Claiborne back up in up-and-down season

By Josh Vitale / MLB.com | 9/2/2013 8:04 P.M. ET

NEW YORK -- After getting called up and sent down five times over a 10-day period in August, Preston Claiborne looks to be back with the Yankees for good this season.

The reliever was optioned on Aug. 16 to make room for infielder Mark Reynolds, recalled on Aug. 20 to be the team's 26th man during a doubleheader against the Blue Jays and optioned again after the game. He was then called up on Aug. 22 after infielder Jayson Nix went on the disabled list with a broken hand, but he was sent down again when shortstop Derek Jeter returned from the DL on Aug. 25.

Normally, teams have to wait at least 10 days to recall a player optioned to the Minor Leagues. But because Class A Tampa's season ended on Sunday, the Yankees were able to bring Claiborne back to the Bronx on Monday.

And with the ability to have expanded rosters in September -- the Yankees currently have 31 players on the active roster, 11 of which are relievers -- there likely won't be reason to option Claiborne again.

The rookie has a 2.78 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 37 appearances this season.

Huff makes strong case for starting role

NEW YORK -- Before Monday's game, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he didn't have any options to replace struggling starter Phil Hughes in the rotation.

He might have found one during the 9-1 victory over the White Sox.

After Hughes' day was cut short by a one-hour and 53-minute rain delay, long reliever David Huff fired 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits.

"He did a really nice job," Girardi said. "He's pitched well for us. Those were big innings for us where we didn't have to use like four or five guys in the bullpen, and that helps."

Huff has now thrown 15 innings since being called up on Aug. 15, giving up just one run on six hits and five walks.

"Sometimes with new guys, you're trying to figure out if they're going to be that consistent," catcher Austin Romine said. "And he's been nothing but consistent for us."

Girardi said he didn't have options to replace Hughes before the game because David Phelps and Michael Pineda are both hurt, but Huff gives the skipper an interesting option. The left-hander was stretched out as a starter during his time with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Huff said he's able to throw as many as 110 pitches in a game.

Hughes, meanwhile, has struggled mightily this season, losing 11 of his last 13 decisions and compiling a 6.12 ERA since the start of August. He threw just 1 1/3 scoreless innings on Monday before the rain delay.

"He had good stuff today, and I was actually excited. I firmly thought this would be where we turned it around, and he was cruising," Romine said. "And then the rain came. And that's just how it's going for him. He was really good."

Girardi said after Monday's game that he had made no changes to the team's rotation. Asked if Huff could get a start going forward, Girardi said, "We'll play it by ear."

Huff said he's comfortable both out of the bullpen and in the rotation.

"I'm just hopeful to get innings," Huff said. "We're trying to make a playoff push right now, and we're just trying to go out there and win ballgames."

Murphy, Cabral achieve firsts in debuts

NEW YORK -- When JR Murphy walked toward home plate for his eight-inning at-bat on Monday, the Yankee Stadium scoreboard in center field read, "Hitting for Cano."

The rookie catcher was taking his first Major League at-bat, and he was doing it in place of All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano.

Murphy made the most of his opportunity, too, drilling a hard ground ball at White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie and beating the throw to first for his first career hit.

"I didn't see what happened. I knew I hit it hard, and I saw that he had a play on it, but then I just started running," Murphy said. "I didn't know it was a hit until [first-base coach Mick] Kelleher told me it was a hit."

Murphy said his parents, who were in the stands, had their whole section "going crazy." The Yankees saved the ball for him, and Murphy said his mom plans on framing the lineup card, which manager Joe Girardi gave to him after the game.

"I was pretty nervous," Murphy said. "They told me in the bullpen and I ran down, so the nerves started then. I was pretty much nervous all the way until I got into the box, but after I took the first pitch, I felt OK."

Another Yankees rookie also got his start on Monday as reliever Cesar Cabral made his Major League debut. Cabral pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Monday's 9-1 win over the White Sox, giving up one hit and recording his first strikeout.

It represents the end of a long road back for Cabral, who missed all of 2012 with a stress fracture in his elbow.

"It feels really, really good right now," Cabral said. "My rehab went great. Thank God for it."

Cabral said the Yankees gave him the scorecard of Monday's game, something he'll leave in his house, so he can remember what he called a "great experience."

"You get a first strikeout and then a first hit," Girardi said. "It's nice to get some kids their first taste."

