Record Last Week: 1-5 (18 RS, 30 RA)
Season Record: 38-31 (270 RS, 266 RA, 35-34 pythag. record), 3.0 games back in AL East
Opponents This Week: Mon. OFF, vs. Dodgers (two games, Tues. and Weds.), vs. Rays (four games, Thurs. to Sun..)

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees were off on Monday before opening a three-game series against the Athletics. Oakland bested CC Sabathia in the series opener before pounding Phil Hughes in the second game. The series ended with an embarrassing 18-inning loss to wrap up the sweep.
• Three games in Anaheim followed the sweep in Oakland, and the Yankees dropped the opener for their fourth straight loss on Friday. A fifth straight loss following the next day, but New York got off the skid and held on for a much-needed win yesterday.
• Injury Updates: Mark Teixeira (wrist) received a cortisone shot and is day-to-day with inflammation. Derek Jeter (ankle) has been cleared to resume baseball activities. Alex Rodriguez (hip) has resumed running the bases. Kevin Youkilis (back) has been placed on the 15-day DL. Frankie Cervelli (hand) has started playing catch. Michael Pineda (shoulder) threw 74 pitches in his latest rehab start. First rounder Eric Jagielo (hamstring) will miss a few weeks.
• The Yankees shook up the roster a bit on Friday, calling up outfielder Thomas Neal and right-hander Chris Bootcheck. Adam Warren was sent down following the marathon loss. Eduardo Nunez was placed on the 60-day DL and Cesar Cabral was outrighted to Double-A, meaning he cleared waivers and is officially Yankees property. The Rule 5 Draft rules no longer apply.
• Among the top ten round picks to sign this week were Jagielo ($1.84M), third rounder Mike O’Neill ($501k), fourth rounder Tyler Wade ($371k), fifth rounder David Palladino ($371k), sixth rounder John Murphy ($20k), and eighth rounder Brandon Thomas ($75k).
• The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks showed informal interest in acquiring A-Rod over the winter. The Yankees made two offers to free agent catcher David Ross over the winter, but they did not pursue Yasiel Puig. They also “already have interest” in Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco.
• For the second straight year, Robinson Cano will serve as the captain of the AL squad for the Homerun Derby.
• Orlando Hernandez will make his Old Timers’ Day debut this coming weekend.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 6-1 (29 RS, 18 RA)
Season Record: 37-26 (252 RS, 236 RA, 34-29 pythag. record), 1.5 games back in AL East
Opponents This Week: Mon. OFF, @ Athletics (three games, Tues. to Thurs.), @ Angels (three games, Fri. to Sun..)

Top stories from last week:

• The week started with three games against the Indians, and Mark Teixeira‘s grand slam gave them a much-needed win in the opener. They took the second game thanks to a big inning, then CC Sabathia threw a complete-game to finish off the sweep.
• The Yankees traveled to the West Coast next, taking the series opener against the Mariners on Thursday. They couldn’t hit Jeremy Bonderman in the second game, but Andy Pettitte led them to a win the next day. Chris Stewart‘s ninth inning hit gave the Bombers three wins in four games at Seattle.
• Injury News: Michael Pineda (shoulder) hit 95 mph during his first minor league rehab start on Sunday. Kevin Youkilis (back) is day-to-day. Eduardo Nunez (ribcage) has begun doing rotational work. Both Vidal Nuno (groin) and Brennan Boesch (shoulder) were placed on the Triple-A DL.
• Chien-Ming Wang opted out of his minor league contract and signed with the Blue Jays. The Yankees are included in Cliff Lee-s no-trade list. They released Ben Francisco, Clay Rapada, and Cody Eppley.
• The Yankees used their three first round draft picks on Notre Dame 3B Eric Jagielo, Fresno State OF Aaron Judge, and California HS LHP Ian Clarkin.
• Anthony Bosch tried to extort Alex Rodriguez before agreeing to cooperate with MLB and their Biogenesis investigation. A-Rod is one of 20 players the league is looking to suspend.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 1-6 (12 RS, 31 RA)
Season Record: 31-25 (223 RS, 218 RA, 29-27 pythag. record), 3.0 games back in AL East
Opponents This Week: vs. Indians (three games, Mon. to Weds.), @ Mariners (four games, Thurs. to Sun..)

