A few hours ago, Joe examined the recent spate of arm injuries currently plaguing the Yankee farm system. One of those pitchers is on the mend. Ian Kennedy, five months removed from an aneurysm in his throwing arm, tossed a simulated game yesterday in Tampa. He threw 22 of 33 pitches for strikes and said afterward that he felt good. While Kennedy doesn’t expect to pitch in any of the Minor League playoff games, he will throw a 50-pitch simulated game on Saturday and plans to pitch in both an instructional league this month and the Arizona Fall League starting in October. With a strong fall and a solid spring, Kennedy will be in the mix for a spot on the Big League club next year.
Quick Hits: IPK, the Boss and Yom Kippur baseball
Drive-time link dump, here we go:
Ian Kennedy throws first BP session since April
Working his way back from an aneurysm, Yankee prospect Ian Kennedy threw his first bullpen session today since April. The right-hander threw 30 pitches from the mound and said he felt good. “It was fun to finally get some competitive juices flowing and to see some hitters,” he said to the AP reporter who stakes out the Yanks’ complex in Tampa. “I’m surprised I wasn’t tired at the end.”
Kennedy will throw another BP session on Saturday before getting in some tosses during a simulated game on Tuesday. He will join an instructional league team later this month and pitch in the Arizona Fall League in October. If all goes well, he should factor into the Yanks’ plans for 2010. Lost amidst this injury was the fact that Kennedy had a better start to his AAA season this year than Phil Hughes did.
In other injury news, Brett Gardner is set to join AAA Scranton tomorrow for a rehab assignment. He’ll be back some time next week.
Steinbrenner Yankeeography to debut tonight
At 11 p.m. or following the completion of the Yankees-Orioles game, the YES Network will debut the George Steinbrenner edition of their acclaimed Yankeeography series. Marc Carig offered up his take:
After seeing the clips, I wanted to keep watching, which I suppose is the point. The producers do a good job of capturing Steinbrenner’s many sides and interests. A bit about the Boss and his family life is particularly touching. Looking back, it’s easy to gain an appreciation for what Steinbrenner did to turn the ailing franchise around when he bought the team.
Carig notes that the YES-produced bio is a bit light on the criticism, and The Post echoed those sentiments today. It doesn’t delve much into the history of George’s legal troubles or his run-ins with baseball’s Powers-That-Be.
Yom Kippur game moved to 1 p.m.
Displaying a bit of religious sensitivity, Major League Baseball has agreed to move the Sunday, September 27 game between the Red Sox and the Yankees to 1 p.m. Originally slated as an afternoon game, MLB moved it to 8 p.m. a few weeks ago at the request of ESPN. Sunset on Sunday though marks the start of Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. At the request of Jewish leaders and Congressman Anthony Weiner, baseball has agreed to move the game back to its original 1 p.m. start time, and my parents, ticketholders for the day, are happy to hear it.
Some self-promotion
I stopped by the YES studios last week to film a short web appearance on Pinstriped Weekly. While the video isn’t as timely today as it was last week, check it out right here.
Kennedy: ‘It doesn’t feel like anything ever happened’
Chad Jennings checks in with a report on rehabbing hurler Ian Kennedy, who made a brief cameo in the Triple-A Scranton clubhouse yesterday. “It feels good,” Kennedy said. “It doesn’t feel like anything ever happened. It’s a long process, but I understand we have to be on the cautious side because if something did happen, I’d be pretty upset at myself for pushing it.” IPK has been throwing 35-pitch bullpen sessions in Tampa, working on all four pitches to both sides of the dish.
He’s not going to make it into a game before the minor league season ends in a little over a week, so instead Kennedy will head to instructional league at the end of September before reporting to the Arizona Fall League. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to seeing him at full strength next spring.
Kennedy to pitch in fall league
Ian Kennedy, rehabbing his way back from an arm aneurysm, spoke to reporters about his rehab plans today. The Yankees’ right-hander said that he probably won’t pitch in a Minor League game this season but will return to competitive action next month in one of the fall instructional leagues. Kennedy has been throwing his fastball and changeup during recent mound sessions, and while the AP says he will pitch in the Arizona Fall League this year, based on the eligibility requirements, Kennedy shouldn’t be able to play there. While he fits the service time requirement, he will not be off the Minor League DL 45 days prior to the end of the season. Rosters for the AzFL teams will be released soon.
Kennedy tosses from a mound, but ’09 return unlikely
As Chien-Ming Wang has struggled and Phil Hughes has landed in the bullpen, the Yanks have struggled to find an adequate fifth starter. While I’m not too thrilled at the prospects of another Sergio Mitre start, the Yanks sound as though they are heading down that path. One pitcher — Ian Kennedy — never had his chance this year. Prior to coming down with an aneurysm, Kennedy was 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in four starts for AAA Scranton. He had a 25:7 K:BB ratio in 22.2 innings and would have had ample opportunity to earn that fifth starter role had injury not struck.
Today, we hear that Kennedy has thrown 25 pitches from a mound for the first time since April and will do so again on Friday. The 24-year-old wants to pitch in a Minor League game before the season ends on Sept. 7. Ticketed to winter ball, Kennedy unfortunately won’t make it back to the Bronx this year but should be in the picture come 2010. (Thanks to all who sent a tip about Kennedy to us. Keep on using that contact form.)
Kennedy throws off “mini-mound”
Mini-mound? That’s a new one to me, but apparently it’s just a mound that’s only 5-inches high. Anyway, Ian Kennedy threw 25 pitches off one today, and plans to do it again on Friday. “Another hurdle cleared,” Kennedy said. “I felt really good. I’m happy with that. I’m happy with the progress. I’m still on schedule and haven’t had any problems yet. ” IPK also said that he saw a doctor last week and that everything is going well. He hopes to get into a game before the minor league season ends, and will head to the Puerto Rican Winter League one way of the other.
Imagine if he ends up taking Mitre’s place in September. That would be something.
Kennedy’s rehab progressing
Less than three months after having surgery to remove an aneurysm from under his right armpit, Oam Ian Kennedy is rehabbing down in Tampa and making 50 throws at 90 feet. “It feels really good. Doesn’t feel like anything ever happened,” said Kennedy, who hopes to get into a few games before the minor league season ends in early September. Regardless, the former first rounder plans on heading to the Puerto Rican Winter League for a second straight year to get some innings in. Fingers crossed, but so far everything sounds good for IPK.
Oh, and it’s good to see Danny Borrell land a coaching gig in the organization as mentioned in the article. It’s a shame injuries derailed his once promising career, but he deserves nothing but the best. Tremendous person and the classiest of class acts.
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