Classic-bound Yanks to play early before departure

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees could be sending a total of seven players from their organization to the World Baseball Classic, most notably Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira, and manager Joe Girardi said Thursday he'll try to get them as many at-bats as possible before they depart to play for their respective countries.

Girardi said Cano (Dominican Republic) and Teixeira (United States) will travel with the club to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Saturday to play the Braves, adding that Cano will likely play six of the Yankees' first eight games while Teixeira figures to play five of those.

Girardi singled out a few other players scheduled to take part in the Classic who will receive more playing time the first week or so of Grapefruit League play: outfielder Melky Mesa (Dominican Republic), infielder Gil Velazquez (Mexico) and left-hander Juan Cedeno (Dominican Republic).

Minor League right-hander Pat Venditte, who spent last year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will play for Team Italy, and Minor League infielder Walter Ibarra is expected to play for Mexico.

Girardi eyeing effects of outfield change

TAMPA, Fla. -- It's difficult to calculate exactly what kind of impact Brett Gardner's move to center field will have on the Yankees' defense. It's even more difficult to figure out what kind of effect, if any, the switch will have on Gardner and Curtis Granderson at the plate.

Both outfielders said Thursday they didn't think switching positions would negatively affect their offensive production. But manager Joe Girardi said it's something to keep an eye on, specifically with Granderson, as the spring goes on and they spend more time in their new roles.

"It's still a legit concern, how it affects him at the plate, how it affects his game," Girardi said. "That's something I'll think about.

"It could affect both of them. [Gardner has] played a little bit of center when we've given Grandy a day off, but Grandy really hasn't played left field."

Gardner offered that his defense has nothing to do with his offense, and Granderson said he's done enough moving around -- bouncing up and down the lineup, playing for different teams and so on -- to adapt on the fly.

"I've done everything," Granderson said. "It's just another one of those changes, and change is always a good thing."

But it's not easy to evaluate where a player stands during Spring Training, especially early on. The at-bats are few and far between, the pitchers are supposed to be ahead of the hitters and the bloated Spring Training rosters sometimes lead to unequal competition.

Girardi admitted that it won't be easy to gauge how the switch is affecting either player offensively or defensively during Spring Training, but he hoped the Yankees could figure it out over the next month and a half.

"We do have a lot of games, and hopefully we'll get a pretty good read on what we're going to see," Girardi said. "If people don't want to hit the ball to either one of them for the whole year, that's fine with me."

Suzuki takes Kuroda deep in live batting practice

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Hiroki Kuroda threw live batting practice Thursday to a group of Yankees outfielders that included fellow Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki.

Toward the end of the batting practice session, Juan Rivera crushed a homer off Kuroda to deep left field. Ichiro followed that up by lining a shot two rows deep into the right-field stands, prompting a roar of cheers from the fans sitting in the George M. Steinbrenner Field bleachers.

Manager Joe Girardi wasn't there to watch Kuroda pitch, but joked afterward, "I heard he threw strikes."

Ichiro took in the crowd's applause, bowing and doffing his helmet and saying, "Thank you." Even Kuroda cracked a smile on the mound.

"They knew it was coming, I heard," Girardi said.

Bombers bits

• Girardi said right-hander Phil Hughes, who revealed Wednesday that he had a bulging disk in his upper back that will keep him sidelined for about two weeks, was feeling better Thursday. Hughes is still taking anti-inflammatory medication and isn't expected to progress to the next step of his recovery, working out in a pool, for a few more days.

"Good sign for me," Girardi said.

• Right-hander Mark Montgomery, who had been sidelined with back spasms but began throwing, was also feeling "much better," according to Girardi. Montgomery has been playing catch since Tuesday.

• Girardi joked again Thursday about the idea of designated hitter Travis Hafner playing the field. Hafner hasn't been doing any defensive drills, and Girardi said it would have to be an "emergency, emergency situation" for Hafner to put on a glove in a game. Hafner hasn't played defense since 2007 due to an arthritic right elbow, and Girardi quipped that the only gloves the 35-year-old slugger will need are batting gloves.

"When we do fielding drills, he goes to the cage," Girardi said. "He's a DH."