Bombers bits

• The Yankees' loss on Sunday was their first this season in a game they held a lead of at least two runs at home. They were previously 32-0 in those games.

• On this day in Yankees history, starter Mike Mussina came within one out of throwing a perfect game against the Red Sox on Sept. 2, 2001. Carl Everett broke up the perfect game with a two-out single in the ninth inning.

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Extra relievers give Girardi more options

By Josh Vitale / MLB.com | 9/2/2013 8:04 P.M. ET

Huff makes strong case for starting role

NEW YORK -- Before Monday's game, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he didn't have any options to replace struggling starter Phil Hughes in the rotation.

He might have found one during the 9-1 victory over the White Sox.

After Hughes' day was cut short by a one-hour and 53-minute rain delay, long reliever David Huff fired 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits.

"He did a really nice job," Girardi said. "He's pitched well for us. Those were big innings for us where we didn't have to use like four or five guys in the bullpen, and that helps."

Huff has now thrown 15 innings since being called up on Aug. 15, giving up just one run on six hits and five walks.

"Sometimes with new guys, you're trying to figure out if they're going to be that consistent," catcher Austin Romine said. "And he's been nothing but consistent for us."

Girardi said he didn't have options to replace Hughes before the game because David Phelps and Michael Pineda are both hurt, but Huff gives the skipper an interesting option. The left-hander was stretched out as a starter during his time with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Huff said he's able to throw as many as 110 pitches in a game.

Hughes, meanwhile, has struggled mightily this season, losing 11 of his last 13 decisions and compiling a 6.12 ERA since the start of August. He threw just 1 1/3 scoreless innings on Monday before the rain delay.

"He had good stuff today, and I was actually excited. I firmly thought this would be where we turned it around, and he was cruising," Romine said. "And then the rain came. And that's just how it's going for him. He was really good."

Girardi said after Monday's game that he had made no changes to the team's rotation. Asked if Huff could get a start going forward, Girardi said, "We'll play it by ear."

Huff said he's comfortable both out of the bullpen and in the rotation.

"I'm just hopeful to get innings," Huff said. "We're trying to make a playoff push right now, and we're just trying to go out there and win ballgames."

Murphy, Cabral achieve firsts in debuts

NEW YORK -- When JR Murphy walked toward home plate for his eight-inning at-bat on Monday, the Yankee Stadium scoreboard in center field read, "Hitting for Cano."

The rookie catcher was taking his first Major League at-bat, and he was doing it in place of All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano.

Murphy made the most of his opportunity, too, drilling a hard ground ball at White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie and beating the throw to first for his first career hit.

"I didn't see what happened. I knew I hit it hard, and I saw that he had a play on it, but then I just started running," Murphy said. "I didn't know it was a hit until [first-base coach Mick] Kelleher told me it was a hit."

Murphy said his parents, who were in the stands, had their whole section "going crazy." The Yankees saved the ball for him, and Murphy said his mom plans on framing the lineup card, which manager Joe Girardi gave to him after the game.

"I was pretty nervous," Murphy said. "They told me in the bullpen and I ran down, so the nerves started then. I was pretty much nervous all the way until I got into the box, but after I took the first pitch, I felt OK."

Another Yankees rookie also got his start on Monday as reliever Cesar Cabral made his Major League debut. Cabral pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Monday's 9-1 win over the White Sox, giving up one hit and recording his first strikeout.

It represents the end of a long road back for Cabral, who missed all of 2012 with a stress fracture in his elbow.

"It feels really, really good right now," Cabral said. "My rehab went great. Thank God for it."

Cabral said the Yankees gave him the scorecard of Monday's game, something he'll leave in his house, so he can remember what he called a "great experience."

"You get a first strikeout and then a first hit," Girardi said. "It's nice to get some kids their first taste."

Claiborne back up in up-and-down season

NEW YORK -- After getting called up and sent down five times over a 10-day period in August, Preston Claiborne looks to be back with the Yankees for good this season.

The reliever was optioned on Aug. 16 to make room for infielder Mark Reynolds, recalled on Aug. 20 to be the team's 26th man during a doubleheader against the Blue Jays and optioned again after the game. He was then called up on Aug. 22 after infielder Jayson Nix went on the disabled list with a broken hand, but he was sent down again when shortstop Derek Jeter returned from the DL on Aug. 25.

Normally, teams have to wait at least 10 days to recall a player optioned to the Minor Leagues. But because Class A Tampa's season ended on Sunday, the Yankees were able to bring Claiborne back to the Bronx on Monday.

