Yankees Trade Rumors

Yankees get Eric Hinske for 2 minor leaguers
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June 30
Bergen Record
 
"Former AL Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske was acquired by the New York Yankees from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday for a pair of minor leaguers. Pittsburgh will receive right-hander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer for the utilityman. In addition, the Pirates will give the Yankees cash. The 31-year-old Hinske hit .255 in 106 at-bats this season with nine doubles, one homer and 11 RBIs, playing right field, first base and third base. He was 8 for 24 as a pinch hitter and said to be unhappy with a lack of playing time. Through June 29 last year, he had 13 home runs en route to a 20-home run season with the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays. He won the rookie award with Toronto in 2002, ..."
Yankees add insurance policy, swing deal with Pirates for Eric Hinske
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June 30
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees added an insurance policy to their roster Tuesday, acquiring Eric Hinske in a trade with the Pirates. Pittsburgh will receive minor league righthander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer. Hinske, who turns 32 in August, can play first base, third base and both corner outfield spots, giving them another versatile player to use in a variety of ways. For the Pirates, the deal represents a dump of Hinske's $1.5 million salary. For the Yankees, the deal adds a bat to their bench after Xavier Nady's expected return took a turn for the worse last week when he reinjured his elbow. Ironically, Nady was acquired by the Yankees last summer in a deal with the Pirates, so they're ..."
New York Yankees acquire Eric Hinske from Pittsburgh Pirates
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July 1
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"According to multiple reports, the Yankees traded for Pirates utility man Eric Hinske on Tuesday. The Yankees sent to the Pirates two minor leaguers, outfielder Eric Fryer and right-handed pitcher Casey Erickson, in exchange for Hinske, the 2002 rookie of the year. The 31-year-old Hinske hit .255 in 54 games with the Pirates. He had one home run and had driven in 11 runs. According to mlb.com, the Yankees also received cash considerations along with Hinske."
Pirates get two Yankee minor leaguers for Eric Hinske
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June 30
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The Pirates today traded ultilityman Eric Hinske to the New York Yankees in exchange for two minor leaguers. Outfielder Garrett Jones was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace Hinske, and is expected to be in uniform for tonight's game against the Chicago Cubs. The Pirates acquired catcher/outfielder Eric Fryer and right-hander Casey Erickson. Fryer, 23, hit .250 with 11 doubles, two homers and 24 RBI in 59 games with Class A Tampa. He will be assigned to Class A Lynchburg"
Pirates trade outfielder Hinske to Yankees
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June 30
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates late this morning traded outfielder Eric Hinske to the New York Yankees for catcher/outfielder Eric Freyer and pitcher Casey Erickson. Outfielder Garrett Jones will be recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis."
Could Rockies closer Huston Street be fitted for a new set of pinstripes?
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June 27
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Yankees may want to keep an eye turned toward the Rockies, because of Colorado stumbles, right-handed reliever Huston Street may become available again. If that's so, don't be surprised to see the Yankees come knocking. Apparently, they already have this season. A major league source, who requested anonymity because he isn't authorized to comment on other teams, told me that the Yankees' reported interest in Street was serious. The source said that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman approached the Rockies about a deal as early as the middle of May, as the Yankees' bullpen struggled. Meanwhile, the source said the Rockies had already begun combing through the Yankees' minor league ..."
Nady may be scratched from Yankees' roster for good
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June 27
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees aren't expecting Xavier Nady back anytime soon. In fact, the next time the outfielder suits up in a big-league game, it likely will be in another uniform. Nady is headed to the West Coast to visit Dr. Lewis Yocum, the same surgeon who performed Tommy John surgery on him back in 2001. In all likelihood, Nady will require the same procedure to repair his injured right elbow, having experienced a major setback Thursday night in a Triple-A game. Nady, who left the Yankees' game against Tampa Bay on April 14 with a sharp pain in his elbow, decided to attempt a rehab program rather than have surgery, hoping to return to the field this year - the final year of his contract. Things ..."
Bad sign for New York Yankees' Xavier Nady as elbow forces him to leave minor league rehab game
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June 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Outfielder Xavier Nady may be headed for Tommy John surgery that will end his season, and likely his tenure with the Yankees. Nady pulled himself out of a minor league rehab game on Thursday night after injuring his right elbow on a throw from the outfield. "It's the thing you try and avoid," Cashman said. "It could be the worst-case scenario.... Obviously, it's just not a good sign." Nady, 32, will likely undergo tests on Friday. Nady, a free agent at the end of the season, has been attempting to avoid surgery despite a partial tear in the ligament in his right elbow. Nady, who was playing at Syracuse with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, won the starting right fielder's job out of spring ..."
Pair of New York Yankees prospects earn spots at All-Star Futures Game
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June 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"A pair of standout Yankees prospects have been selected to this season's the All-Star Futures Game. Power-hitting catcher Jesus Montero and left-hander Manuel Banuelos will represent the World Team. Bryan Hoch mlb.com has the details. Mostly everybody knows about Montero, who was selected to the game at Yankee Stadium last season. But Banuelos has emerged this season, after signing out of Mexico in 2008. The Yankees have had plenty of success in recent years gathering talent from South of the Border. As vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman told me in spring training, the reason has been simple: scout Lee Sigman, whose primary responsibility is Mexico."
Ten ball clubs that can add payroll
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June 22
SI.com
 