• With the Yankees' Grapefruit League schedule beginning Saturday with a road trip to face the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the Bombers will have a shorter workout Friday.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Girardi eyeing effects of outfield change

TAMPA, Fla. -- It's difficult to calculate exactly what kind of impact Brett Gardner's move to center field will have on the Yankees' defense. It's even more difficult to figure out what kind of effect, if any, the switch will have on Gardner and Curtis Granderson at the plate.

Both outfielders said Thursday they didn't think switching positions would negatively affect their offensive production. But manager Joe Girardi said it's something to keep an eye on, specifically with Granderson, as the spring goes on and they spend more time in their new roles.

"It's still a legit concern, how it affects him at the plate, how it affects his game," Girardi said. "That's something I'll think about.

"It could affect both of them. [Gardner has] played a little bit of center when we've given Grandy a day off, but Grandy really hasn't played left field."

Gardner offered that his defense has nothing to do with his offense, and Granderson said he's done enough moving around -- bouncing up and down the lineup, playing for different teams and so on -- to adapt on the fly.

"I've done everything," Granderson said. "It's just another one of those changes, and change is always a good thing."

But it's not easy to evaluate where a player stands during Spring Training, especially early on. The at-bats are few and far between, the pitchers are supposed to be ahead of the hitters and the bloated Spring Training rosters sometimes lead to unequal competition.

Girardi admitted that it won't be easy to gauge how the switch is affecting either player offensively or defensively during Spring Training, but he hoped the Yankees could figure it out over the next month and a half.

"We do have a lot of games, and hopefully we'll get a pretty good read on what we're going to see," Girardi said. "If people don't want to hit the ball to either one of them for the whole year, that's fine with me."

Classic-bound Yanks to play early before departure

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees could be sending a total of seven players from their organization to the World Baseball Classic, most notably Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira, and manager Joe Girardi said Thursday he'll try to get them as many at-bats as possible before they depart to play for their respective countries.

Girardi said Cano (Dominican Republic) and Teixeira (United States) will travel with the club to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Saturday to play the Braves, adding that Cano will likely play six of the Yankees' first eight games while Teixeira figures to play five of those.

Girardi singled out a few other players scheduled to take part in the Classic who will receive more playing time the first week or so of Grapefruit League play: outfielder Melky Mesa (Dominican Republic), infielder Gil Velazquez (Mexico) and left-hander Juan Cedeno (Dominican Republic).

Minor League right-hander Pat Venditte, who spent last year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will play for Team Italy, and Minor League infielder Walter Ibarra is expected to play for Mexico.

Suzuki takes Kuroda deep in live batting practice

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Hiroki Kuroda threw live batting practice Thursday to a group of Yankees outfielders that included fellow Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki.

Toward the end of the batting practice session, Juan Rivera crushed a homer off Kuroda to deep left field. Ichiro followed that up by lining a shot two rows deep into the right-field stands, prompting a roar of cheers from the fans sitting in the George M. Steinbrenner Field bleachers.

Manager Joe Girardi wasn't there to watch Kuroda pitch, but joked afterward, "I heard he threw strikes."

Ichiro took in the crowd's applause, bowing and doffing his helmet and saying, "Thank you." Even Kuroda cracked a smile on the mound.

"They knew it was coming, I heard," Girardi said.

Bombers bits

• Girardi said right-hander Phil Hughes, who revealed Wednesday that he had a bulging disk in his upper back that will keep him sidelined for about two weeks, was feeling better Thursday. Hughes is still taking anti-inflammatory medication and isn't expected to progress to the next step of his recovery, working out in a pool, for a few more days.

"Good sign for me," Girardi said.

• Right-hander Mark Montgomery, who had been sidelined with back spasms but began throwing, was also feeling "much better," according to Girardi. Montgomery has been playing catch since Tuesday.

• Girardi joked again Thursday about the idea of designated hitter Travis Hafner playing the field. Hafner hasn't been doing any defensive drills, and Girardi said it would have to be an "emergency, emergency situation" for Hafner to put on a glove in a game. Hafner hasn't played defense since 2007 due to an arthritic right elbow, and Girardi quipped that the only gloves the 35-year-old slugger will need are batting gloves.

"When we do fielding drills, he goes to the cage," Girardi said. "He's a DH."

