a batter and record three outs in his scoreless inning. He hasn’t allowed a Spring Training run since March 15th, 2008 according to the team.

Robinson Cano was the offensive star of the day, clubbing a three-run homer over the right field bleachers and out of the stadium in an 0-2 count. Bill Hall also chipped in a solo shot, and Andruw Jones had a pair of knocks. Both Curtis Granderson (double and walk) and Brett Gardner (two walks) each reached base twice as well. Dellin Betances showed us all he had in his scoreless inning, including nasty offspeed stuff for swings and misses, on-and-off fastball command, and ugly fielding. Here’s the box score and here’s the rest from Tampa…

• Eduardo Nunez played today for the first time in close to two weeks. He took batting practice and fielding grounders before the game to test his injured right hand, then wore a protective glove during the game. “It feels better,” he said. [Chad Jennings]
• Nick Swisher went for a precautionary MRI on his sore groin, which came back clean. He expects to play tomorrow, but since they’re playing a night game an hour away in Sarasota and they have Monday off, I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t return until Tuesday. [Bryan Hoch]
• David Robertson will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, his first time back on a mound since suffering the bone bruise in his right foot. [Sweeny Murti]
• Austin Romine resumed baseball activities today. He took some hacks off a tee and soft toss, and played catch as well. He’s been out for most of camp due to back inflammation. [Jennings]
• Ravel Santana was scheduled to take batting practice in minor league camp today. There’s been some confusion about his status for this summer following the brutal ankle injury that ended his 2011 season, but at least he’s taking BP. Running and playing the outfield is another matter entirely. [Josh Norris]
• Rule 5 Draft pick pick Brad Meyers threw live batting practice today. He has yet to appear in a game after hurting his shoulder working out this offseason, so his chances of making the team are basically zilch. For shame. [Jennings]

Here is your open thread for the night. All five hockey and basketball locals are in action, plus MLB Network will be showing games all evening. Talk about whatever you like here.

The Yankees beat the Nationals today by the score of 8-5. Michael Pineda allowed two runs and struck out four in 3.2 IP before reaching his pitch count (video), and his fastball was sitting right around 90 mph and topping out at 92 [Marc Carig]. He said he only threw about ten changeups, but it felt like a ton more than that, particularly with no one on base. He got a few swings and misses with it (and at least one ground ball), and his slider was stupid good for the most part. Neither Pineda nor Russell Martin think much of the velocity, but the right-hander was pretty thrilled about the changeup. [Jayson Stark]

Bill Hall (2-for-3) doubled off the wall to the opposite field to drive in a pair, and Justin Maxwell went 2-for-2 in garbage time. Jose Gil also drove in two with a single in his only at-bat. Brett Gardner went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, and he must have seen 20 pitches in the process. He was fouling off everything it seemed. Clay Rapada walked a left-handed batter after getting ahead in the count 0-2, which is a definite no-no. Brett Marshall threw the best 2.1 IP of two-run ball you’ll ever see, I thought he looked very good. Here’s the box score, and here’s the rest from the day in Tampa…

• Freddy Garcia has a big wrap on his right hand but says it’s just a bad bruise. He thinks he’s only going to miss a few days after getting hit by an Edwin Encarnacion comebacker yesterday, but who knows. [MarcCarig]
• Joba Chamberlain will throw 50 pitches in the bullpen tomorrow, with the last ten being sliders. No, they’re not stretching him out to be a starter, it’s all about building arm strength at this point. [George King]
• Austin Romine took some dry swings today, the first time he’s done anything with a bat since hurting his back earlier in camp. He’s still a week away from full workouts. [Carig]
• Ramiro Pena left today’s game with a sore ankle after sliding into second awkwardly while attempting to steal a base in the fourth. There are no tests planned. Martin is fine following the collision with Wang you see above. Here’s video if you want to see what happened. [Carig, Carig]
• D.J. Mitchell broke out a new cutter during his three stellar innings yesterday, though apparently he started working on it last year. Boone Logan has also been focusing on a changeup during side sessions, which is a pitch he threw a while ago but has since scrapped as a reliever. George Kontos (live batting practice), Ivan Nova and David Phelps (bullpens) threw today. [Chad Jennings]

Here is your open thread for the night. All three hockey locals are in action tonight, plus MLB Network will be airing a game a little later tonight. You folks all know what to do by now, so have at it.

