New York Yankees News

Joba finally has solid spring outing
Comment
March 18
The Journal News
 
"Expectations have always been high for Joba Chamberlain. They were high when the Yankees made him a supplemental first-round pick, they were high when he rushed to the major leagues in his first professional season, and they were especially high when the Yankees decided his potential as a starting pitcher outweighed his talent as a late-inning reliever. Through his first two outings this spring, it was only those expectations that kept Chamberlain in the hunt for the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation. He was wild and ineffective, but the Yankees believed he would do better. They expected him to do better. On Wednesday, he lived up to the hype. In his third spring appearance, Chamberlain ..."
Marte hurts back in 1st outing
Comment
March 18
New York Post
 
"Damaso Marte's first outing of the spring started badly and ended with a scare that forced him out of the game. Marte, the only reliable lefty in Yankees manager Joe Girardi's bullpen, was drilled in the lower back by a Ryan Howard liner in the fifth inning yesterday. Marte bent at the waist for a while and was walked off the field by trainer Steve Donohue and Girardi. "It hurts right now, but it's OK," Marte said in the clubhouse during a 6-2 Yankees' loss to the Phillies at Bright House Field. "It's good." "It wasn't near the vertebrae, but he will be sore," Girardi said. "He is supposed to throw [tomorrow]. We will see.""
Time to stop thinking of Joba as a phenom
Comment
March 18
New York Post
 columnist Mike Vaccaro
"The problem with Joba Chamberlain, in so many ways, isn't the version of him we see in March of 2010. It is the version of him that we remember from August of 2007. It is the memory of how dominant, how precocious, how bulletproof he was in his first hours as a major leaguer. Nobody could sustain that. Nobody ever has sustained that. Dwight "Doc" Gooden might have been the ace of the Mets staff for eight more years after his stardust-frosted 1985 season, but he was never quite as untouchable. Bob Feller had most of the best years he ever would have before he was 30 years old. He remained a winning pitcher, just not a phenom. Phenoms, by definition, aren't supposed to last. Maybe it's ..."
Joba solid in 3-inning outing versus Phillies
Comment
March 18
New York Post
 
"Compared with his previous outing, yesterday's performance by Joba Chamberlain was an improvement and kept him in the hunt for the fifth starter's spot. Yet how good was it? Hours after not dismissing a question about the possibility of Chamberlain opening the season at Triple-A, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Chamberlain was "outstanding" against the Phillies at Bright House Field. Chamberlain, who was pleased with his outing said, "That's me." The chorus from the scouting fraternity wasn't as complimentary. "He wasn't as bad as he has been, but he had trouble repeating his delivery and his arm slot was moving," said a scout who watched the 6-2 Phillies' win. "He has got to command his ..."
Good outing puts Joba Chamberlain back in race for fifth spot
Comment
March 18
New York Daily News
 
"Joba Chamberlain did not need Yogi Berra around to tell him that, after just 3-2/3 innings, it had suddenly gotten late early for him this spring. Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland had made that clear to him before he took the mound Wednesday at Bright House Field against what turned out to be mostly the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and not the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies. No matter, Joba apparently got the message, or so Girardi contended in assessing the Yankee pitching prodigy's four innings of two-hit, one-run ball. "I thought he was outstanding," the Yankee manager said. "He worked quickly, attacked the zone. He's just got to go out and pitch more." According to Girardi, Joba's ..."
Facing live hitters again, NY Yankees starter A.J. Burnett labors in victory over Houston Astros
Comment
March 17
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"After throwing 66 pitches and securing only seven Houston outs, A.J. Burnett did not want to leave. He hadn't faced live batters in 10 days. His arm felt strong. Yet Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland still trotted from the dugout to fetch him. Burnett yielded. "I've got to finish some innings here," Burnett said midway through an eventual 3-1 victory over the Astros. "I'm tired of seeing Dave coming out there." So far this spring, Burnett has thrown 3 2/3 frames. His brief output on the mound is partly due to the weather. It's partly due to experimentation with a changeup, a third pitch he hopes will compliment his four-seam fastball and hammer curve. And on Tuesday night, it was partly ..."
Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes impresses again in battle for fifth starter spot
Comment
March 17
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"On Tuesday night, Phil Hughes threw a first-pitch changeup at one point. And he threw a 2-1 changeup with men on base. Last year, he wouldn't have done that. This year, he needed to do that. "I think the only time to really get that work in is in games," Hughes said after a 3-1 Yankees victory against the Houston Astros. "You can throw them in the bullpen all day long and really it's just not the same." Hughes surged ahead in the race for the fifth starter position on Tuesday. While Joba Chamberlain battles to secure any outs, Hughes dabbled with a fourth pitch, a changeup to compliment his fastball, curveball and cutter. He chugged through four scoreless innings, with three hits ..."
Get used to seeing this order
Comment
March 17
New York Post
 columnist Mike Vaccaro
"Yankees manager Joe Girardi insists he didn't spend his winter obsessing over the chore, didn't fold his brain inside-out trying to figure out the best way to craft the central object of his professional life. But he did think about it enough. "Your batting order," he said with a laugh, "is pretty important, you know." So it was that yesterday, early, before any of his players were anywhere near Steinbrenner Field, before the media arrived in its daily onslaught, before the usual 10,000 or so fans would come to watch the Yankees and the Astros X another day off the spring calendar by playing each other in an exhibition game, Girardi sat in front of his computer and printed out his lineup."
Joba Chamberlain pitches on St. Patrick's day for New York Yankees with spot in rotation on line
Comment
March 17
New York Daily News
 