"Baseball is doing better than most businesses. But you know something's amiss when even the Yankees are claiming they can't add salary or expand their payroll. Ultimately, the $200 million team just might find a few mil in the seat cushions. But for now anyway, they're saying they are tapped out. The same may be true for the Cubs, yet another storied big-market club that may not spend this summer. The Cubs' situation could be compromised by the glacial pace of the team's sale. At present, their player dealings appear to be in the same sort of limbo as the sale, meaning their big in-season acquisition may be limited to recovering star Aramis Ramirez. The Rangers also are believed to have ..."
The Indians are ready to deal Mark DeRosa
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June 22
ESPN.com
 (scroll down)
"The Indians are ready to deal Mark DeRosa, but they want a young pitcher in return, and the Cardinals are not willing to give up any of their better young relievers (Jason Motte, Chris Perez or Kyle McClellan), and the Mets won't part with Bobby Parnell. The Yankees demonstrated some interest in DeRosa before, and if they believe that Alex Rodriguez might continue to struggle this year, DeRosa would be a heck of an insurance policy. But even the Yankees are coping with some financial limitations this season, and they haven't been engaged on DeRosa for awhile."
A-Rod to sit out one day a week
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June 22
New York Daily News
 
"It was hard to tell whether two days of rest helped Alex Rodriguez, but the slumping third baseman will have some more days off coming his way in the near future to help him get past the fatigue that has slowed him down this month. Joe Girardi plans to rest A-Rod once a week for the next month, a plan Rodriguez said was devised by Dr. Marc Philippon, the Colorado surgeon who operated on his hip in March. "That sounds like a good plan," A-Rod said Sunday. "From what I understand, that comes from Vail (Colo.) and Dr. Philippon. We'll follow his instructions and regroup in a month. The idea is that I'll get stronger each month." Having been rested on Friday and Saturday - he made one ..."
Joe Girardi puts to rest talk of Alex Rodriguez's breather
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June 21
New York Daily News
 
"Conspiracy theories were popping up all over South Florida this weekend, as the locals tried to cope with the fact that Alex Rodriguez was being given the first two games off against the Marlins. Joe Girardi seemed surprised that people were making such an issue out of Rodriguez's two days off, but the manager acknowledged that when the topic is A-Rod, stories tend to become bigger than usual. "The big deal is probably that a lot of people aren't familiar with what he went through, how serious of a surgery he had and the fatigue that he went through," Girardi said. "Everything is always (bigger) when it's Alex." Rodriguez saw his first action of the weekend in the eighth inning last ..."
Sources: Yankees, Prospect Have Deal
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June 21
New York Post
 
