Jeter, SS
Damon, LF
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Matsui, DH
Swisher, RF
Cano, 2B
Melky, CF
Cervelli, C
And on the mound, CC Sabathia.
Notes: Ian Kennedy has an aneurysm … Steven Jackson was DFA’ed to make room on the 40-man for Kevin Cash
by Mike
Jeter, SS
Damon, LF
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Matsui, DH
Swisher, RF
Cano, 2B
Melky, CF
Cervelli, C
And on the mound, CC Sabathia.
Notes: Ian Kennedy has an aneurysm … Steven Jackson was DFA’ed to make room on the 40-man for Kevin Cash
by Mike 24 Comments
PeteAbe has the terrible news. Ian Kennedy has an aneurysm, which was causing him to lose feeling in his fingers, and will have surgery on Tuesday. The problem was originally diagnosed as a vasospasm and didn’t appear too serious. Dr. George Todd will perform the surgery, he’s the same guy that took care of David Cone’s aneurysm back in 1996. Just horrible, our thoughts are with Ian and his family.
Yeah, it’s a bit hackneyed, but it’s still a damn good idea from the folks at New Stadium Insider. There’s a lot of complaining going on in Yankeeland right now, which makes sense because there’s a lot to complain about. One exception is Johnny Damon, who is not only turning in a solid season to date, but is doing it in a timely fashion, knocking in runners that no one else can pick up. We might as well celebrate the guy who’s doing everything in his power to overcome the team’s futility of late. Plus, Johnny’s been taking advantage of the short porch more than ever this season, knocking six of his seven homers at home.
The only issue at this point is of how to print out these puppies. Anyone work in the printing business?
We expected the Yankees to make a number of roster moves today, and via RotoWorld we find the first of them (you might have to scroll down, depending on when you see this). On the ledger now: Melancon down, Molina disabled, Cash up. With two players removed from the 25-man roster, that leaves one for A-Rod. However, purchasing Kevin Cash’s requires a 40-man roster move. That will more than likely be the DFAing of Angel Berroa, which would open up yet another 25-man spot. Here’s to hoping that Juan Miranda gets the call to deepen the bench a bit. He’d be valuable as a PH with two backup catchers on the roster.
I don’t really need to harp on just how bad the Yankees bullpen has been over the last few weeks, but stick with me for a minute.
After last night’s loss dropped the team to 3-9 over the last 12 games, the bullpen’s season numbers are horrific. In 92 innings this year, the pen has put together a 6-6 record with a 6.26 ERA. The combined might of the Yankee relievers has resulted in 95 hits — 21 of which have left the park — as well as 49 walks.
One of the few bullpen right spots in the early going was Brian Bruney. In nine appearances spanning eight innings, Bruney had allowed 3 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He had struck out 12 and had claimed the set-up spot as part of the Bridge to Mowhere.
But it was not to last. The oft-injured Bruney found himself on the disabled list 15 days ago. Initially, the Yankees said the right-hander would return after the minimum, but the news now is not quite as sunny. Bruney threw yesterday for the first time since Sunday, and while he reported no pain, he says he still needs at least another two weeks to ramp up his arm to game-ready condition.
For now, the Yankee bullpen will have to keep it together for a few more weeks, but the more interesting aspect of Bruney’s injury is how he thinks he got it. A few weeks ago, he said he was working too hard in between starts. Now, he says that a long instant-replay review caused him to overextend himself. Bruney is talking about the Yanks’ April 19th victory over the Indians when a Jorge Posada pinch-hit fly ball just cleared the right field fence. Mike and I were at that game, and it took the umpires nearly 10 minutes to reach a decision upon review.
“There’s no reason to have an 8 1/2 minute delay,” Bruney said to reporters yesterday. “In my opinion, that’s why I did get hurt. I didn’t know if that umpiring crew is going to come out in 30 seconds or two minutes. So I’ve got to keep throwing.”
Of course, Bruney then admitted that he threw more pitches than normal during a side session to keep warm. Perhaps he’s just looking for scapegoats as injured players are wont to do. Either way, Bruney brings up a valid point: The instant replay reviews should be time-limited. Umpires don’t need that much time to review a call. Two or three minutes should be ample.
In the end, while the Yanks won that April game in an exciting fashion, they lost Bruney, a key cog, in the process. For now, they’ll just have to get by without him.
by Mike 92 Comments
The three of us have been extremely fortunate with RAB. The site has become more popular than I think we ever imagined, and our readership continues to grow by the day. More readers means more comments, and unfortunately more comments means more problems. We implore everyone – whether you’re a seasoned RAB vet or a total newbie – to review our Commenting Guidelines. We don’t have many rules here, but the ones we do have are important and are enforced.
We understand the Yanks are in the middle of a brutal slump, but we have to keep things in perspective. They’ve played just 28 games, not 128. The three of use are every bit as frustrated with the team as you, but that frustration doesn’t give you a green light to personally attack your fellow readers. We’ve always asked that if you disagree with something someone’s written, attack the idea, not the person. This goes for everyone, not just those new to the site or others who some may perceive as favorite.
(Note by Joe: Read this article, at least the part until he pimps his book. No one’s going to take the advice, but I figured I’d throw it out there in an attempt to reduce the personal attacks in the comments.)
To paraphrase a long lost commentor, River Ave. Blues is more or less for the intelligent fan. We’ve been lucky enough to establish a strong community of rational fans who are willing to defend their beliefs with facts rather than spout off nonsense based on pure emotion. If someone posts something idiotic, don’t go out of your way to call it that. Most people will silently agree with you, and responding to trash only leads to more trash.
This is just a friendly reminder from Ben, Joe and myself. We thank everyone who’s made RAB part of their lives, and we look forward to watching the team turn things around and finishing the year strong.