"Has an outing on St.Patrick's Day ever been more important for a pitcher than today's game is for Joba Chamberlain? After Chamberlain was roughed up in each of his first two games this spring, his odds of landing the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation have fallen significantly. When camp opened, he was considered to be the co-favorite for the spot with Phil Hughes, but after giving up 11 runs in 3-2/3 innings, he's fallen behind Hughes, Alfredo Aceves and Sergio Mitre, making today's outing a pivotal one for the 24-year-old. "The bottom line is, it's time for these guys to put up or shut up," said pitching coach Dave Eiland. "All of them. I don't mean to sound cold; that's just the way it ..."
Mariano Rivera looks and feels good in spring training debut
Comment
March 17
New York Daily News
 
"Spring training has finally started for Mariano Rivera. The reliever made his first appearance of the spring Tuesday night, pitching a scoreless fourth inning against the Astros. Rivera allowed a hit and walked a batter, striking out one while throwing 27 pitches. "It's work," Rivera said of his unusually high pitch count. "It's good, because it's not six, seven or eight pitches. You need to throw to build strength. That's what I did." A year ago, Rivera was returning from shoulder surgery, unsure how his arm would respond. He called last night "day and night" from last year."
Yankees keep eye on Minnesota's contract talks with catcher Joe Mauer
Comment
March 17
New York Daily News
 columnist Bill Madden
"Like everyone else in baseball, the Yankee high command is watching with keen interest how the Joe Mauer negotiations with the Minnesota Twins play out this spring. Unlike most other teams, however, the Yankees have both the financial resources to afford the MVP catcher as well as the surplus of talent it would take to acquire him should the contract talks reach an impasse and the Twins elect to put him on the trade market. Indeed, if there is one area where the Yankees are rich in prospects it is catching where Jesus Montero and Austin Romine are rated by most scouts as can't-miss major leaguers. The question is, which of them - if either - will be the one to succeed Jorge Posada. A bunch ..."
From Start, Johnson Fit Profile Yankees Wanted
Comment
March 17
New York Times
 
"Even at the start of his career, in the early 2000s with the Yankees, it was obvious Nick Johnson was stubborn at the plate. It remains the only way he knows how to hit. The deeper the count, the more pitches he sees, the more comfortable Johnson feels. But there are times when his extraordinary plate discipline works against him, when he finds himself letting good pitches go by. A veteran teammate, Gerald Williams, once told Johnson to swing at the first pitch, no matter where it was. The little indulgence immediately snapped his slump. So Johnson was somewhat unsure what to make of his .426 on-base percentage last season. The only major leaguers ranked ahead of him were the most ..."
Yanks' rules of order: no logjam of left-handers
Comment
March 16
Bergen Record
 