(REUTERS/Steve Nesius)

The Yankees lost to the Blue Jays 7-5 this afternoon, and the biggest news of the day was Freddy Garcia‘s right hand contusion. Thankfully x-rays came back negative after he got hit by an Edwin Encarnacion line drive. Freddy allowed two runs in three innings, including an Encarnacion homer. Manny Banuelos got roughed up pretty bad, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks in one inning of work. One of those hits was an Encarnacion homer. That guy really did some damage today.

Yankees’ center fielders went a combined to go 4-for-5 today, with Curtis Granderson (pair of doubles) and Dewayne Wise picking up two knocks each. Mark Teixeira also singled to the opposite field off a right-handed pitcher, so hooray for that. Frankie Cervelli, Doug Bernier, and Cole Garner all doubled, accounting for all of the club’s extra-base hits. D.J. Mitchell hit two batters in three otherwise perfect innings, recording four outs with strike three and five others on the ground. Not bad. Here’s the box score and here’s the latest from Tampa.

• Michael Pineda has changed his between-start routine. He now throws his bullpen session two days before starts rather than three, which is what he did with the Mariners last year and is most comfortable with. Joba Chamberlain, Hiroki Kuroda, Rafael Soriano, Dellin Betances, and Matt Daley all threw their scheduled side sessions today. [Chad Jennings]
• David Robertson jogged on a treadmill for 30 minutes today and didn’t feel any pain or soreness in his right foot. There’s a pretty good chance he’ll throw a bullpen session this weekend. [Jennings]
• Nick Swisher left today’s game with minor tightness in his right groin. It doesn’t sound like a big deal though, just a precaution. I’ll worry if we don’t see him for a few days. [Mark Feinsand]
• George Kontos was scheduled to appear in his first game of the spring this Friday, but he’ll instead throw another round of live batting practice tomorrow and probably get into a game at some point over the weekend. [Jennings]

Here is your open thread for the night. The Nets and Mike D’Antoni-less Knicks are both playing tonight, and MLB Network will be airing some games as well. Talk about whatever you like here, go nuts.

Safe. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

For the first time this spring, the Yankees are playing a night game. They’re at home against the Astros tonight, but the game will not be broadcast on television. Here’s the Gameday link and here’s the rest from Tampa…

• David Robertson shed the boot on his injured right foot today and played catch. “It felt much better,” he said. “I don’t have any of that soreness that I had in the middle of my foot … no pain.” Good sign? Great sign. [Erik Boland & David Waldstein]
• Joba Chamberlain, Matt Daley, Brad Meyers, Brett Marshall, and David Phelps all threw side sessions today while Michael Pineda, Phil Hughes, Adam Warren, Kevin Whelan, and Graham Stoneburner will do so tomorrow. George Kontos will face hitters tomorrow for the first time after missing basically three weeks with an oblique issue. [Chad Jennings]
• Eduardo Nunez hasn’t played since getting hit in the right hand with a pitch last Monday, and right now the plan is another day of rest. He’ll be re-evaluated on Wednesday. “If it lingers more than that, I will be somewhat concerned,” said Joe Girardi. [George King]
• Dan Burawa has a tear in his oblique and is expected to miss quite a bit of time. They’ll know exactly how much time after he sees the doctor tonight. Austin Romine, meanwhile, will take some hacks in the next day or two. He’s been on the shelf with back inflammation. [Jennings]

Here is your open thread for the night. Both the Knicks and Nets are playing, plus MLB Network will carry a game later on. Talk about whatever you like here, go nuts.

(REUTERS/Mike Cassese)

Time to panic, the losing streak has hit four games. The Yankees lost to the Blue Jays 6-1 this afternoon. Ivan Nova got hit around pretty hard, allowing five runs on six hits (one homer and one double) in 2.2 IP before reaching his pitch count. He told Jack Curry that fastball command was the problem, but “I know I’m going to get it back.”

The lone run came on a Colin Curtis solo dinger, but the only other extra-base hit was a Ramiro Pena double. Mark Teixeira did single to left as a left-handed batter, so hooray for that. David Phelps and Dellin Betances weren’t great, but they didn’t allow any runs in 3.1 combined innings. Cesar Cabral allowed a run in his inning of work. That’s pretty much it, here’s the box score and here’s the rest from Tampa…

• Mariano Rivera threw live batting practice today and is slated to appear in a game for the first time this Sunday. “Fine. All good,” said the closer when asked how it went today, just in case you were worried. [Jeff Bradley]
• George Kontos, Joba Chamberlain, Cory Wade, Brad Meyers, Boone Logan, Hiroki Kuroda, and Clay Rapada will all throw bullpens tomorrow. It’ will be Kontos’ first time on the mound since his oblique problem. Graham Stoneburner, Brett Marshall, CC Sabathia, and Phil Hughes all threw today as planned. [Chad Jennings]
• In case you missed it earlier, David Robertson suffered some kind of foot injury slipped down some steps last night. An MRI showed “cause for concern,” and he’s being sent for more tests.