"According to several connections in the Dominican Republic, the Yankees and catching prospect Gary Sanchez have agreed to a $2.5 million deal. Sanchez, 16, isn't eligible to sign until July 2, but the Yankees' dogged pursuit of the right-handed hitter has resulted in him wanting to sign with the club. According to a Yankees source, who didn't confirm or deny the agreement or money, nothing is guaranteed until a contract is signed. "He is a big kid with a big arm," a Latin American talent evaluator for an NL team said of the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Sanchez. "I would like to have him, but $2.5 million is a lot of money. He has a thick body. He is a real good hitter, but he doesn't hit like Jesus ..."
Yankees' scouts see Pedro Martinez show stuff in the Dominican Republic
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June 20
New York Daily News
 
"Pedro Martinez threw 65 pitches off a mound in the Dominican Republic Friday, while scouts from several major league clubs - including the Yankees - watched to determine if the 37-year-old free agent warrants a contract offer this season. "There are a lot of teams that have a lot of interest," Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, told the Daily News. "They came (Friday) to see Pedro's arm action, how easy the ball was coming out of his hand. But Pedro controls the process - he wants the right situation." According to one scout on hand, the Yankees reps seemed "more aggressive" about talking with Martinez after the throwing session, but it's unlikely the Bombers would sign the righthander since ..."
Sox Closer Would Consider Yanks
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June 20
New York Post
 
"If the Red Sox don't want Jonathan Papelbon after the 2011 season, the laser-throwing closer wouldn't have a problem switching sides -- to the Yankees -- in the most heated rivalry in sports. "Not only The Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility," Papelbon said in a Sirius XM radio interview, according to quotes posted on WEEI.com. "You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, 'Oh, I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.' Because nowadays that is very, very rare. "There's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform, but I have to do what's best for me and play in an atmosphere where ..."
Slumping Rodriguez Given Two Games Off
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June 20
New York Times
 
"The Florida Marlins came into being in 1993, when Alex Rodriguez was a high school senior in Miami. He was about to embark on an eventful professional career that would take him many places before his first scheduled regular-season game at the Marlins' ballpark. When the time came, with the Yankees on Friday night, Rodriguez was not in the lineup. He will not start on Saturday, either. His average has dipped to .212, and he has seemed worn down from his hip surgery on March 9. "When you're running on empty," Rodriguez said, "you feel like you're not being yourself." Rodriguez said he thought Marc Philippon, the doctor who performed the operation, would have wanted him to take five to eight ..."
Yankees among four teams to watch Pedro Martinez pitch in Domincan Republic
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June 19
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Yankees scouts will be on hand Friday in the Dominican Republic to watch free agent Pedro Martinez throw. However, according to reports, the Yankees are not interested in signing the former 37-year-old former Mets and Red Sox ace. The Yankees -- who are going to be joined at the session by representatives from the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs -- are going to be present "as a courtesy to Martinez's agent," according to the Daily News. Fern Cuza, Martinez's agent, also represents Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. The Daily News report also cited a scout who saw Martinez pitch last week and said the three-time Cy Young winner had a "pretty good shot" of catching on with a ..."
Jonathan Papelbon good to go
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June 19
Boston Herald
 
"Though he's under contract until 2011, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said yesterday he would be willing to sign anywhere, including with the New York Yankees, if he and the Sox cannot agree to a long-term deal. "Not only the Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility," Papelbon said in a Sirius XM radio interview, according to a weei.com transcript. "You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, 'Oh I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.' Because nowadays that is very, very rare. . . . There's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform, but I have to do what's best for me and play ..."
Yankees to watch ex-Met ace Pedro Martinez pitch in Dominican
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June 19
New York Daily News
 