"In the month since Yankees' pitchers and catchers reported to camp, a few issues - such as the batting order - seem to be settling into place, while the final pitching decisions might go to the wire. With just 19 days until the Yankees begin defense of their world championship at Fenway Park, here's a look at what's left. The lineup Entering spring training, manager Joe Girardi said that finding the right batting order was his No. 1 priority. Some mixing and matching was expected, but from the start he seemed to prefer the following lineup: 1. Derek Jeter, 2. Nick Johnson, 3. Mark Teixeira, 4. Alex Rodriguez, 5. Robinson Cano, 6. Jorge Posada, 7. Curtis Granderson, 8. Nick Swisher, 9. ..."
Did A-Rod meet with the feds?
Comment
March 16
New York Post
 
"If federal investigators used Alex Rodriguez's two-day break from spring training to talk to him about a relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, they did it in Miami, where Rodriguez spent Sunday and yesterday. Manager Joe Girardi gave Rodriguez (and Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada) Sunday off. And yesterday was dark on the Yankees' schedule. Rodriguez said "this is about someone else," but it was surgery on his right hip last spring that led him to Galea, who admitted he treated the Yankees' third baseman with anti-inflammatory drugs. The Yankees and Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the hip surgery, didn't give Rodriguez permission to be treated by Galea, who is an admitted HGH user and had ..."
Jeter's upcoming deal is all about the time
Comment
March 16
New York Post
 columnist Mike Vaccaro
"There is no question Derek Jeter is going to remain a Yankee beyond this year. Four years? Five years? $100 million? $130 million? More? Those are details that will arrive later, when time and necessity dictate. The Yankees know what Jeter means to them, and to their fans. Jeter knows what the Yankees mean to him, to his legacy, to his place in history. It is a marriage destined to continue, and one that should continue, especially if Jeter has a 2010 that resembles 2009, when one of the five best shortstops ever born had one of his finest offensive seasons, when he addressed his lacking defense and responded with as strong a season with the glove as anyone could have asked. Jeter is not ..."
Long shot for fifth starter gives Yankees an 'Ace' in the hole
Comment
March 16
New York Post
 
"The Yankees would rather tweet George Steinbrenner's home phone number to every Twitter subscriber than reveal who is leading the fifth-starter derby. Yet, it's clear that one of the two favorites entering the race -- Joba Chamberlain -- is far off the pace being set by surprise front-runner Alfredo Aceves. This is the only issue in a camp with little juice. We won't know about Curtis Granderson until June. We won't know if Nick Johnson can avoid injury until he does. We won't know if Nick Swisher can duplicate last year's solid season until September. Javier Vazquez? It will take time to evaluate his second Yankees stint."
Teixeira proud of his defense at first base for New York Yankees
Comment
March 16
New York Daily News
 
"Mark Teixeira delivered plenty of highlights with his bat in his debut season with the Yankees, leading the AL in home runs (39), RBI (122) and total bases (344). But when Teixeira thinks back to last year, it's not those numbers that get him excited. "I've always taken pride in my defense, but last year felt like the first time that it translated into championship baseball and winning games for the team," Teixeira said. "We have guys that can hit home runs and we have pitchers that can strike guys out. But I saw how playing good first base throughout the season and in the playoffs literally won games for us, and how that allowed us to win a championship." Teixeira's defense was ..."
CC Sabathia on track
Comment
March 15
Bergen Record
 
"In 4 1/3 innings against the Pirates' regular lineup, CC Sabathia found the rhythm missing in his last start — when Pittsburgh hammered him for five runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. "I felt a lot better … more together," Sabathia said, after giving up three runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in a 10-5 loss at McKechnie Field. Akinori Iwamura hit a solo homer, aided by a gusting wind. The other two runs were inherited by Jonathan Albaladejo. Sabathia came out at 57 pitches (his limit was 60), but there was a slight scare as athletic trainer Steve Donohue raced to the mound when Andy LaRoche's single seemed to deflect off Sabathia's pitching hand. Rather, it nicked his ..."
Robinson Cano in 5-hole for Yankees
Comment
March 15
Bergen Record
 