Top stories from last week:

• The week opened with four games against the Mets, the first two at CitiField and the next two at Yankee Stadium. David Robertson blew a late least in the series opening loss, then Mariano Rivera did the same on Tuesday’s walk-off loss. The Yankees got blown out on Wednesday before the Amazin’s finished off the sweep on Thursday.
• The Red Sox came to town for a three-game weekend series, and CC Sabathia returned to form in the series opening win. Phil Hughes got pounded in the second game before Boston walked away with a rain-shorted win yesterday.
• Injury News: Michael Pineda (shoulder) had to be shut down for a few days with a cracked fingernail. Mark Teixeira (wrist), Kevin Youkilis (back), and Joba Chamberlain (oblique) were all activated off the DL, and Andy Pettitte (trap) is expected to come off the DL and start today.
• Chien-Ming Wang did not opt-out of his contract at Friday’s deadline because no other team made him a big league contract offer. The Yankees will continue to mine the scrap heap for a shortstop as Derek Jeter recovers from his ankle fracture. They also inquired about Mike Zagurski.
• Vidal Nuno and Ivan Nova were sent to Triple-A to clear roster spots while David Huff was designated for assignment. Francisco Rondon and Huff were both outrighted to Triple-A.
• Gary Sanchez ranked 16th on Keith Law’s midseason top 25 prospects list. There will not be an international draft in 2014, and in fact the owners and players’ union will hold off talks until the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in 2016.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 3-3 (27 RS, 28 RA)
Season Record: 30-19 (211 RS, 187 RA, 25-18 pythag. record), percentage points up in AL East
Opponents This Week: @ Mets (two games, Mon. and Tues.), vs. Mets (two games, Weds. and Thurs.), vs. Red Sox (three games, Fri. to Sun.)

Top stories from last week:

• The week began with three games in Baltimore, and the Yankees took the opener in extra innings. They suffered a walk-off loss on Tuesday and then dropped the rubber game on Wednesday.
• Following Thursday’s off-day, the Yankees headed to Tampa for a three-game weekend series against the Rays. They pounded their division rivals in Friday’s win, then made a dramatic comeback for Saturday’s win. CC Sabathia got rocked in the finale.
• Injury Updates: Curtis Granderson (pinky) was placed on the DL with a fracture after being hit by a pitch. The team won’t have an exact timetable for his return until he sees a specialist today. Mark Teixeira (wrist) will join Double-A Trenton for a rehab assignment on Wednesday. Michael Pineda (shoulder) is close to beginning a minor league rehab assignment. Andy Pettitte (trap) threw a bullpen session and will pitch in a simulated game on Tuesday. Eduardo Nunez (ribcage) suffered a setback and will be shut down for a few days. Both Hiroki Kuroda (calf) and David Phelps (forearm) are day-to-day after being hit by line drives.
• Ben Francisco was (finally) designated for assignment. Ivan Nova was activated off the DL and Dellin Betances was sent down to Triple-A Scranton. The Yankees claimed left-hander David Huff off waivers from the Indians and designated Francisco Rondon for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Albert Gonzalez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A.
• The Yankees teamed up with Manchester City to purchase an MLS expansion team. The Bombers own roughly one-quarter of the team, which will begin play in 2015 and could play a year in Yankee Stadium.
• The Yankees are among the teams with interest in Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. He is expected to be posted this coming winter.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 5-1 (24 RS, 15 RA)
Season Record: 23-13 (157 RS, 138 RA, 20-16 pythag. record), 1.0 games up in AL East
Opponents This Week: @ Indians (doubleheader, Mon.), vs. Mariners (three games, Tues. to Thurs.), vs. Blue Jays (three games, Fri. to Sun.)

Top stories from last week:

• Following Monday’s off-day, the Yankees opened a three-game interleague series with the Rockies in Colorado. Hiroki Kuroda made one bad pitch in Tuesday loss, but Brennan Boesch‘s late-inning hit gave the team a win the next day. New York took the finale following a lengthy mid-game rain delay.
• The Yankees went to Kansas City for a three-game weekend series next, and they put a hurtin’ on the Royals in the series opening win. They hung on for another win on Saturday, then completed the sweep yesterday.
• Injury News: Alex Rodriguez (hip) has resumed baseball activities. Frankie Cervelli (hand) is still five weeks away from doing anything baseball-related. Curtis Granderson (forearm) has started playing in minor league rehab games with Triple-A Scranton. Ivan Nova (triceps) made a minor league rehab start in Extended Spring Training, but he felt something in his side yesterday and has been shut down. Joba Chamberlain (oblique) will make a minor league rehab appearance on Tuesday. Eduardo Nunez (ribcage) was placed on the DL. Robinson Cano (foot) is fine after x-rays showed no break following a foul tip. David Robertson (hamstring) has since returned to action. Last year’s first rounder Ty Hensley (hip) is expected to miss the season following surgery.
• Infielder Alberto Gonzalez was acquired from the Cubs and subsequently called up when Nunez hit the DL. They Yankees are planning to call up David Adams on Wednesday, the first day he is eligible to join the big league team.
• Dellin Betances has been permanently shifted to the bullpen. A slew of minor leaguers were released, including Gil Velazquez, Cody Johnson, Ryan Pope, Juan Cedeno, and Shaeffer Hall.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 3-3 (21 RS, 26 RA)
Season Record: 18-12 (133 RS, 123 RA, 16-14 pythag. record), 1.5 games back in AL East
Opponents This Week: Mon. OFF, @ Rockies (three games, Tues. to Thurs.), @ Royals (three games, Fri. to Sun.)

