McAllister roughed up in SWB loss

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The Yankees have asked Brandon Laird to start taking fly balls in the outfield before games, obviously because they want to try him out at there at some point in the future. That point may not be until next season, but it’s clear the team is trying to increase his versatility. Nothing is imminent though, this is just the start of the process.

Meanwhile, Dickie Marquez got released. I had him in my top 30 prospects list once upon a time, long before RAB. I blame that on the team’s lack of prospects at the time, not my poor judgment. Yeah, that’s it.

Triple-A Scranton (11-7 loss to Toledo)
Kevin Russo, 0 for 5, 4 K – understand since he’s had two plate appearances in the last 28 days
Reegie Corona, 2B: 1 for 5, 1 K
Eduardo Nunez, SS: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
Chad Tracy, 3B: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB - nine for 22 (.409) with four homers since signing
Jesus Montero, C: 0 for 4
Reid Gorecki, DH & Greg Golson, CF: both 1 for 4, 1 R – Gorecki K’ed three times … Golson homered, drove in two & K’ed
Eric Bruntlett, RF: 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K – 12 for his last 23 (.522)
Zach McAllister: 2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 2-2 GB/FB – 35 of his 61 pitches were strikes (57.4%) … first time he’s walked three batters since his first start of the season … there was talk in the comments earlier about whether McAllister or Ivan Nova would replace A.J. Burnett if he had to miss a start, and frankly Z-Mac hasn’t done enough to earn a shot at the big leagues this year
The Ghost of Kei Igawa: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-5 GB/FB - 40 of his 67 pitches were strikes (59.7%) … first action in 19 days … he gave up three homers
Eric Wordekemper: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0-2 GB/FB – 12 of his 17 pitches were strikes (70.6%)
Royce Ring: 1 IP, zeroes, 3-0 GB/FB - six of his 10 pitches were strikes … lowers his ERA to 1.52
Zack Segovia: 1 IP, zeroes, 2 K, 1-0 GB/FB – all nine pitches were strikes

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Burnett leaves game with ‘lacerations’ on his throwing hand

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Update(8:13pm): Burnett lied to Joe Girardi and Co. earlier; he cut his hand when he slammed it on a door. That can’t happen; he has to show some self-control. I know he’s frustrated — we’re all frustrated with his recent pitching — but that kind of behavior is selfish and inexcusable. At least Kevin Brown had the sense to use his left hand.

(6:31pm): A.J. Burnett left this afternoon’s game in the middle of the bottom of the third inning with what manager Joe Girardi later said were “lacerations on his right hand.” The Yanks’ skipper didn’t know when Burnett hurt his hand, but Kim Jones reports that Brian Cashman said Burnett tripped going up some stairs and scraped his hand. The injury to the Yanks’ right-hander appeared to impact his curve ball command. Dustin Moseley entered the game to relieve Burnett, and A.J. is, for now, day to day.

Injury Updates: Mitre, Aceves, Johnson

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Earlier today we learned that Damaso Marte had to be placed on the disabled list with a bout of shoulder tendinitis and then A.J. Burnett left his start with lacerations on his right hand. While those two are only the latest in a slew of injured Yankees, we have some updates on the guys working their ways back to the Bronx.

Sergio Mitre threw a side session this afternoon after making a rehab start for Triple-A Scranton on Thursday. He will return to the team for the start of the Angels’ series on Tuesday. You have to figure that’s the end of the line for one of Chad Ho Moseley trio, and after today’s outing, Moseley may have thrown his final pitches for the Yanks. They should have traded him before he could opt out when his stock was at a high.

Two other key cogs aren’t close to returning. After suffering yet another setback, Alfredo Aceves will begin a throwing program this weekend by tossing off flat ground. With some major back problems plaguing him, Aceves isn’t coming back to help the bullpen anytime soon, and anything the Yanks get out of him this season is a bonus. He may have to explore surgery after the season is over.

As for Nick Johnson, he has restarted his rehab after feeling pain in his wrist earlier this month. His new plan involves “aggressive wrist exercises,” but he is still a few weeks away from true baseball activities such as swinging a bat. Like Aceves, anything they get out of Johnson the rest of the season is gravy.

Feel free to use this update as tonight’s open thread. We’ll be back later with Down on the Farm and the recap of this afternoon’s Rays-Yanks affair.