And with the ability to have expanded rosters in September -- the Yankees currently have 31 players on the active roster, 11 of which are relievers -- there likely won't be reason to option Claiborne again.

The rookie has a 2.78 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 37 appearances this season.

Bombers bits

• The Yankees' loss on Sunday was their first this season in a game they held a lead of at least two runs at home. They were previously 32-0 in those games.

• On this day in Yankees history, starter Mike Mussina came within one out of throwing a perfect game against the Red Sox on Sept. 2, 2001. Carl Everett broke up the perfect game with a two-out single in the ninth inning.

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees enjoy easy Labor Day win over White Sox

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Yanks bolster 'pen with trio of callups, one more on way

By Josh Vitale / MLB.com | 9/1/2013 12:34 P.M. ET

NEW YORK -- Joe Girardi now has a lot more options in the bullpen.

The Yankees called up left-hander Cesar Cabral and right-handers Dellin Betances and Brett Marshall when rosters expanded on Sunday. Preston Claiborne will rejoin the Yankees on Monday after Class A Tampa's season ends on Sunday, giving the Yankees' manager 11 relievers to deploy late in games.

"You try to get their feet wet," Girardi said. "You try to pick your spots, and as they succeed, maybe put them in a little more difficult spots as time goes on. I don't think you just throw them into the fire right away."

Betances (two-thirds of an inning, 54.00 ERA) and Marshall (5 2/3 innings, 7.94 ERA) have each had one stint with the Yankees this season, but Cabral will be making his Major League debut the first time he takes the mound. Cabral has a 5.40 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 36 2/3 innings between three levels of the Yankees' organization this season.

"It's exciting, because I worked for this," Cabral said. "I want to do my work right now, because they gave me the opportunity."

Betances, who was converted to a reliever this season after spending most of his career as a starter, was 6-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 108 strikeouts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Marshall has worked as a starter all season, compiling a 7-10 record and a 5.13 ERA.

The addition of Marshall gives the Yankees another long reliever to pair with Adam Warren. Girardi said it could also change the way he uses David Huff, as he could use him more as a situational left-hander and less as a long man.

Girardi said the addition of fresh arms wouldn't change his strategy too much, though.

"Now is not the time to audition, because we're fighting to get into the playoffs," Girardi said. "So I'm going to use them if there's an opportunity, but not to say, 'Let's just see what he does in this situation.' I'm going to go with the guys that have been here, for the most part."

Adams returns to Yanks, catcher Murphy also up

NEW YORK -- The Yankees bolstered their bench when rosters expanded on Sunday, calling up infielder David Adams and catcher J.R. Murphy from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Adams will be making his fourth stint with the Yankees this season, bringing with him a .194 batting average with two home runs and 11 RBIs over 39 games. He hit .268 with five home runs and 21 RBIs over 59 games in the Minors.

Sunday marks Murphy's first career callup to the Majors. The 22-year old hit .269 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs between Scranton and Double-A Trenton this season.

"Offensively, it's an up-and-down grind," Murphy said. "Defensively, I've made a lot of improvements. I think consistency is the biggest thing, obviously, at this level. That's what separates guys from this level to the Minor Leagues."

Murphy found out he was getting called up after the RailRiders' game against Lehigh Valley on Saturday. The catcher and the other callups were dropped off back in Scranton on the team's way up to Rochester, N.Y., and they left for Yankee Stadium at around 7:30 a.m. ET.

Murphy's said his parents took a 6 a.m. flight from Florida and will be at Sunday's game.

Adams will provide the Yankees infield depth behind Alex Rodriguez at third base and Robinson Cano at second. Murphy will be the team's third catcher behind Chris Stewart and Austin Romine.

"Just contribute any way they can, is the bottom line," manager Joe Girardi said. "One at-bat, you play one inning; any way you can help us out, that's all we're asking them to do."

Bombers bits

• Infielder Jayson Nix was transferred to the 60-day disabled list and outfielder Melky Mesa was released to make room for Sunday's callups on the 40-man roster. Mesa, perhaps once a candidate to get called up in September, was dealing with a hamstring injury.

• Rodriguez was back in the Yankees' lineup on Sunday after missing Saturday's game with flu-like symptoms.