Here is your open thread for the night. All three hockey locals are in action tonight, and MLB Network will be showing a game later on. Talk about whatever you like here, enjoy.

(REUTERS/Steve Nesius)

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.

The Yankees lost to the Pirates today. Season over. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Spring Training losing streak has been extended to a daunting two games. The Yankees lost to the Pirates 7-4 in Bradenton today. CC Sabathia started and allowed three straight singles to open the game, then retired the next five men he faced (including one double play). Phil Hughes replaced him and only recorded four outs before reaching his pitch limit. Joe had more on his outing earlier this afternoon.

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira all picked up one hit. Jeter also took an errant pick-off throw to the ribs but remained in the game. A-Rod and Tex also walked. David Adams and Justin Maxwell both doubled, the only extra-base hits. Brett Marshall replaced Hughes and recorded five outs, then Graham Stoneburner took over with two innings of one-run ball. Chase Whitley let things get out of hand with a three-run eighth inning. Oh, and Zoilo Almonte finally made an out. For shame. Here’s the box score, and here’s the rest from Tampa…

• Frankie Cervelli got hit in the head by a back-swing today while behind the plate, but thankfully it was nothing serious. He has a history of concussion problems, as you know. Mark Teixeira also jammed his thumb, but it ain’t no thang. [Chad Jennings]
• Joba Chamberlain highlighted today’s bullpen sessions, his second time working off a full mound as part of his rehab from Tommy John surgery. D.J. Mitchell, Matt Daley, and Freddy Garcia all threw sides today while Michael Pineda, Manny Banuelos, Rafael Soriano, and Brad Meyers are scheduled to do so tomorrow. [Jennings]

Here is your open thread for the night. Every local hockey and basketball team is playing except for the Islanders, plus MLB Network will be broadcasting games pretty much all evening. Talk about whatever your heart desires, enjoy.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The dream of an undefeated season is over. The Yankees lost their first game of the spring today, falling to the Phillies 9-3. Michael Pineda started and threw two scoreless innings (video), allowing a ten-hop single back up the middle to the first batter before retiring the next six. He struck out two: Shane Victorino on a changeup in the dirt and Jim Thome on a fastball up high. Afterwards, Pineda told Jack Curry that he threw about five changeups, including the one whiff from Victorino. Marc Carig spoke to a scout who said he was 89-92 with a flat slider. Typical first outing of camp.

David Robertson allowed a run in his inning, but things really got out of hand in the sixth. Adam Miller allowed five runs on six baserunners with his only out coming on a caught stealing. Juan Cedeno (three runs in one inning) did him no favors by allowing all three inherited runs to score. Gus Molina was the offensive star by going 2-for-2 and Zoilo Almonte continued his perfect spring by going 1-for-1. He’s now 5-for-5 across three games. Brett Gardner hit an inside-the-park homer that was really a fly ball followed by a comedy of errors. Here’s the box score, and here’s the rest from Tampa…

• Mariano Rivera threw a 28-pitch live batting practice session this morning and could get into a game as soon as this weekend. “I’ll be ready,” he said. “I was born ready.” Rafael Soriano threw 26 pitches in his live BP session. [Carig, Erik Boland & Bryan Hoch]
• Brad Meyers, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Ivan Nova, and David Phelps all threw their scheduled bullpen sessions. Freddy Garcia, D.J. Mitchell and Joba Chamberlain are scheduled to throw tomorrow. CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes will both pitch against the Pirates in a game that will not be televised. [Chad Jennings]
• Cole Garner is day-to-day with a hamstring injury. He’s suddenly a step behind Zoilo in the race for the Jon Weber Memorial He Should Make The Team! Award. [Jennings]
• In case you missed it early, Eduardo Nunez left today’s game with a contusion after getting hit by a pitch in the right hand. He was sent for precautionary x-rays.

Here is your open thread for the night. None of the basketball or hockey locals are in action, but the Mets are playing (on SNY) and MLB Network will be carrying various games all night. Talk about whatever you like here, enjoy.