"Welcome to the heart of the Yankees' batting order, Robinson Cano. When the Yanks' Grapefruit League schedule resumes Tuesday, manager Joe Girardi might pencil in the same lineup that he'll use on opening night – one with Cano batting fifth, between Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada. "He's got so much ability," said Girardi, speaking about Cano's progression as a middle-of-the-order presence. That time has come. "To me, Robby's not a young player, even though he's young on this team. "I consider Robby a veteran player." Entering his sixth big-league season, Cano doesn't feel like a player who has paid all his dues, "Not with all those veteran guys in front of me," he said. "You have to keep ..."
NY Yankees' ace CC Sabathia can feel his big step forward
Comment
March 15
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"As he's racked up innings through the years, CC Sabathia has developed a keen sense of what's happening with the moving parts in his body that are required to throw a baseball. It's a critical sense for any pitcher who hopes to learn an important skill: the ability to self-correct. But for the first few starts of spring training, Sabathia had lost his feel and his ability to quickly adjust his mechanics. So, guess what he found on Sunday? While Sabathia allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 10-5 loss to the Pirates, the numbers hid the most important development. The Yankees' ace showed signs of improvement, which led to a cleaner outing, especially when it came to the smoothness of his ..."
Cano ready to move up
Comment
March 15
The Journal News
 
"It's been five years since Robinson Cano arrived in New York as a 22-year-old, fresh off a hot streak in Triple-A. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting that season, and the next year became the Yankees' only homegrown all-star to debut in the past decade. Cano has hit for average and he's hit for power, but for his career, nearly 80 percent of his at-bats have come batting sixth or lower in the batting order. That's going to change this season. Manager Joe Girardi said his next spring training lineup will "really resemble" his projected Opening Day lineup, and it will have Cano batting fifth, behind Alex Rodriguez and ahead of Jorge Posada. "He's always been somewhat ..."
CC looks sharp ... unhurt in liner scare
Comment
March 15
New York Post
 columnist Mike Vaccaro
"The baseball had barely touched the outfield grass when Steve Donahue and Dave Eiland were off the bench, out of the dugout and on their way to the pitcher's mound at McKechnie Field. This would be odd, this urgent duo of trainer and pitching coach, given that to every eye inside the picturesque park it seemed like a routine base hit off the bat of Adam LaRoche, a line drive up the middle that didn't seem to cause the pitcher any undue stress. Except the person in the line of fire was one Carsten Charles Sabathia. And suddenly it made perfect sense. "The ball just ticked off my glove," Sabathia would explain later. "No big deal at all." But he is CC Sabathia, and he is the ace of the World ..."
Robinson Cano ready to shoulder No. 5 spot for Yanks
Comment
March 15
New York Post
 
"The time has come for Robinson Cano to add his enormous hitting talent to the meat of the Yankees' batting order. Ever since arriving in the big leagues on May 3, 2005, the sweet- swinging Cano has been comfort ably surrounded and protected by the likes of Derek Jeter, Alex Rod riguez, Johnny Damon, Mark Teix eira, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu, Gary Sheffield and Jorge Posada. Those studs allowed Cano to live in the lower half of the lineup, where the pressure to produce isn't as strong as it is higher up. Now, with Matsui gone to the Angels, Cano is likely to be elevated to fifth in the order to bat after Rodriguez and in front of Posada. "He is ready for the next step," ..."
With third outing, New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is feeling OK
Comment
March 15
New York Daily News
 
"After a pair of outings that CC Sabathia described as "so-so" and "terrible," the big lefthander finally walked off the mound pleased with his day's work. Sabathia was charged with three runs over 4-1/3 innings Sunday in the Yankees' 10-5 loss to the Pirates, although two of them were inherited runners that Jonathan Albaladejo allowed to score. Sabathia had struggled with his delivery in each of his first two starts, failing to correct a mechanical flaw. He didn't have any problems with that yesterday, his lone mistake being a third-inning wind-aided solo homer by Akinori Iwamura. "I felt more together," Sabathia said. "My fastball felt more crisp, the cutters were good, down in the dirt, ..."
Yankees see Robinson Cano moving up in batting order
Comment
March 15
New York Daily News
 
"Robinson Cano is ready to take the fifth. No, the Yankees' second baseman isn't being dragged into any federal investigations like his teammate, Alex Rodriguez. But Joe Girardi revealed Sunday that Cano is the likely candidate to replace Hideki Matsui in the No. 5 slot in the batting order, giving the 27-year-old a chance to solidify himself as a middle-of-the-order presence. "I think it's always been somewhat projected that he would move up in the lineup," Girardi said. "He's got so much ability and tools, but with young players, sometimes you want to ease him in. To me, Robbie's not a young player anymore, even though he's young on this team." If Cano is going to succeed in that spot, he ..."
Yanks' Alfredo Aceves tries not to think too much
Comment
March 14
Bergen Record
 