• Eduardo Nunez was also back in the Yankees' lineup after missing three games with a knee injury suffered Tuesday against the Blue Jays. He played shortstop, with Derek Jeter serving as the designated hitter. Girardi said he expects Nunez to be "100 percent."

• The Yankees entered Sunday with sole possession of third place in the AL Wild Card standings, trailing the second-place Rays by 3 1/2 games. The Yankees have three games remaining against the Rays this season.

"You feel better, but you still know you can't really afford many slip-ups," Girardi said. "But you get to a certain point and continue to make up some ground, and your destiny is going to be in your own control."

• The Yankees helped the Alzheimer's Association launch "Worldwide Alzheimer's Awareness Month" on Sunday, hosting a pregame ceremony that included former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

One day, two NY ballparks, two saves for Mo

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 9/1/2013 2:45 P.M. ET

As Mariano Rivera prepares to retire, the closer's farewell tour has become a central subplot to the season. Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader has been greeted warmly in each of his road stops, and the Yankees are planning a ceremony of their own to honor Rivera's illustrious career in September.

Rivera will be the last active player to regularly wear uniform No. 42, with the number having been retired throughout MLB in 1997 to honor the achievements of barrier-breaking great Jackie Robinson. During his 19-year big league career, Rivera has also chiseled his own mark on the number's legacy. In honor of Rivera and his contributions, MLB.com is commemorating 42 notable moments from Rivera's career -- the 42 Days of Mo.

Some of Mariano Rivera's finest moments have come against the Mets -- look no further than his 500th save and lone career RBI in 2009, or his work in the 2000 World Series.

But Rivera's favorite Subway Series moment actually happened earlier in the 2000 season, on July 8, when the Yankees and Mets played a doubleheader split between Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium due to an earlier rainout. Rivera saved both ends of the twin bill, tossing two scoreless innings on a busy day of work.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yanks need Hughes to step up vs. White Sox

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Yanks' bullpen doing shutdown work in August

By Josh Vitale / MLB.com | 8/31/2013 1:01 P.M. ET

NEW YORK -- With some members of their starting rotation struggling in August, the Yankees have needed their bullpen to be extra stout late in games. And it has.

The Yankees' bullpen entered Saturday with a Major League-best 1.05 ERA since Aug. 16, allowing just five runs over 42 2/3 innings while compiling a 3-0 record and five saves.

For the season, the bullpen's 3.19 ERA ranked seventh in the Majors.

"We rely on our bullpen a lot. We try to move the ball around. We've had a lot of guys who have continued to have good years down there," manager Joe Girardi said. "You can start with [Mariano Rivera] then just kind of work your way back. We've gotten contributions from a lot of different guys."

Relievers Joba Chamberlain, David Huff, David Robertson and Adam Warren all have ERAs under 2.50 in the month of August, and Huff's (0.00) and Robertson's (0.71) ERAs this month are both less than 1.00.

In fact, the member of the bullpen with the worst ERA in August is closer Rivera, but he still has five saves despite a 4.22 ERA.

"They've been very good," Girardi said. "Very important to our success."

A-Rod a late scratch with flu-like symptoms

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez was a late scratch from the Yankees' lineup on Saturday with flu-like symptoms.

Rodriguez was playing third base and batting fifth in the original lineup. The Yankees announced the lineup change approximately 45 minutes before the start of Saturday's game against the Orioles.

"He was really sick last night and he played, and I texted him this morning and he said he wanted to try," manager Joe Girardi said. "He did some work in the cage, and then we saw him and he just didn't look good. He was pale. Hopefully tomorrow he's a lot better."

Mark Reynolds -- who was slated to start at first base -- replaced Rodriguez at third, and Lyle Overbay came off the bench to play first.

Rodriguez has hit .280 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 22 games this season. He was 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI single in the Yankees' win over the Orioles on Friday.

Reynolds making key adjustments at plate

NEW YORK -- Mark Reynolds has 198 career home runs, and he's tapped his toe before each one of them.

But after some early season struggles and a few recent adjustments, the toe tap is no longer a part of Reynolds' swing.

"Early on when I was over here, even dating back in Cleveland, I was late on a lot of pitches," Reynolds said. "So we looked at video, figured some stuff out, and we're basically trying to get my timing earlier."

Instead of tapping his toe before swinging, Reynolds has worked on getting his foot down earlier in order to speed up his timing.

Reynolds saw results in his two games prior to Saturday's against Baltimore, going 6-for-8 with three doubles and two RBIs. Overall, he entered batting batting .316 with two home runs and seven RBIs over 12 games with the Yankees.

