Hiroki Kuroda has settled in as a reliable starter for the Yankees in recent weeks, silencing concerns about his ability to adjust to the rough-and-tough AL East. As it turns out, switching leagues is hardly the toughest thing he’s had to endure in his baseball career. David Waldstein of The NY Times published a piece looking at Kuroda’s baseball upbringing in old school Japan, where physical abuse was an accepted and common form of punishment for failing at a game based on failure. It’s a great and in its own way, a terrifying read. Check it out, it gets RAB’s highest level of recommendation.
Sanchez homers in Sojo’s record-breaking win
In case you missed it earlier, the Yankees have sent RHP David Phelps down to Double-A Trenton in an expected move. RHP Mikey O’Brien was placed on the DL with a “bad toe,” freeing up a roster spot.
For what it’s worth, the Cubs had a scout watching Double-A Trenton tonight. Could be routine coverage, could be something else. Speculate at your own risk.
Triple-A Empire State (8-2 loss to Lehigh Valley)
SS Doug Bernier: 0-5, 1 K
2B Corban Joseph & RF Cole Garner: both 1-3, 1 BB — CoJo scored a run and struck out … Garner committed a throwing error
LF Ronnie Mustelier & DH Jack Cust: both 0-4 — Cust struck out in all four at-bats
1B Russell Branyan: 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 K
C Frankie Cervelli: 1-2, 1 BB, 1 HBP
3B Brandon Laird: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K — third straight game with a homer
CF Ray Kruml: 1-4, 1 K, 1 SB
RHP Adam Warren: 6 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 HB, 8/1 GB/FB — 54 of 99 pitches were strikes (54.5%) … hooray for the ground balls but goodness, miss a bat will ya
RHP Preston Claiborne: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2/5 GB/FB — 29 of 40 pitches were strikes (72.5%)
Update: Yankees release Matt Antonelli
July 5th: Antonelli has been released, the team announced. With David Adams and Corban Joseph entrenched at second base at the Double-A and Triple-A levels, respectively, there was just no spot for him.
July 1st: The Yankees have designated Matt Antonelli for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for the recently acquired Chad Qualls. The 27-year-old infielder had been claimed off waivers from the Orioles back in May and hit .200/.286/.320 in a dozen games for Triple-A Empire State. Antonelli has been on the DL for more than a month, so you won’t even notice he’s gone.
Full Circle: Mets claim Chris Schwinden
The Mets have claimed right-hander Chris Schwinden off waivers from the Yankees, the team announced. The Bombers claimed him from the Indians last week then designated him for assignment when they claimed Darnell McDonald off waivers from the Red Sox yesterday. Schwinden has gone full circle in the last month, going from the Mets to the Blue Jays, the Blue Jays to the Indians, the Indians to the Yankees, and the Yankees back to the Mets, all on waiver claims. Hopefully he can catch his breath a bit now.
Thursday Night Open Thread
The Yankees are off today, so this is a good time to pass along this NY Times story about Edwin Tavarez and Bryan Jimenez, a pair of Bronx high school students who also work as bat boys for the Yankees. When the team announced plans to build the New Stadium, they reached out to the community and its schools to fill future bat boy positions. Before you had to know a guy who knew a guy, stuff like that. It’s a fun and interesting read, plus the link includes a video that basically takes you through their day-to-day tasks. Make sure you check it out. (h/t BTF)
Once you’ve done that, use this as your open thread. The Mets are playing the Phillies tonight with a primo pitching matchup, R.A. Dickey vs. Cole Hamels. The Giants and Nationals (Cain vs. Detwiler) will be on MLB Network as well. You folks know what to do by now, so have at it.
2012 Draft: Yankees “close” to signing sixth rounder Rob Refsnyder
Scouting director Damon Oppenheimer told Josh Norris that the Yankees are “close” to signing sixth rounder 2B/OF Rob Refsnyder, though the deal is not done yet. Refsnyder was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player two weeks ago after leading his Arizona Wildcats to the national championship. Based on his Twitter feed, he’s in Tampa at the moment.
In other news, Oppenheimer said the Yankees are still “trying” to hammer out a deal with first rounder Ty Hensley. When asked if the two sides were close, he said he “thinks so.” The deadline to sign draft picks is next Friday, July 13th. You can see all of New York’s picks at Baseball America and keep track of the financial situation at our Draft Pool page.
Yankees send David Phelps to Double-A Trenton
Via Josh Norris and Mike Ashmore, the Yankees have sent right-hander David Phelps down to Double-A Trenton. The move clears a 25-man roster spot for Darnell McDonald, meaning New York will have an 11-man pitching staff and a five-man bench during the four games in Boston. Phelps will start for the Thunder on Monday, his regular turn. Expected and smart move, plus it keeps him away from the traveling Triple-A circus.