""Come to daddy." Well, maybe not. Pedro Martinez, who once famously called the Yankees his "daddy" after a tough loss to them, will throw for Yankee scouts in the Dominican Republic today. But the Yanks aren't really interesting in signing him, according to someone familiar with the team's thinking. The Yankees - along with the Rays, Angels and Cubs - will watch Martinez work out, the person said, but it's believed the Yanks are only doing it as a courtesy to Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, who also represents stars such as Mariano Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero. The news of the Yankees and other teams watching Martinez was first reported by Ken Rosenthal on foxsports.com. Martinez, a ..."
O's getting serious about 16-year-old shortstop
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June 14
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles will attend a three-day workout for top Dominican shortstop prospect Miguel Angel Sano this month, another sign that the organization is considering making a serious run at signing the coveted international free agent. Sano, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound 16-year-old who has drawn comparisons to Florida Marlins star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, worked out for the Orioles at their Dominican baseball academy June 5. Orioles director of player development David Stockstill said he was very impressed but the club wants to get a more extended look at the player who is reportedly seeking a signing bonus of about $5 million or $6 million. International free agents cannot sign with clubs until July ..."
Indians have Miguel Angel Sano, a 16-year-old Dominican high on their signing-priority list
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June 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Highly touted Dominican Republic teenager Miguel Angel Sano will work out at the Indians' academy in the Dominican Republic on Monday and Tuesday. Among those representing the Indians will be John Mirabelli, assistant general manager/scouting operations, and Lino Diaz, director of Latin American operations. "We're very interested in signing him," Mirabelli said. "I think he'll be one of the first guys teams extend offers to. I can tell you he'll be close to the top of our list." Sano, who turned 16 in May, plays shortstop. As is the case with any age-eligible international player, he can be signed beginning July 2. Sano's agent, Rob Plummer, confirmed that Cleveland is among 8-10 ..."
Mets, Yankees Preparing For Draft
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June 7
New York Post
 
"Major League Base ball's First-Year Player Draft is a hard thing for the average fan to get excited about. Outside of the rare case where a player like San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg becomes a national sensation before he's even selected, the top picks in the draft are often unknown at the time they are chosen, and it can often take several years before they make it to the major leagues -- if they make it there at all. But at the same time, the draft also presents an opportunity for teams to find players that will become the face of their franchises, like Derek Jeter for the Yankees (No. 6 overall in 1992) and David Wright for the Mets (No. 38 overall in 2001). Here's a look at ..."
Andy Pettitte: I'll Start Tomorrow
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June 2
New York Post
 
"Joe Girardi thinks Andy Pettitte will start tomorrow night against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium. The veteran lefty is convinced. "I feel good. We haven't even talked about me missing a start," Pettitte said yesterday after a short bullpen session. Pettitte left Friday night's game with lower back discomfort that first surfaced in Texas on May 25 during a workout. "I am making my start. I feel better [yesterday] than [Sunday]," Pettitte said. If Pettitte can't go, the Yankees have Chien-Ming Wang ready to step in. * Wang remains in the bullpen. The Yankees know he eventually is going back into the rotation, but don't have a specific date, barring an injury, because pitching coach Dave ..."
Wang Ready To Start, If...
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June 1
New York Post
 
"If Andy Pettitte's lower-back problem prevents him from taking the ball Wednesday, the Yankees feel good about having a resurgent Chien-Ming Wang as a backup. However, Wang replacing Phil Hughes in the rotation doesn't sound like an idea manager Joe Girardi is contemplating. Girardi has been a Hughes supporter since Hughes was promoted from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and that didn't stop yesterday after Hughes gave up four runs and five hits in five innings of a 5-4 loss to the Indians. "He wasn't bad -- his stuff was pretty good," Girardi said of Hughes, who surrendered three runs in the third and a tainted one in the fifth when Brett Gardner misjudged a fly ball. Wang's second relief ..."
Astros' Roy Oswalt might like change of address
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May 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"Keep an eye on the relationship between Roy Oswalt and the Astros. He has been disappointed that the club hasn't made an attempt to land Jake Peavy and recently has seemed at odds with manager Cecil Cooper. Oswalt has a full no-trade clause but might not mind a chance to go to a contender. ... Peavy insists he could reconsider a White Sox trade later in the season. The Sox say they're open to the possibility, but it seems as much of a long shot as it did two weeks ago. ... Add the Yankees and Braves to the possible Mark DeRosa destinations. ... Credit new pitching coach Rick Knapp, catcher Gerald Laird and an improved infield defense, as much as newcomers Edwin Jackson and Rick ..."
Posada Could Be Back For Weekend
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May 27
New York Post
 