Top stories from last week:

• The week opened with a three-game set against the Astros, who came to the Bronx and blew the Yankees out in the first game on Monday. The team had to grind for a win on Tuesday, then they held on to take the series finale the next day.
• Following Thursday’s off-day, the Yankees were shutout by the Athletics in the opener of their three-game series. Phil Hughes dominated in Saturday’s win, but a late-inning homer sent them to a loss yesterday.
• Injury News: Alex Rodriguez (hip) has been cleared to begin baseball activities. Michael Pineda (shoulder) is throwing in the mid-90s during Extended Spring Training games. Curtis Granderson (forearm) has started playing in Extended Spring Training games. Mark Teixeira (wrist) has started taking batting practice. Kevin Youkilis (back) and Joba Chamberlain (oblique) were placed on the DL while David Robertson (hamstring) and Eduardo Nunez (rib cage) are day-to-day. Ivan Nova (triceps) feels no pain and has started playing catch. Jose Campos confirmed he missed most of last year with a small fracture in his elbow.
• The Yankees are looking for a right-handed bat. They acquired infielder Chris Nelson from the Rockies in a minor trade, but he doesn’t satisfy their needs against left-handed pitchers. Nelson replace Corban Joseph on the roster, who was optioned back to Triple-A after being called up when Youkilis was placed on the DL.
• Cody Eppley was designated for assignment to clear room on the roster for Preston Claiborne, who was called up to take Joba’s spot on the roster. Eppley has since been outrighted to Triple-A.
• Chien-Ming Wang did not exercise the first opt-out clause in his contract. He has four more opt-out dates coming.
• Robinson Cano confirmed his new agents have yet to talk to the Yankees about a new contract.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 5-2 (24 RS, 24 RA)
Season Record: 15-9 (112 RS, 97 RA, 14-10 pythag. record), 2.5 games back in AL East
Opponents This Week: vs. Astros (three games, Mon. to Weds.), Thurs. OFF, vs. Athletics (three games, Fri. to Sun.)

Top stories from last week:

• The week opened with three games against the Rays in Tampa, and the Yankees dropped the opener because they couldn’t hit Matt Moore. Ichiro Suzuki got the big hit in Tuesday’s win, but they couldn’t do anything offensively in the series finale loss.
• The division rival Blue Jays then came to the Bronx for a four-game weekend set. Robinson Cano gave the Yankees a win with a go-ahead homer in the series opener, then they came back for another win on Friday. Travis Hafner carried the Yankees to their third straight win on Saturday before Lyle Overbay helped the team complete the rare four-game series sweep yesterday.
• Injury News: Frankie Cervelli (hand) will miss at least six weeks after suffering a fracture on a foul tip. Michael Pineda (shoulder) pitched in a simulated game and reportedly hit the low-90s. Ivan Nova (triceps) was placed on the 15-day DL with inflammation. Curtis Granderson (forearm) has started taking full swings. Mark Teixeira (wrist) is still limited to dry swings. Kevin Youkilis (back) returned to the lineup for one game but has since been sidelined with more stiffness. He will go for an MRI today. Triple-A outfielder Thomas Neal (hamstring) was placed on the DL. Minor league righty Nick Goody (elbow) had Tommy John surgery.
• Left-hander Vidal Nuno was called up from Triple-A to replace Nova while Austin Romine took Cervelli’s spot. Derek Jeter was placed on the 60-day DL to clear a 40-man roster spot for Nuno.
• There were further indications the Yankees may scrap the plan to get under the $189M luxury tax threshold in 2014 and beyond. The team did not offer Jose Valverde a contract this offseason.
• MLB is reportedly investigating Cano for some loose connections to Biogenesis. Top outfield prospect Mason Williams was arrested on a misdemeanor DUI charge.
• Eduardo Nunez is expected to fall just short of the Super Two cutoff after the season.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 4-2 (28 RS, 26 RA)
Season Record: 10-7 (88 RS, 73 RA, 10-7 pythag. record), 2.5 games back in AL East
Opponents This Week: @ Rays (three games, Mon. to Weds.), vs. Blue Jays (four game, Fri. to Sun.)