• With the Yankees' Grapefruit League schedule beginning Saturday with a road trip to face the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the Bombers will have a shorter workout Friday.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rehabbing A-Rod working to rejoin team this year

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 2/21/2013 7:15 P.M. ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- While the Yankees prepare to begin their Grapefruit League schedule this weekend, third baseman Alex Rodriguez is working on his rehabilitation from hip surgery in New York, hoping to get back on the field this season.

Rodriguez issued a statement through his spokesman Thurdsay, saying he is working out under the supervision of Dr. Bryan Kelly and trainer Pete Draovitch. Kelly performed Rodriguez's two-hour operation in January at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

The anticipated full recovery from the surgery is six months, which would put Rodriguez in line to return around the middle of the season.

"Right now I'm dedicating 100% of my energy and focus on my rehabilitation. I am conducting two rehab sessions each and every day in an effort to get back on the field and rejoin my Yankees teammates," Rodriguez said in his statement. "I think we have a great team and I want to be a part of it."

Rodriguez is among the Major Leaguers linked to the controversy involving Biogenesis, a Miami-area anti-aging clinic that reportedly sold performance-enhancing drugs to players. Major League Baseball is currently investigating the clinic.

Rodriguez has denied having any connection to Biogenesis or its director, Anthony Bosch. The Yankees have declined to comment on the situation due to the pending MLB investigation.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Joba nearly plunks Nunez during batting practice

TAMPA, Fla. -- Batting practice turned into an eventful, albeit somewhat dangerous, happening on Wednesday.

On a back field at the Yankees' Spring Training complex, Curtis Granderson lined a pitch that hit non-roster right-hander Kelvin Perez in the left elbow. Perez finished his throwing session, but he walked around the clubhouse Wednesday afternoon with a compression bandage wrapped around his left arm.

On the main field, right-hander Joba Chamberlain's second pitch to infielder Eduardo Nunez buzzed just behind his head. Nunez dropped to the dirt and stayed down several seconds, but he bounced up fine. After swinging at Chamberlain's first pitch, Nunez watched the rest pound the catcher's mitt.

"I was so scared," Nunez laughed afterward. "The first day, behind my head, I was so scared. I don't want to hit anymore. ... [Chamberlain] said, 'I'm sorry, my bad, Nuney.'"

Aside from Chamberlain's way-up-and-in offering to Nunez, he appeared to be throwing the ball with the kind of power one would expect out of the big right-hander. Manager Joe Girardi agreed that Chamberlain seems to have regained his strength after sitting out most of last year with a severe ankle injury.

Chamberlain returned to the mound Aug. 1 last season and pitched 20 2/3 innings in 22 games, recording a 4.35 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

"As we get closer to the end [of Spring Training], I expect to see the power that he has. I think you'll see it from him," Girardi said, "but sometimes, arm strength takes some time to develop in Spring Training for these power guys. Big thing is, you're getting outs. That's the bottom line."

Cashman declines to talk about Cano's contract

TAMPA, Fla. -- General manager Brian Cashman declined to comment Wednesday morning when asked if he was optimistic about signing Robinson Cano to a long-term extension.

On Tuesday, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner told The Associated Press that there were no new developments in contract talks with Cano, who will become a free agent after this season.

"We expressed to [agent] Scott [Boras] how much we like Robbie and what a great Yankee he's been, and we hope he continues his career here for a long time to come," Steinbrenner told the AP. "We just indicated to him on a very preliminary basis that we were willing to consider a significant long-term contract and left it at that. There's really nothing to report since then.

"The main purpose of the conversation was to just let him know we want Robbie to continue to be a Yankee."

Cano discussed his impending free agency with the media Monday, mostly saying that he wasn't worried about it or focused on it and he'll leave any negotiations to Boras.

The second baseman's $15 million option was picked up by the Yankees in October. The 30-year-old batted .313 with a career-high 33 homers and 94 RBIs last season, but he went 3-for-40 in a disappointing postseason performance. For his career, Cano owns a .308/.351/.503 batting line with 177 home runs and 715 RBIs.

Cano would figure to be the most sought-after player on the open market next winter, and most reports project that he's in line for a massive payday, something in the range of an eight- to 10-year deal with an annual salary around $25 million.

Cano said Monday that he didn't know if he'd be open to discussing a contract extension once the season begins. The Yankees have generally avoided doing so with cornerstone players like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.

"I don't feel anything about nervousness," Cano said Monday. "To be honest, I'm not focused on free agency. My focus right now is on the 2013 season. I still have one more year under contract and my mind right now is just on helping the team win another championship."