"Jorge Posada could rejoin the Yankees during this weekend's series in Cleveland. "That's possible," manager Joe Girardi said before last night's game against the Rangers. Posada, who is on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, participated in a simulated game yesterday in Tampa. According to Girardi, Posada got four at-bats and caught three innings. Girardi said Posada likely will catch five innings today, but didn't believe Posada would require a nine-inning stint behind the plate or a minor-league game in order to be taken off the shelf. "I don't think he has to go nine," Girardi said. "He is not that far out of game shape. Realistically, we could see him in four or five ..."
Wang to join New York Yankees in bullpen, says report
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May 22
Trenton Times
 
"Hey Wang, you're in the bullpen! Okay? Fine. So says Mark Feinsand of the Daily News, who has a source telling him that Chien-Ming Wang has been rescued from a night in Pawtucket, R.I. so he can be on standby as a long reliever Friday night in New York against the Phillies. It's just the latest twist in Wang's return to the big leagues. The Yankees were ready to send Wang down for one more minor league start, despite the fact that he's already pitched 13 scoreless Triple-A innings ovder two starts."
Wang Remains In Holding Pattern
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May 21
New York Post
 
"It sure doesn't sound as if manager Joe Girardi is clearing immediate space in the rotation for Chien-Ming Wang. After watching Wang throw in the bullpen Tuesday, no decision was made on his status. And nothing was decided yesterday. "We haven't made a decision yet. We do know that when Chien-Ming Wang is right, he is a big part of the rotation," Girardi said of the right-hander who is on the disabled list. "There are still some discussions that have to take place and the discussion is based on him. We will probably have to make a decision by [today]." Wang last worked Sunday for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) in his second rehab assignment. That means he is on schedule to start ..."
Hughes Could Be Sent Down Despite Solid Start
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May 21
New York Post
 
"Phil Hughes tread water nicely on a night he probably needed to make headway against the current. With Chien-Ming Wang itching for a return and showing signs his sinker is ready for big-league competition, Hughes gave the Yankees a solid performance against the Orioles, just nothing convincing enough to say he deserves another start. All manager Joe Girardi would say after the Yankees' 11-4 victory was a decision on Wang will be made today. The right-hander could be asked to make one more minor-league rehab appearance in his comeback from abductor muscle weakness. What about Hughes? "He's a guy that's got good stuff, and he can be successful with the stuff he's got," Girardi said, after ..."
Wang (seven shutout innings), Bruney close
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May 18
Newsday
 
"Chien-Ming Wang appears ready to rejoin the Yankees' rotation. And the same goes for Brian Bruney in the bullpen. Making his second straight start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre yesterday, Wang threw a shutout over seven innings in a 3-0 complete-game victory over Columbus (it was the first game of a doubleheader). Wang allowed four hits and struck out one. He threw 75 pitches, 49 for strikes, and according to the Times-Tribune (Scranton), kept most of his pitches down. He threw six scoreless innings last Tuesday for Scranton. "Performance-wise, he was terrific,'' general manager Brian Cashman said of Wang, according to the Times-Tribune. Cashman said he thought Wang threw the ball a ..."
Chien-Ming Wang and Brian Bruney look ready to pitch in for Yankees
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May 18
New York Daily News
 
"Unless the Yankees believe they have more to prove against Triple-A hitters, Chien-Ming Wang and Brian Bruney both appear on the verge of returning to the Bombers in the next few days. Wang has tossed 13 shutout innings in two rehab starts for Triple-A Scranton, including seven frames Sunday in a 3-0 win in the first game of a doubleheader against Columbus. The two-time 19-game winner, who posted an unsightly 34.50 ERA in three starts before going on the DL on April 19 with hip soreness, gave up four hits and walked none while needing just 75 pitches to record 21 outs. Bruney, who has been out since April 25 with elbow soreness, started Game 2 and allowed one run in one inning. He could ..."
New York Yankees make minor-league trade for right-hander Romulo Sanchez
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May 17
Trenton Times
 