"There is enough real-life matter happening in Alfredo Aceves' everyday world - things he ranks far ahead of any trivial pursuit, such as gauging the Yankees' field of No. 5 starters. "I have enough problems. I don't need any more," said Aceves, who then listed his chief concerns. "My family," he said. "My car." So, the struggle to gain some attention in this long-shot candidacy to win the No. 5 starter's job has not exactly kept Aceves awake at night. "I just throw the ball. I don't think so much," said Aceves, who gave up one run in four innings Saturday, during the Yankees' 5-3 win over Baltimore at Steinbrenner Field. "So far, I feel good.""
For NY Yankees, fifth card in hand could be an 'Ace'
Comment
March 14
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"To illustrate his point, Alfredo Aceves placed his right hand under his chin and pushed up to lift his head. "I'll go wherever I'll go with my face up," the Yankees right-hander said on Saturday afternoon. "No matter what happens." Aceves has had plenty of reason to hold his head high as he's made a strong early push to land the final open spot in the Yankees' starting rotation. Aceves' latest effort came in a 5-3 split squad win against the Orioles, in which Aceves allowed a homer and little else. If indeed the Yankees intend to give Aceves and equal shake at the job, he's so far done all he can. "He looked real good," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I thought he threw the ball ..."
Yankees' Nick Johnson finding right approach?
Comment
March 14
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Nick Johnson took his position on the carpeted clubhouse floor and reached over his outstretched legs to touch his toes, keeping his eye on the game in progress on Saturday afternoon by watching the flat-screen television on the wall. Typically, Johnson would see the game from his familiar perspective, at first base. But the Yankees signed Johnson to be a designated hitter this season, which is why he's been in the process of developing a routine to keep his body limber between innings. Despite his first foray into a full-time DH role, it seems that Johnson's on the right track. Johnson went 2-for-3, including an opposite field double to left field, in a 5-3 split-squad win against the ..."
Alex Rodriguez needs to answer why he had to see Dr. Galea for anti-inflammatory drugs
Comment
March 14
New York Daily News
 columnist Mike Lupica
"Here is the question that Alex Rodriguez will eventually have to answer, for the feds, for the Yankees, for Major League Baseball. It doesn't have to be the first question he is asked, but it is still one that requires not just an answer, but a straight one: Why exactly did you need to go to a Canadian doctor one who can't practice medicine in New York to get anti-inflammatory drugs for a hip that may or may not have been "inflamed" at the time? I don't mean to be a cynic or skeptic with the Yankee third baseman, but are we supposed to believe he couldn't get anti-inflammatory pills at Columbia-Presbyterian, a few minutes from Yankee Stadium? He couldn't get anti-inflammatory pills from ..."
Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin are other contenders for New York Yankee's fifth spot
Comment
March 14
New York Daily News
 
"Three of the five pitchers competing for the Yankees' fifth starter spot were in action Saturday, but the race for the final slot in the rotation is as murky as ever. Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves gave up their first runs of the spring, pitching in relief in the Bombers' two split-squad games. Each tossed four innings, as Mitre pitching against the Tigers in Lakeland, allowed three runs on five hits - one of which was scored a double after Jamie Hoffmann misplayed a fly ball - and Aceves gave up one run on three hits against the Orioles back in Tampa. Although Aceves (0.90 ERA in 10 innings) and Mitre (3.00 ERA in nine innings) have the best statistics of the five pitchers competing for ..."
Hal Steinbrenner says plan is for father George Steinbrenner to be at New York Yankees' Opening Day
Comment
March 14
New York Daily News
 
"Yankees co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner has told The Associated Press that "the plan" is for George Steinbrenner to attend Opening Day in the Bronx on April 13, when the Bombers will get their World Series rings. The Boss was in his box at Steinbrenner Field Saturday for the Yankees' 5-3 win over Baltimore. Steinbrenner, 79, has been in poor health. Sons Hal and Hank have been running the team since the end of the 2007 season. George Steinbrenner has rarely been seen at the Stadium of late. He rode onto the field in a golf cart for the 2008 All-Star Game and attended the first two games of the 2009 World Series."
'Last year is over:' Champion Yankees hooked on repeating
Comment
March 14
USA Today
 
"Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira had lunch together at the beginning of spring training, and Rodriguez talked about his addiction.That's not a good thing for the rest of the American League. The Yankees' two corner infielders discussed the World Series- winning the World Series. "We talked about how much we want to do it again," Rodriguez says. "It becomes an addiction." That might be stretching the definition of addiction, applying it to something you've only done once. But the reality around baseball is the Yankees certainly are in a good position to repeat. They didn't stand pat after a 103-win season, making changes they believe provide a younger, deeper, more flexible roster - in ..."
Tigers split with New York
Comment
March 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tigers manager Jim Leyland saw progress on Saturday. Dontrelle Willis, Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson - three players trying to fit into the starting rotation - combined to strike out five batters and give up eight hits and two earned runs in eight innings in beating the New York Yankees, 6-2, at Joker Marchant Stadium. "They all made progress," Leyland said. "I think that's the best way to term it up, instead of trying to dissect each guy, which I'm not going to do." Said Robertson: "We're all three warming up and patting each other on the butt, 'Go get'em.' I think there's a pretty firm belief that things will work out for everybody.""
Separating rivals better for MLB than a radical realignment
Comment
March 14
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"Baseball does not have a competitive-balance problem. It might have a Yankees problem or a Yankees-Red Sox problem. But mainly it has a public relations problem. There is no salary cap and the Yankees have a payroll that dwarfs all others. That combination — more than anything — creates the perception that the sport lacks competitive balance. But repeating that over and over does not make it fact. Here is a fact: Eight different teams have won the World Series in the last decade or one more than has won the Super Bowl in the sainted, share-every-dollar NFL. How can the Royals ever compete with the Yankees? Sounds great. It is repeated all the time. Just, it is ridiculous. The Royals' ..."
Vazquez return looks like great change-up
Comment
March 14
New York Post
 
"The three arms ahead of him in the rotation pitched the Yankees to a World Series victory last November. The competition for the fifth spot behind him has been the talk of camp and the only job open. So, the unassuming Javier Vazquez has plenty of cover at the start of his second Yankees stint. Since the Yankees acquired the 33-year-old right-hander from the Braves for Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino on Dec. 22, the club said it would be easier for Vazquez to fit in because this time he wasn't being fitted for the crown of "staff ace" and replacing Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte."
Curtis' center of attention is on his fielding
Comment
March 14
New York Post
 columnist Kevin Kernan
"his story begins in batting practice. That's when Curtis Granderson is learning to become a better center fielder, and it starts when his teammates are in the cage. In Granderson's first game at George M. Steinbrenner Field, he made like a laptop wait-message, circling and circling back on a ball that landed just over the center-field fence by the Rays' Sean Rodriguez (pictured). That home run gave Granderson a glimpse of what fly balls in a high sky with a howling wind can act like here in the spring. It was a perfect-storm way to begin life as the Yankees center fielder. "You're going to get some funky stuff," said third-base coach Rob Thomson, who also works with the outfielders. Eight ..."
Aceves pitches well for Yankees; Gaudin, Mitre don't
Comment
March 14
New York Post
 
"Alfredo Aceves pitched four innings in which he gave up a run and three hits against the Orioles. Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre, who are competing with Aceves, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain for the fifth spot in the Yankees' starting rotation, didn't pitch well in a split-squad game against the Tigers, so Aceves moved up the chart. "I have a lot of problems, my family, my car," Aceves said when asked if he watched the competition. "I don't need more problems. I don't want a lot of things in my head." In three games this spring training, Aceves is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA. "He has the ability to get you out in a number of different ways," Joe Girardi said. Gaudin gave up three runs and five ..."
Boston Red Sox starting rotation should give the New York Yankees reason to worry
Comment
March 14
New York Daily News
 