Pineda pleads no contest to DUI charge

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda on Wednesday pleaded no contest to driving under the influence, according to The Associated Press.

Pineda, 24, was arrested and charged for driving under the influence of alcohol on Aug. 20. He was arrested without incident and released on $500 bond. The arresting officer wrote at the time that Pineda "had a fixed gaze and his eyes were bloodshot, watery and glassy," that his breath smelled of alcohol and that his speech was slurred.

According to the AP, Pineda entered the plea Wednesday in a Tampa courtroom, and the judge ordered that he serve 50 hours of community service and up to one year of probation, attend DUI school and pay a $500 fine.

Pineda, who was traded from Seattle to New York last winter, sat out the entire 2012 season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He underwent surgery last April and isn't expected to pitch in any Grapefruit League games this spring as he works his way back from the injury. General manager Brian Cashman has said June is a realistic return date for Pineda.

Bombers bits

• Girardi couldn't offer a timeline for shortstop Derek Jeter to start running the bases, but he said Jeter looked "OK" during pop-up drills Wednesday.

"I didn't want him running all over the place," Girardi said. "I said, 'Be careful,' when he's out there."

• Girardi spoke highly of the Yankees' young pitchers taking the mound in camp. He singled out 21-year-old right-hander Corey Black, taken in the fourth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, as well as right-handers Bryan Mitchell, 21, and Jose Ramirez, 23. More than anything, Girardi seemed pleased, as he said, "There's more than like one or two."

"There's some power arms that we're seeing," Girardi added. "There are a number of guys that you're going to see throw, probably in Spring Training, 93-95 [mph], and if they're here a long time, you're going to see higher than that.

"We haven't had that, and we have it right now. I know they're young, but it's kind of exciting."

• Girardi said it was "just the way it worked out" that Chamberlain didn't throw to Kevin Youkilis' batting practice group Wednesday. The manager also said there was nothing to look into regarding Brett Gardner's placement in left field and Curtis Granderson in center during outfield drills.

Adam Berry is a 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

Cashman declines to talk about Cano's contract

TAMPA, Fla. -- General manager Brian Cashman declined to comment Wednesday morning when asked if he was optimistic about signing Robinson Cano to a long-term extension.

On Tuesday, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner told The Associated Press that there were no new developments in contract talks with Cano, who will become a free agent after this season.

"We expressed to [agent] Scott [Boras] how much we like Robbie and what a great Yankee he's been, and we hope he continues his career here for a long time to come," Steinbrenner told the AP. "We just indicated to him on a very preliminary basis that we were willing to consider a significant long-term contract and left it at that. There's really nothing to report since then.

"The main purpose of the conversation was to just let him know we want Robbie to continue to be a Yankee."

Cano discussed his impending free agency with the media Monday, mostly saying that he wasn't worried about it or focused on it and he'll leave any negotiations to Boras.

The second baseman's $15 million option was picked up by the Yankees in October. The 30-year-old batted .313 with a career-high 33 homers and 94 RBIs last season, but he went 3-for-40 in a disappointing postseason performance. For his career, Cano owns a .308/.351/.503 batting line with 177 home runs and 715 RBIs.

Cano would figure to be the most sought-after player on the open market next winter, and most reports project that he's in line for a massive payday, something in the range of an eight- to 10-year deal with an annual salary around $25 million.

Cano said Monday that he didn't know if he'd be open to discussing a contract extension once the season begins. The Yankees have generally avoided doing so with cornerstone players like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.

"I don't feel anything about nervousness," Cano said Monday. "To be honest, I'm not focused on free agency. My focus right now is on the 2013 season. I still have one more year under contract and my mind right now is just on helping the team win another championship."

Joba nearly plunks Nunez during batting practice

TAMPA, Fla. -- Batting practice turned into an eventful, albeit somewhat dangerous, happening on Wednesday.

On a back field at the Yankees' Spring Training complex, Curtis Granderson lined a pitch that hit non-roster right-hander Kelvin Perez in the left elbow. Perez finished his throwing session, but he walked around the clubhouse Wednesday afternoon with a compression bandage wrapped around his left arm.