"The Yankees traded minor league pitcher Eric Hacker to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday for right-hander Romulo Sanchez. Hacker was designated for assignment last week when the team called up Brett Tomko and added him to the 40-man roster."
Despite big year, Damon not sure he'll be back
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May 17
Buffalo News
 columnist Mike Harrington
"The Yankees are struggling just to get to .500 and stay there. Where in the world would they be without Johnny Damon wielding his big bat? And is it really that automatic that Damon is playing out the last year of his contract and figures to be elsewhere in 2010? Damon is one of the big go-to guys for the media in the Yankees clubhouse and a bunch of us gathered around him last week in the Rogers Centre because he had been named American League Player of the Week. It was a pretty straightforward conversation for a bit until Damon dropped a bit of a bombshell when asked how he deals with playing in a contract year. "I don't think it will be too much of a surprise if they don't bring me ..."
Time Is Running Out For Hughes
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May 15
New York Post
 
"With Chien-Ming Wang inching back into the picture by making his second rehab start Sunday at Triple-A, it would do Phil Hughes good to pitch better tonight than he has in the last two outings in order to have a chance of sticking in the big leagues. After firing six shutout innings at the Tigers in his season debut on April 28, Hughes is 0-2 with a 17.49 ERA and has given up 15 hits and six walks. He is coming off a brutal beating Saturday in Baltimore, where the Orioles spanked him for eight runs and eight hits in 1 2/3 innings. "He needs to get back to his strengths," manager Joe Girardi said of Hughes, who will face the Twins in the first of a 10-game home stand. "If he gets in an ..."
Oblique Injury Might Keep Jeter On Bench
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May 14
New York Post
 
"Derek Jeter had a one-word answer to a question about him landing on the disabled list. "Nope," said Jeter, who missed a second straight game last night when the Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 8-2, at the Rogers Centre because of a right oblique muscle problem. Nevertheless, Joe Girardi said his shortstop and leadoff hitter isn't a lock to play tonight in the finale of a three-game series against the AL East leaders. "I am not sure he is going to play tomorrow," said Girardi, who used Ramiro Pena (1-for-4) at short and the sizzling Johnny Damon (2-for-5) in the leadoff spot. "Let's see how he feels. Maybe we are looking at Friday." Girardi also didn't have DH Hideki Matsui, who left Tuesday ..."
Wang ready?
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May 11
Bergen Record
 
"Wang ready? Chien-Ming Wang will start Tuesday for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, signaling he almost is ready to return to the team after suffering from weakness in his abductor muscles - and a 34.50 ERA. "We believe, yes," he's close, manager Joe Girardi said. Wang will be evaluated after the start, and could rejoin the team if he pitches well. Nady progressing Xavier Nady will swing a bat Friday for the first time since last month when he partially tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will bat off a tee and then hit soft toss. If his elbow responds, he could progress to a rehab assignment the following week. Girardi said Nady could return by the first or second ..."
Girardi Gives Glimpse Into Plan for Rodriguez
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May 10
New York Times
 
"When Manager Joe Girardi saw Alex Rodriguez on Friday afternoon, he asked Rodriguez how he was feeling. When the answer was "Great," Girardi left it at that and proceeded to put Rodriguez into the starting lineup, playing third base and batting fourth. No sense giving Rodriguez a chance to change his mind. "You only get one shot to tell me you can't play," Girardi said, smiling. "He said he was great, so I said, Great, you're in there." With the crush of attention on Rodriguez's return having died down, Girardi was able to further explain how he planned to work Rodriguez back into the lineup while not jeopardizing his recovery from hip surgery. With Rodriguez reporting no negative effects ..."
A-Rod Could Play Tomorrow
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May 7
New York Post
 