"It's definitely gotten me on time more. I'm able to recognize more pitches, not swing at as many balls, and make better contact," Reynolds said. "So we'll see if I can stay consistent with it and keep swinging well."

Reynolds started at third base and batted sixth against the Orioles on Saturday.

"I've seen him get really hot. He's the kind of guy who can drive in 30 runs in a month," manager Joe Girardi said. "We've just had him for a short period of time. But he made a slight adjustment, we like what we see, and we're going to continue to play him."

Bombers bits

• Rosters expand on Sunday, but the Yankees haven't made a final decision on which players they will call up, or even how many. Girardi said he would talk to general manager Brian Cashman and finalize those plans on Saturday night.

• Alfonso Soriano has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late, but he's been much more successful as a left fielder than he has as a designated hitter, which is where he will play on Sunday. Soriano entered Saturday batting .262 as a left fielder this season but just .238 as a DH.

"You want him to be able to play every day," Girardi said. "So if you can get him a little time off his feet, you hope that it's helpful."

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reynolds making key adjustments at plate

By Josh Vitale / MLB.com | 8/31/2013 1:01 P.M. ET

NEW YORK -- Mark Reynolds has 198 career home runs, and he's tapped his toe before each one of them.

But after some early season struggles and a few recent adjustments, the toe tap is no longer a part of Reynolds' swing.

"Early on when I was over here, even dating back in Cleveland, I was late on a lot of pitches," Reynolds said. "So we looked at video, figured some stuff out, and we're basically trying to get my timing earlier."

Instead of tapping his toe before swinging, Reynolds has worked on getting his foot down earlier in order to speed up his timing.

Reynolds saw results in his two games prior to Saturday's against Baltimore, going 6-for-8 with three doubles and two RBIs. Overall, he entered batting batting .316 with two home runs and seven RBIs over 12 games with the Yankees.

"It's definitely gotten me on time more. I'm able to recognize more pitches, not swing at as many balls, and make better contact," Reynolds said. "So we'll see if I can stay consistent with it and keep swinging well."

Reynolds started at third base and batted sixth against the Orioles on Saturday.

"I've seen him get really hot. He's the kind of guy who can drive in 30 runs in a month," manager Joe Girardi said. "We've just had him for a short period of time. But he made a slight adjustment, we like what we see, and we're going to continue to play him."

A-Rod a late scratch with flu-like symptoms

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez was a late scratch from the Yankees' lineup on Saturday with flu-like symptoms.

Rodriguez was playing third base and batting fifth in the original lineup. The Yankees announced the lineup change approximately 45 minutes before the start of Saturday's game against the Orioles.

"He was really sick last night and he played, and I texted him this morning and he said he wanted to try," manager Joe Girardi said. "He did some work in the cage, and then we saw him and he just didn't look good. He was pale. Hopefully tomorrow he's a lot better."

Mark Reynolds -- who was slated to start at first base -- replaced Rodriguez at third, and Lyle Overbay came off the bench to play first.

Rodriguez has hit .280 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 22 games this season. He was 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI single in the Yankees' win over the Orioles on Friday.

Yanks' bullpen doing shutdown work in August

NEW YORK -- With some members of their starting rotation struggling in August, the Yankees have needed their bullpen to be extra stout late in games. And it has.

The Yankees' bullpen entered Saturday with a Major League-best 1.05 ERA since Aug. 16, allowing just five runs over 42 2/3 innings while compiling a 3-0 record and five saves.

For the season, the bullpen's 3.19 ERA ranked seventh in the Majors.

"We rely on our bullpen a lot. We try to move the ball around. We've had a lot of guys who have continued to have good years down there," manager Joe Girardi said. "You can start with [Mariano Rivera] then just kind of work your way back. We've gotten contributions from a lot of different guys."

Relievers Joba Chamberlain, David Huff, David Robertson and Adam Warren all have ERAs under 2.50 in the month of August, and Huff's (0.00) and Robertson's (0.71) ERAs this month are both less than 1.00.

In fact, the member of the bullpen with the worst ERA in August is closer Rivera, but he still has five saves despite a 4.22 ERA.

"They've been very good," Girardi said. "Very important to our success."

Bombers bits

• Rosters expand on Sunday, but the Yankees haven't made a final decision on which players they will call up, or even how many. Girardi said he would talk to general manager Brian Cashman and finalize those plans on Saturday night.