"For a moment, Terry Francona was caught off guard by the question. The discussion in the visitors dugout at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter was about the new-look Red Sox - in particular the left side of the infield, shortstop Marco Scutaro and third baseman Adrian Beltre - and Francona was asked how many different shortstops he's had in his seven years as Boston manager. "Oh wow, let me see," Francona said, before beginning to rattle off the names of Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Alex Cora, Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo and Nick Green. "I don't know. A lot. What I do know is, this spring, I've got six proven starting pitchers that I like, even though it ..."
Modern Yankee Heroes: From humble beginnings, Mariano Rivera becomes greatest closer in MLB history
Comment
March 14
New York Daily News
 columnist Christian Red
"Vivid childhood images and memories still dance in the mind of the 40-year-old man, as if they had unfolded yesterday. Seated in a chair by his locker in the home clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field, five-time World Series champion Mariano Rivera - the greatest closer who ever put on a major league uniform - shuts his eyes and in an instant he's back in tiny Puerto Caimito, Panama. It is low tide, and he's standing on a wide beach that stretches endlessly, sun blazing, the sand stretching to the Pacific whiter than the cloud wisps above. The waves lap at the makeshift first-base and right-field lines. Baseballs are made of shredded fish netting and electrical tape. Sometimes, if the ..."
If Roger Clemens' defamation suit against Brian McNamee moves forward Jeter, Rivera could testify
Comment
March 14
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees have never relished the destructive .defamation suit former pinstripe hero Roger Clemens brought two years ago against his accuser, former Yankee trainer Brian McNamee, but bigger headaches for the club may yet lie ahead, according to a new appeals-court brief issued by McNamee's defense attorneys. A footnote deep in the 60-page brief lists current .Yankee stars Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Derek Jeter as witnesses McNamee might call to the stand for sworn testimony about Clemens' purported use of steroids and human growth hormone. Also listed among potential witnesses for McNamee is Angela Moyer, an alleged mistress of Clemens who tended bar near the upper East Side ..."
Yanks Montero Looks to Claim Squatters Rights
Comment
March 14
New York Times
 
"At home in Venezuela, Jesus Montero loves to hang around his father's auto repair shop. As a boy, he learned how to take apart and reassemble engines, and he loves how cars purr afterward. When he is finished, they inevitably go faster. "I try to make them alive again," Montero said. "That's my job." Well, not entirely. It is a hobby, a diversion, and will remain so as long as he continues speeding toward a long and promising career with the Yankees. Montero is their top prospect and one of the best in baseball, a hulking 20-year-old catcher with precocious power and plate discipline. According to the hitting coach Kevin Long, Montero is now ready to hit in the majors. When the Yankees ..."
Rainout forces Pettitte to throw simulated game
Comment
March 13
The Journal News
 
"Every hitter looked the same and not a single one was holding a bat. Andy Pettitte was sweating. His catcher had never played above Single-A and his pitching coach refused to give him a break. The pitches were real. The results were estimations. The game was simulated. "I didn't give up a hit in three innings," Pettitte said. "Unfortunately, this is what we had to do." For a second day in a row, the Yankees were rained out on Friday. Pettitte, the 37-year-old rotation veteran, was supposed to make his spring-training debut on the road against the Tigers. Instead, he threw 50 pitches in an indoor cage, pitching to prospect catcher Austin Romine while bullpen coach Mike Harkey alternated ..."
Joba, Hughes splitting up
Comment
March 13
The Journal News
 
"The head-to-head competition between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes has come to an end. The next time they pitch, the top candidates for the last spot in the Yankees' rotation will throw on separate days in separate cities. "We're looking for certain things regardless of what day they pitch, whether they pitch the same day or not," pitching coach Dave Eiland said. "We're looking for certain things out of each one of them." Hughes will make his third spring appearance in Tampa on Tuesday, pitching against the Astros in relief of starter A.J. Burnett. Chamberlain will pitch against the Phillies in Clearwater on Wednesday. He'll pitch in relief of Andy Pettitte. "Phil Hughes, he's got to ..."
Weather washes out Tigers-Phillies, split-squad vs. Yankees up next
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March 13
Michigan Live
 