Yankees interested in Wes Helms

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Via MLBTR, the Yankees have shown some interest in utility player Wes Helms, who Joe Girardi is familiar with from his time in Florida. The 34-year-old Helms isn’t much of a hitter, posting a sub-.300 wOBA in three of the last four seasons, including this one (.297).  His .148 ISO is Helms’ best since his 2006 under Girardi, so maybe he knows the magic formula. He’s basically a poor man’s version of Ty Wigginton, capable of playing first and third in a pinch. For what it’s worth, he’s long been considered a tremendous clubhouse guy, not that the Yanks need it.

There’s about $429,000 left on Helms’ contract this year, and he’s not close to being a Type-B free agent, nevermind a Type-A. If nothing else, he should be easy to acquire and easily DFA’able if it comes to that. The Yanks may also be talking to the Fish about other players as well.

Game 90: Bob Sheppard’s day at the park

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Bob Reads a Poem

While the Yanks honored Bob Sheppard last night by silencing the public address announcer — including the between-innings barrage of scoreboard noise — George Steinbrenner took center stage with constant video tributes and a longer piece reflecting on his legacy prior to the game. Today, it’s all about Bob, as the Yanks’ dearly departed voice will be feted this afternoon. After airing a pre-Old Timer’s Day video tribute, the team will put on a special performance during the 7th inning stretch to remember the 57-year veteran of Yankee Stadium.

With another emotional day on tap, the Yankees will get down to business on the field this afternoon, and it should be another good one. Fresh off of their thrilling 5-4 walk-off last night, the Yanks will send the streaking A.J. Burnett to the mound. On the season, Burnett is an unimpressive 7-7 with a 4.75 ERA. His K/9 IP is down to 6.8 and his K/BB ratio is 1.76. But after a terrible stretch in June, Good A.J. has come roaring back. Over his last 13.2 innings, he’s allowed just a pair of earned runs on nine hits and five walks while striking out nine.

The Rays, however, have a bunch of good left-handed hitters who could give A.J. problems, and he has not pitched too well against Tampa this year. He’s 1-1 vs. the Rays in 2010, but he’s allowed eight earned runs in 13.2 innings while surrendering 13 hits and seven walks and striking out just five.

Opposing Burnett will be Jeff Niemann, another live arm in the Rays’ rotation. He’s 7-2 with a 2.77 ERA, but he’s outpitching his FIP by a considerable amount. With that mark of 4.21, he could be in for a regression against a good-hitting Yankee team playing in front of a boisterous crowd.

This one’s on FOX, and it’s supposed to start at 4:05 p.m. Game time temperatures are expected to be in the low 90s.

2 Jeter SS
33 Swisher RF
25 Teixeira 1B
13 Rodriguez 3B
24 Cano 2B
20 Posada DH
14 Granderson CF
29 Cervelli C
11 Gardner LF

34 Burnett P

2010 Old Timer’s Day Thread

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Less than 24 hours after paying tribute to George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard, the Yankees will hold their annual celebration of the team’s storied history this afternoon. Ah yes, Old Timer’s Day. One of my favorite days of the season.

The Yanks are the only team that could pull off an event like this, honoring all the great players that have donned their uniform. Some of them weren’t even great, but they’re all beloved because of their contributions to the team. It’s like a big family reunion, it’s the one time a year we get to catch up with some old friends.

Sadly, one friend that won’t be in attendance today is Yogi Berra. Sweeny Murti reports that he fell in his home last night, and even though nothing is broken and he’s still in one piece, he’s bruised and sore and will not make the trip out. I know I’m not alone in wishing him a speedy recovery.

The Old Timer’s Day festivities begin at 2pm ET and can be seen on YES. LoHud has the exact schedule and the list of who’s attending, but I prefer to be surprised.

Yankees recall Logan, Marte to the DL

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The Yankees have recalled lefty reliever Boone Logan from Triple-A today, taking the place of Damaso Marte, who was placed on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. His shoulder started barking in Seattle, and he will begin a shoulder strengthening program. The Rays have some dangerous lefties in their lineup with Carl Crawford, John Jaso, Carlos Pena, and Matt Joyce, so it’s understandable why Joe Girardi would want another southpaw during Marte’s absence.

Meanwhile, Girardi indicated during his pre-game press conference that he would “do what’s best for the team” in the 8th inning, and that his players are going to have to “earn their roles.” Doesn’t exactly sound like a ringing endorsement of Joba Chamberlain, does it?