Top stories from last week:

• The week started with an off-day before the Diamondbacks came to town for the first interleague series of the year. The Yankees won both the first game and the second game of the series in come-from-behind fashion, but they were unable to complete the sweep on Thursday.
• The Yankees then headed up to Toronto for a three-game set with the new-look Blue Jays, and they blew their division rivals out in the series opener. They took the second game of the series in extra innings but couldn’t finish the sweep yesterday.
• Injury News: Derek Jeter (ankle) has a new fracture and will be out until after the All-Star break. He does not need surgery. Both Curtis Granderson (forearm) and Mark Teixeira (wrist) have been cleared to swing a bat. Michael Pineda (shoulder) is scheduled for his first simulated game since surgery this week. Kevin Youkilis (back) is day-to-day with some stiffness. Cesar Cabral (elbow) and Clay Rapada (shoulder) continue to rehab in Tampa.
• The Yankees will stick with their internal infield options following Jeter’s setback.
• The NHL is planning to have two outdoor games at Yankee Stadium next January.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 4-1 (36 RS, 14 RA)
Season Record: 6-5 (60 RS, 47 RA, 7-4 pythag. record), 1.0 game back in AL East
Opponents This Week: Mon. OFF, vs. Diamondbacks (three games, Tues. to Thurs.), @ Blue Jays (three games, Fri. to Sun.)

Top stories from last week:

• The week opened with a four-game series in Cleveland. The Yankees won the series opener as Robinson Cano finally broke out of his slump, then they won the second game in blowout fashion. The final two games of the series were rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on May 13th.
• The Yankees returned home to play the Orioles in a three-game set, and they took the opener thanks to an Adam Jones error and a triple play on Friday. Phil Hughes got pounded in Saturday’s loss, but Hiroki Kuroda threw a shutout in yesterday’s win.
• Injury News: Derek Jeter (ankle) is taking batting practice and doing some light running. Michael Pineda (shoulder) faced hitters in a live batting practice session for the first time since surgery. Curtis Granderson (forearm) has resumed throwing. Mark Teixeira (wrist) has not yet been cleared to swing a bat. Andy Pettitte (back) had his start pushed back to Friday. Alex Rodriguez (hip) has been cleared to run slowly on a treadmill. Eduardo Nunez (wrist) is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch. Cesar Cabral (elbow) was scheduled to pitch in game this weekend.
• The Yankees re-signed Clay Rapada to a minor league contract, and he recently threw a simulated game as he works his way back from shoulder bursitis. The “top of the Yankees hierarchy” was behind the Ichiro Suzuki re-signing.
• MLB suspects A-Rod of purchasing documents from the South Florida clinic Biogenesis regarding performance-enhancing drugs, but they don’t have any actual evidence.
• The Yankees will have between $1.18M and $1.88M to spend on international amateur players this year, depending on whether there is a worldwide draft or regular old free agency.
• Yankee Stadium is the “preferred venue” for an NHL game next January.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 2-4 (24 RS, 33 RA)
Season Record: 2-4 (24 RS, 33 RA, 2-4 pythag. record), 2.0 games back in AL East
Opponents This Week: @ Indians (four games, Mon. to Thurs.), vs. Orioles (three games, Fri. to Sun.)

Top stories from last week:

• The regular season finally got underway, but the Red Sox spoiled the Opening Day by beating CC Sabathia on Monday. Boston took the second game of the year following an off-day before Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera gave the Yankees their first win of 2013 on Thursday.
• The Yankees traveled to Detroit for a three-game weekend series, but both Ivan Nova and the bullpen got smacked around in Friday’s loss. Phil Hughes was activated off the DL and returned in Saturday’s game, but again the pitching was not good enough. Sabathia carried the team to a much-needed win yesterday.
• Injury News: Derek Jeter (ankle) started taking ground balls and hitting off a tee over the weekend. Mark Teixeira (wrist) was given the okay to remove his brace. Hiroki Kuroda (finger) is scheduled to make his next start after getting hit by a line drive. Eduardo Nunez (biceps) is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch. Ty Hensley (hip) will miss 2-3 months after having surgery.
• Robinson Cano fired Scott Boras and hired CAA Sports and Jay-Z’s new Roc Nation Sports agency. It’s unclear how (or if) the change will impact extension talks, but you have to think hiring Jay-Z increases the likelihood Cano will remain in New York.
• The Yankees officially released both David Aardsma and Clay Rapada, who were removed from the 40-man roster before the season. They never discussed Joba Chamberlain in a trade with the Rangers. Cody Eppley was optioned to Triple-A to clear room on the roster for Hughes.
• The Yankees set an all-time record with a $230.4M Opening Day payroll. Their draft pool will be worth a touch less than $8M this summer.
• Right-hander Rafael DePaula struck out 11 in his long-awaited U.S. debut as the minor league season got underway.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the interactive Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.