• Alfonso Soriano has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late, but he's been much more successful as a left fielder than he has as a designated hitter, which is where he will play on Sunday. Soriano entered Saturday batting .262 as a left fielder this season but just .238 as a DH.

"You want him to be able to play every day," Girardi said. "So if you can get him a little time off his feet, you hope that it's helpful."

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

A-Rod a late scratch with flu-like symptoms

By Josh Vitale / MLB.com | 8/31/2013 1:01 P.M. ET

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez was a late scratch from the Yankees' lineup on Saturday with flu-like symptoms.

Rodriguez was playing third base and batting fifth in the original lineup. The Yankees announced the lineup change approximately 45 minutes before the start of Saturday's game against the Orioles.

"He was really sick last night and he played, and I texted him this morning and he said he wanted to try," manager Joe Girardi said. "He did some work in the cage, and then we saw him and he just didn't look good. He was pale. Hopefully tomorrow he's a lot better."

Mark Reynolds -- who was slated to start at first base -- replaced Rodriguez at third, and Lyle Overbay came off the bench to play first.

Rodriguez has hit .280 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 22 games this season. He was 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI single in the Yankees' win over the Orioles on Friday.

Yanks' bullpen doing shutdown work in August

NEW YORK -- With some members of their starting rotation struggling in August, the Yankees have needed their bullpen to be extra stout late in games. And it has.

The Yankees' bullpen entered Saturday with a Major League-best 1.05 ERA since Aug. 16, allowing just five runs over 42 2/3 innings while compiling a 3-0 record and five saves.

For the season, the bullpen's 3.19 ERA ranked seventh in the Majors.

"We rely on our bullpen a lot. We try to move the ball around. We've had a lot of guys who have continued to have good years down there," manager Joe Girardi said. "You can start with [Mariano Rivera] then just kind of work your way back. We've gotten contributions from a lot of different guys."

Relievers Joba Chamberlain, David Huff, David Robertson and Adam Warren all have ERAs under 2.50 in the month of August, and Huff's (0.00) and Robertson's (0.71) ERAs this month are both less than 1.00.

In fact, the member of the bullpen with the worst ERA in August is closer Rivera, but he still has five saves despite a 4.22 ERA.

"They've been very good," Girardi said. "Very important to our success."

Reynolds making key adjustments at plate

NEW YORK -- Mark Reynolds has 198 career home runs, and he's tapped his toe before each one of them.

But after some early season struggles and a few recent adjustments, the toe tap is no longer a part of Reynolds' swing.

"Early on when I was over here, even dating back in Cleveland, I was late on a lot of pitches," Reynolds said. "So we looked at video, figured some stuff out, and we're basically trying to get my timing earlier."

Instead of tapping his toe before swinging, Reynolds has worked on getting his foot down earlier in order to speed up his timing.

Reynolds saw results in his two games prior to Saturday's against Baltimore, going 6-for-8 with three doubles and two RBIs. Overall, he entered batting batting .316 with two home runs and seven RBIs over 12 games with the Yankees.

"It's definitely gotten me on time more. I'm able to recognize more pitches, not swing at as many balls, and make better contact," Reynolds said. "So we'll see if I can stay consistent with it and keep swinging well."

Reynolds started at third base and batted sixth against the Orioles on Saturday.

"I've seen him get really hot. He's the kind of guy who can drive in 30 runs in a month," manager Joe Girardi said. "We've just had him for a short period of time. But he made a slight adjustment, we like what we see, and we're going to continue to play him."

Bombers bits

• Rosters expand on Sunday, but the Yankees haven't made a final decision on which players they will call up, or even how many. Girardi said he would talk to general manager Brian Cashman and finalize those plans on Saturday night.

• Alfonso Soriano has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late, but he's been much more successful as a left fielder than he has as a designated hitter, which is where he will play on Sunday. Soriano entered Saturday batting .262 as a left fielder this season but just .238 as a DH.

"You want him to be able to play every day," Girardi said. "So if you can get him a little time off his feet, you hope that it's helpful."

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yanks playing the hot hand with Reynolds at first

By Josh Vitale / MLB.com | 8/31/2013 12:27 A.M. ET

NEW YORK -- When right-handed-hitting Mark Reynolds first joined the Yankees on Aug. 16, he was put into a platoon at first base with left-handed hitter and incumbent starter Lyle Overbay.

