ByVia Bryan Hoch: Brian Cashman confirmed the Yankees will stick with their internal options on the infield in the wake of Derek Jeter’s setback. “We’re going to stay as we are,” said the GM. “Those guys have done a nice job. They’ve earned the right, and regardless, this time of year is certainly going to be a factor in anything that happens.”
Nunez, 25, is hitting just .184/.267/.211 (34 wRC+) in the early going this year while the 30-year-old Nix is at .172/.219/.276 (30 wRC+). That’s as bad as it gets right there. Nunez’s throwing has been much, much better these first few weeks, but that only goes so far. Teams usually aren’t looking to sell off pieces at this time of year anyway, so the Yankees are stuck with these two for the time being. Hopefully one of ‘em starts hitting. · (37) ·
Dan Martin spoke to RHP Ty Hensley, who will be out another few months following hip surgery. He said the hip problem caused repeated abdominal strains and prevented him from rotating properly during his delivery. Will be interesting to see how things go for him following the procedure. Also make sure you check out this Jonathan Lehman piece on C J.R. Murphy, who spoke about his defensive improvement and learning experience since turning pro.
Triple-A Scranton Game One (5-3 win over Syracuse in seven innings) makeup of yesterday’s rainout
- 2B Corban Joseph: 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 1 E (fielding) — nine hits in his last 24 at-bats (.375) with two doubles and two homers
- CF Melky Mesa & LF Zoilo Almonte: both 0-3 — Mesa struck out thrice but also threw a runner out at second
- 1B Dan Johnson: 0-0, 2 R, 3 BB — 12 strikeouts and ten walks in 12 games for the former International League MVP
- C Bobby Wilson: 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
- RHP Chien-Ming Wang: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 9/2 GB/FB — 51 of 74 pitches were strikes (69%) … first start of the year and that’s pretty darn close to vintage CMW right there
Saturday Night Open Thread
By · CommentsNot sure if you saw that play last night, but Jean Segura stole first base. As in he was standing on second, then he stole first. The rules allow runners to go backwards around the bases as long as it isn’t intended to make a mockery of the game, so … heads up play by Segura I guess? Definitely not something you see everyday. Or basically ever.
Anyway, here is tonight’s open thread. The Mets, Islanders, and Knicks are all playing as of right now (5pm ET). MLB Network is showing a game (who you see depends on where you live) plus the Nets are playing a little later on, otherwise you’re on your own in terms of entertainment. You folks know how this works, so have at it.
By3:13pm: Youkilis left the game with tightness in his lower back, the team announced. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and he left the game as a precaution on the turf. The YES cameras did show him sitting in the dugout, so that’s good.
2:42pm: Kevin Youkilis left this afternoon’s game against the Blue Jays for an unknown reason in the sixth inning. He hit a line drive single an inning earlier and looked fine, but Lyle Overbay replaced him at first base to start the bottom of the sixth. Stay tuned for updates. · (17) ·
Game 16: Back For More
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(Tom Szczerbowski/Getty)
The Yankees put a good hurtin’ on the Blue Jays last night, but this is baseball and yesterday’s score doesn’t mean anything. The Jays are desperate to prove they are legit and aren’t going to simply roll over following one blowout loss. These two teams will play each other six times in the next nine days, so this is as good a time as any for Toronto to prove themselves as AL East threats.
As for the Yankees, they just have to continue to weather the injury storm. They’ve done a pretty good job of that lately, winning eight of their last ten games. Here’s the lineup that will face finesse lefty Mark Buehrle…
- CF Brett Gardner
- DH Ben Francisco
- 2B Robinson Cano
- 1B Kevin Youkilis
- LF Vernon Wells
- C Frankie Cervelli
- RF Ichiro Suzuki
- SS Eduardo Nunez
- 3B Jayson Nix
And on the mound following his complete-game shutout of the Orioles, Hiroki Kuroda.
Apparently it’s snowing in Toronto, so the Rogers Center roof will be closed. This afternoon’s game is scheduled for 1:07pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.
ByVia Chad Jennings: Curtis Granderson and his fractured right forearm have gotten the okay to start taking some light swings. “He started taking some light swings, I believe … I know he’s been underwater doing it. He’s probably doing some light fungos now, but no ball I don’t think yet,” said Joe Girardi yesterday. Dan Martin confirmed the outfielder has indeed started swinging with a fungo bat.
Granderson, 32, was cleared to throw a little more than a week ago, but swinging is the big milestone. He missed all but five pitches of Spring Training, so his rehab stint is going to be longer than usual. Granderson has to start swinging a bat fully before he can hit in the cages and take batting practice, and he needs to do all of that before he can get into rehab games. It seems like he’s at least two and probably more like three or four weeks away from returning to the team. · (5) ·
Murphy continues hot hitting in Trenton loss
By · CommentsRHP Graham Stoneburner has been sent down to Double-A Trenton, reports Josh Norris. That clears room on the Triple-A Scranton roster for RHP Chien-Ming Wang. LHP Josh Romanski was placed on the DL to clear a roster spot for Stoneburner. Meanwhile, Wang’s debut with Triple-A Scranton was rained out. They’re going to play a doubleheader tomorrow. I assume he’ll pitch in one of those games. Low-A Charleston was rained out as well. Their doubleheader is scheduled for Sunday.
Double-A Trenton (6-2 loss to Erie)
- LF Ramon Flores: 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB — five walks and two strikeouts in his last five games
- C J.R. Murphy: 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB — six of his last eleven hits have gone for extra bases (three doubles, three homers)
- CF Slade Heathcott: 1-4, 3 K — 15 strikeouts in eight games
- RHP Caleb Cotham: 4 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 5/2 GB/FB — 54 of 81 pitches were strikes (67%)
- RHP Branden Pinder: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 5/0 GB/FB — 19 of 32 pitches were strikes (59%)
High-A Tampa (8-3 win over Daytona)
- CF Mason Williams: 1-4, 2 R, 2 BB — 13 walks and 12 strikeouts in 13 games
- 2B Rob Refsnyder: 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 BB — new level? no problem … been hitting all season
- LF Ben Gamel: 0-3, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
- C Gary Sanchez: 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
- DH Francisco Arcia: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB
- SS Jose Toussen: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E (missed catch)
- RHP Scottie Allen: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1HB, 8/4 GB/FB
- RHP Nick Goody: 1 IP, zeroes, 1/1 GB/FB — just off the DL
Game 15: North of the Border
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(Elsa/Getty)
Over the last few years, the Blue Jays were a team that was annoying tough to play against but ultimately inconsequential in terms of the AL East race. Their busy offseason suddenly turned them into the division favorites though, and tonight the Yankees will get their first look at their new-look competitors.
Moreso than the actual game, the most important thing tonight is Andy Pettitte‘s health. The veteran southpaw is making his third start of the season and first in ten days due to back problems. He’s thrown a few bullpen sessions these last few days and says he’s fine, but we really won’t if his pitching will be impacted in any way until he gets on the mound. These two teams play each other seven times in the next ten days, and you know Toronto is looking to make a statement. Here’s the lineup that will face right-hander Brandon Morrow…
- CF Brett Gardner
- 2B Robinson Cano
- 3B Kevin Youkilis
- DH Travis Hafner
- LF Vernon Wells
- RF Ichiro Suzuki
- SS Eduardo Nunez
- 1B Lyle Overbay
- C Frankie Cervelli
And on the mound is the ol’ reliable lefty, Andy Pettitte.
Tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 7:07pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.