"Friday's scheduled exhibition game against the Philadelphia Phillies was rained out early and the Tigers didn't get much of anything done. The sun never came out. According to manager Jim Leyland, it's only a problem if the rainouts stack up. "It's not OK, but it's OK," Leyland said. "You can't do anything about it so you just do the best you can. Obviously we've got a lot of work to do. I think the next 10 days or so are going to be critical for us in the pitching area." Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson had been scheduled to pitch Friday. They will pitch instead in Saturday's split-squad game against the New York Yankees. "The plan is to have Bonderman, Robertson and (Dontrelle) ..."
First moves in fifth starter battle expected today for NY Yankees
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March 13
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"After two days of rain and the threat of thunderstorms, the Yankees enjoyed a much more favorable forecast for Saturday afternoon: breezy but sunny. Temperature: 72 degrees. The Yankees will split their squads, with one team hosting the Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The other travels to Lakeland for a date with the Tigers. And by the end of the day, somebody will have taken a step forward in the battle for the final spot in the rotation. Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre, three of the candidates, all pitch on Saturday."
Rain forces NY Yankees to juggle pitching assignments
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March 13
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Because the rain never stopped falling here either, the Yankees called it a day pretty early on Friday afternoon. Yankees manager Joe Girardi had considered holding an intrasquad scrimmage -- as a fallback option after their scheduled game against the Nationals in Viera, Fla. was canceled -- but bagged the plans as rain continued to fall through the morning. For the second straight day the rain wiped out a Yankees game, forcing Girardi to juggle his pitching assignments, starting with Saturday's split squad games. It's going to be a big day for the fifth starters: 1.) Javier Vazquez, Alfredo Aceves, Royce Ring and David Robertson will pitch Saturday against the Orioles in Tampa. 2.) Chad ..."
Yanks notes: No. 5 spot cloudy
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March 13
Bergen Record
 
"At this point, pitching coach Dave Eiland can't separate the five-man field for the fifth starter's job. "You really couldn't pick one," Eiland said. "The sample's not big enough." But Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, who had been pitching on the same day, must be separated to accommodate innings. Hughes will start Tuesday against Houston, with Chamberlain pitching Wednesday at the Phillies. So far, Alfredo Aceves is off to the best start, with six hitless innings in two outings. "Ace is throwing the ball extremely well," Eiland said, but the right-hander has experienced back discomfort. "He's been able to manage it pretty well," said manager Joe Girardi, who has allowed Aceves to miss an ..."
Andy Pettitte had Phillies dancing in his head
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March 13
Bergen Record
 
"Instead of opposing the Washington Nationals on Friday afternoon at Viera, Andy Pettitte did his pitching indoors and imagined he was facing the Philadelphia Phillies. That's what happens when rain washes out your Grapefruit League start. "I didn't give up a hit," Pettitte said with a smile, after simulating three innings inside the batting cages at Steinbrenner Field. "Unfortunately, this is what we had to do." At this late date, Pettitte still hasn't faced a live hitter from another team this spring. Last Sunday, when the Yankees made the long trip to Fort Myers against the Twins, manager Joe Girardi allowed Pettitte to stay behind and pitch two simulated innings against Colin Curtis and ..."
'Last year is over:' Champion Yankees hooked on repeating
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March 13
USA Today
 
"Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira had lunch together at the beginning of spring training, and Rodriguez talked about his addiction.That's not a good thing for the rest of the American League. The Yankees' two corner infielders discussed the World Series- winning the World Series. "We talked about how much we want to do it again," Rodriguez says. "It becomes an addiction." That might be stretching the definition of addiction, applying it to something you've only done once. But the reality around baseball is the Yankees certainly are in a good position to repeat. They didn't stand pat after a 103-win season, making changes they believe provide a younger, deeper, more flexible roster - in ..."
Yankees' Pettitte pitches simulated game
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March 13
New York Post
 
"Andy Pettitte peered over his raised black glove for a sign from the catcher, shook him off, nodded 'OK,' then froze Jimmy Rollins with a changeup for strike three. Vintage Pettitte. Too bad the sequence took place in a batting cage under the stands at Steinbrenner Field — and Philadelphia's Rollins was nowhere to be found. Torrential rains force the Yankees' bus to turn around about an hour into the trip to Viera on Friday, and Pettitte's first scheduled start of spring training was turned into another simulated outing. "I got my normal warmup in, and then I got all my throws in and I'm tired," Pettitte said. "That's the biggest thing, I wanted to make sure I was good and fatigued. ..."