"Alex Rodriguez and manager Joe Girardi both sounded uncertain about A-Rod rejoining the Yankees tomorrow. But the Yankees skipper certainly was optimistic that the star's return is on the immediate horizon, very possibly tomorrow in Baltimore. "We are getting a lot closer and I am encouraged," Girardi said before the Yanks and Rays opened a two-game set at Yankee Stadium last night. "Our roster could change drastically in a couple days." Girardi did not rule out a return tomorrow by Rodriguez, who continued playing in extended spring training games yesterday as he rehabs from March 9 surgery to repair a torn right hip labrum. "I'm not going to say 100 percent that he's not going to be ..."
Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez slides, goes 1-for-5 in spring training game
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May 7
New York Daily News
 
"Alex Rodriguez passed the final test he had set for himself Wednesday, sliding in a game for the first time on his surgically repaired hip. Now, the only question left is when he'll rejoin the Yankees. In all likelihood, A-Rod's return will come tomorrow night in Baltimore, although he is scheduled to play third base for six innings today in an intrasquad game at the Yankees' minor-league complex in Tampa. "I can't tell you at this moment, but we're getting a lot closer and I'm encouraged," Joe Girardi said about a return tomorrow. "I'm not going to say 100% that he's not going to be here or will be here. A lot of it is on how he feels and our discussions with him." Rodriguez had ..."
Girardi: A-Rod May Not Make It Back By Friday
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May 6
New York Post
 
"One day after saying Friday "was a possibility" for Alex Rodriguez's much-needed return from the disabled list, manager Joe Girardi backed off a bit yesterday. "I don't know, a lot depends on how he feels," Girardi said before last night's 7-3 loss to the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. "I didn't want to say no definitely he is not coming back on Friday because, with Alex and how hard he works, it's a possibility. Any day before May 15 is OK with us." The Yankees were without hot-hitting catcher Jorge Posada, who was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring. With Posada joining Xavier Nady, Chien-Ming Wang, Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte on the DL, Rodriguez's return from March 9 ..."
A-Rod blasts show return won't be long
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May 6
New York Daily News
 
"Alex Rodriguez's swing during Tuesday's extended spring game in Tampa made it clear that the third baseman is getting very close to rejoining the Yankees. A-Rod belted a pair of home runs - one of which cleared the 40-foot-high batter's eye in center field - and played seven innings at third base, reporting no problems with his surgically repaired hip after going 3-for-6. "I felt good," Rodriguez said as he jogged inside, but responded, "I have no idea," when asked if he knew anything about a possible return to the Yankees in time for a three-game series at Baltimore this weekend. Rodriguez has spent three weeks in Tampa rehabbing his right hip after having surgery to repair a labral ..."
Foot problem still at root of Chien-Ming Wang's injury
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May 3
New York Daily News
 
"The foot injury that shelved Chien-Ming Wang for much of last season also is responsible for his horrendous start this spring. The Yankees have said Wang's problem is weakness in his hip muscles caused by the sprained foot. Saturday, the righthander confirmed that stiffness in his right foot threw off his mechanics as he stumbled through three starts to an 0-3 record with a 34.50 ERA. Wang said his back "leg came up and I was getting to the front (foot) too quick." Pitches he was trying to keep down in the strike zone were coming in belt high and hittable as a result. "He can't push off," said organizational pitching guru Billy Connors. "That's where you get your push and your torque. His ..."
Baseball Said to Be Inquiring About Rodriguez Drug Use
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May 3
New York Times
 
"Major League Baseball is investigating the accuracy of statements by Alex Rodriguez about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, according to people within baseball who were briefed on the matter. Investigators have contacted several of Rodriguez's associates to determine whether he used performance-enhancing drugs for a longer time than he has admitted, the people said. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to be identified discussing a continuing investigation. They said that the investigation began shortly after Rodriguez met with investigators March 1 in Tampa, Fla., because they had questions about his statements from that meeting. Rodriguez said he ..."
Pirates shortstop Wilson flabbergasted at Rodriguez allegations
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May 3
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson was astounded to read that Alex Rodriguez allegedly tipped pitches to opposing batters late in blowouts while playing shortstop for the Texas Rangers, as reported in a book about the N.Y. Yankees star, "A-Rod," by Sports Illustrated's Selena Roberts. "I've never heard of it. When I read it, I was kind of blown away that that could even happen," Wilson said. "Other than Bobby Thomson's 'Shot Heard Round the World' - they say he got his pitch tipped - this is the only other time I ever heard about it." The controversy surrounding Thomson's game-winning homer for the N.Y. Giants to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1951 National League playoff surfaced in 2001, when ..."
A-Rod appears to have a long way to go before return to Yankees
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May 2
New York Daily News
 