But in Friday's 8-5 victory over the Orioles, Reynolds started against right-hander Miguel Gonzalez and batted seventh, not Overbay. Reynolds has been the more productive hitter recently, and manager Joe Girardi said he wanted to keep the hot hand in the lineup.

Reynolds awarded his manager's confidence on Friday, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run to notch his second consecutive three-hit game.

"He made a little adjustment in his swing, he swung the bat really good the other night and he's swung the bat pretty good for us," Girardi said. "I just kind of see, with the adjustments Mark has made, he can be extremely productive. Because we've seen him get extremely hot. ... That would be huge for us."

Reynolds is batting .316, two home runs and seven RBIs since joining the Yankees two weeks ago, and he went 4-for-8 in two games against the Blue Jays this week.

Overbay is batting just .190 with no home runs and one RBI over the same two-week period -- though he did miss two games against the Rays with flu-like symptoms -- and he was hitless in seven at-bats in Toronto.

"As I told Lyle, I'm just going to see what happens. It doesn't mean that [Overbay] won't play tomorrow, because he very well could be back in there tomorrow," Girardi said.

"But we've seen Mark get really hot, he's swinging the bat well right now and let's just see what happens."

Cano returns to lineup, but Nunez sits again

NEW YORK -- Robinson Cano was back in the Yankees lineup Friday after missing Wednesday's game with a bruised left hand, playing second base and batting third against the Orioles.

He bruised the Orioles' pitching staff in his first game back, too, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Cano suffered the injury after getting hit by a pitch from Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ in the first inning of Tuesday's game. Precautionary X-rays taken on Tuesday were negative.

Manager Joe Girardi said before the game that there was a chance Cano could be taken out of the lineup if he didn't get through batting practice without issue. But Cano said he felt good after taking batting practice and his hand didn't seem to be an issue during the game.

"When your team makes a lineup, the last thing you want is missing guys," Cano said before Friday's 8-5 victory over the Orioles. "Hopefully I'll be able to play today and it's just one day [missed]. Good thing it was nothing worse than that."

Infielder Eduardo Nunez was also injured in Tuesday's game, twisting his knee while trying to field a ground ball after replacing Cano at second base. Nunez sat out on Wednesday did not play on Friday, but said he expected to be available for the Yankees if they needed him.

"I think I can play today if they need me," Nunez said. "And help."

Cano is batting .307 with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs this season. Nunez is hitting .248 with one home run, 20 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Girardi stresses playoff implications of homestand

NEW YORK -- The Yankees entered Friday's game five games back for the second spot in the Wild Card standings and eight games back in the American League East race, but they still have an opportunity to make up ground in their playoff chase.

New York started a critical 10-game home stand on Friday, and seven of those games are against the Orioles -- who are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees in the Wild Card race -- and the AL East-leading Red Sox.

"I know we have to play awfully well to get to where we want," manager Joe Girardi said. "And we have an opportunity to pass teams that are in front of us because we're playing them, but we're going to have to play really good baseball."

In fact, this weekend could play a pivotal role in the Wild Card race for all the teams involved. The Yankees are playing the Orioles, the Wild Card-leading A's are playing the Rays -- who are second in the Wild Card standings -- and the Indians, who are one game ahead of the Yankees in the standings, are playing the AL Central-leading Tigers.

Overall, 10 of the Yankees' remaining 29 games are against teams ahead of them in the Wild Card standings.

Girardi predicted earlier that the Yankees would have to win 93 games to make the postseason, because that was the same number of wins that earned the Orioles and Rangers Wild Card spots last year.

The Yankees would have to go 23-6 over their final 29 games to reach that win total this season.

"I think they would have had to be on another planet to not know how important this stretch of games is," Girardi said. "They understand. These guys are used to playing in October, and that's our goal."

Hughes' next start pushed back to Monday

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Friday that Phil Hughes will have his next start pushed back one day.

Hughes was originally slated to pitch Sunday's series finale against the Orioles, but he will now pitch Monday against the White Sox. Andy Pettitte will start on Sunday.

The right-handed Hughes has struggled throughout the season, compiling a 4-13 record and a 4.91 ERA. He hasn't won a start since July 2, and he's lost 11 of his last 13 decisions.

Hughes was knocked around for five runs -- three earned -- over 4 2/3 innings in a loss against Toronto on Monday. Pettitte, on the other hand, threw seven shutout innings in a win over the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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