"Alex Rodriguez wants to get back in the Yankees lineup ahead of the May 15 schedule laid out for him. If Friday was anything to judge by, that's going to be a tall order. Rodriguez continued on his road back from March 9 hip surgery by playing in an extended spring training game between Yankees and Pirates farmhands here at Pittsburgh's minor league complex. He took seven at-bats, did not play the field and barely ran the bases. That meant no full-speed running, no hard turns and no sliding - all things A-Rod says he must do before he returns. "I felt good," he said after hitting a single in his final at-bat to finish 1-for-6 with a walk. "I'm looking forward to playing on the field." He ..."
Nick Swisher questionable for Saturday after elbow gets hit
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May 2
New York Daily News
 
"Nick Swisher could barely put a shirt on or tie his shoes after taking a Jered Weaver fastball off his right elbow in the first inning Friday night, but the outfielder hopes to be back on the field Saturday when the Yankees look for their fifth consecutive win. "It's fine, it's just swollen," Swisher said. "We'll wait until the swelling gets out of there. If it gets out tonight, I'll be back in there tomorrow. It's all skip's decision." X-rays taken on Swisher's elbow were negative, and the team officially listed him as day-to-day. Asked whether he thought Swisher would be in the lineup Saturday, Joe Girardi said, "That can be an extremely tender spot. I'd probably be surprised if he can ..."
Next Test For Alex: Play Field
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May 1
New York Post
 
"Alex Rodriguez can concentrate on his swing today, but Yankee manager Joe Girardi also is anxious to hear how his third baseman fares in the field. That opportunity for Rodriguez could come as soon as tomorrow, in a possible third-base appearance in a minor-league scrimmage. Rodriguez yesterday saw his first game action since undergoing March hip surgery and finished 1-for-6 with a homer in two walks in an intrasquad game at the Yankees' minor-league complex. Rodriguez started at designated hitter and will likely do the same today. "I'm in a good place," Rodriguez told reporters in Tampa. "I'm feeling better physically. I've had a great week here. I've worked extremely hard, and I'm very ..."
Ex-Exec: No Sign Alex Tipped Foes
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May 1
New York Post
 
"There's a difference between cheating baseball and cheating your team. When Alex Rodriguez admitted using steroids from 2001-03, he admitted to cheating the game. If he tipped pitches to an opposing team -- which he is accused of doing in Selena Roberts' forthcoming book "A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez" -- then he was cheating his own team. "Integrity is a real question in our sport, and tipping pitches to help someone on the other team really takes that to a different level," said Mike Cramer, who was the president of the Texas Rangers during Rodriguez's tenure there. "From my time in Texas, I never heard that, never saw it. It's not the game we all like, that A-Rod liked, and it ..."
Mientkiewicz never saw Alex Rodriguez use steroids in high school
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May 1
Los Angeles Times
 
"Dodgers utilityman Doug Mientkiewicz said that he, Alex Rodriguez and their teammates on the Westminster Christian High spent as much time together as possible. They were always together in school, Mientkiewicz said. They often ate dinner together. Many players, including Rodriguez, frequently slept over at Mientkiewicz's house, which was only 10 minutes from the private school in suburban Miami. Mientkiewicz said he never saw any signs that Rodriguez was on steroids, as is being alleged in an upcoming book by Sports Illustrated's Selena Roberts, according to a report in the New York Daily News. "From my perspective, it would be 99.9% impossible for us not to know," said Mientkiewicz, who ..."