On the main field, right-hander Joba Chamberlain's second pitch to infielder Eduardo Nunez buzzed just behind his head. Nunez dropped to the dirt and stayed down several seconds, but he bounced up fine. After swinging at Chamberlain's first pitch, Nunez watched the rest pound the catcher's mitt.

"I was so scared," Nunez laughed afterward. "The first day, behind my head, I was so scared. I don't want to hit anymore. ... [Chamberlain] said, 'I'm sorry, my bad, Nuney.'"

Aside from Chamberlain's way-up-and-in offering to Nunez, he appeared to be throwing the ball with the kind of power one would expect out of the big right-hander. Manager Joe Girardi agreed that Chamberlain seems to have regained his strength after sitting out most of last year with a severe ankle injury.

Chamberlain returned to the mound Aug. 1 last season and pitched 20 2/3 innings in 22 games, recording a 4.35 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

"As we get closer to the end [of Spring Training], I expect to see the power that he has. I think you'll see it from him," Girardi said, "but sometimes, arm strength takes some time to develop in Spring Training for these power guys. Big thing is, you're getting outs. That's the bottom line."

Pineda pleads no contest to DUI charge

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda on Wednesday pleaded no contest to driving under the influence, according to The Associated Press.

Pineda, 24, was arrested and charged for driving under the influence of alcohol on Aug. 20. He was arrested without incident and released on $500 bond. The arresting officer wrote at the time that Pineda "had a fixed gaze and his eyes were bloodshot, watery and glassy," that his breath smelled of alcohol and that his speech was slurred.

According to the AP, Pineda entered the plea Wednesday in a Tampa courtroom, and the judge ordered that he serve 50 hours of community service and up to one year of probation, attend DUI school and pay a $500 fine.

Pineda, who was traded from Seattle to New York last winter, sat out the entire 2012 season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He underwent surgery last April and isn't expected to pitch in any Grapefruit League games this spring as he works his way back from the injury. General manager Brian Cashman has said June is a realistic return date for Pineda.

Bombers bits

• Girardi couldn't offer a timeline for shortstop Derek Jeter to start running the bases, but he said Jeter looked "OK" during pop-up drills Wednesday.

"I didn't want him running all over the place," Girardi said. "I said, 'Be careful,' when he's out there."

• Girardi spoke highly of the Yankees' young pitchers taking the mound in camp. He singled out 21-year-old right-hander Corey Black, taken in the fourth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, as well as right-handers Bryan Mitchell, 21, and Jose Ramirez, 23. More than anything, Girardi seemed pleased, as he said, "There's more than like one or two."

"There's some power arms that we're seeing," Girardi added. "There are a number of guys that you're going to see throw, probably in Spring Training, 93-95 [mph], and if they're here a long time, you're going to see higher than that.

"We haven't had that, and we have it right now. I know they're young, but it's kind of exciting."

• Girardi said it was "just the way it worked out" that Chamberlain didn't throw to Kevin Youkilis' batting practice group Wednesday. The manager also said there was nothing to look into regarding Brett Gardner's placement in left field and Curtis Granderson in center during outfield drills.

Adam Berry is a 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

Pineda pleads no contest to DUI charge

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda on Wednesday pleaded no contest to driving under the influence, according to The Associated Press.

Pineda, 24, was arrested and charged for driving under the influence of alcohol on Aug. 20. He was arrested without incident and released on $500 bond. The arresting officer wrote at the time that Pineda "had a fixed gaze and his eyes were bloodshot, watery and glassy," that his breath smelled of alcohol and that his speech was slurred.

According to the AP, Pineda entered the plea Wednesday in a Tampa courtroom, and the judge ordered that he serve 50 hours of community service and up to one year of probation, attend DUI school and pay a $500 fine.

Pineda, who was traded from Seattle to New York last winter, sat out the entire 2012 season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He underwent surgery last April and isn't expected to pitch in any Grapefruit League games this spring as he works his way back from the injury. General manager Brian Cashman has said June is a realistic return date for Pineda.

Cashman declines to talk about Cano's contract

TAMPA, Fla. -- General manager Brian Cashman declined to comment Wednesday morning when asked if he was optimistic about signing Robinson Cano to a long-term extension.

On Tuesday, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner told The Associated Press that there were no new developments in contract talks with Cano, who will become a free agent after this season.

"We expressed to [agent] Scott [Boras] how much we like Robbie and what a great Yankee he's been, and we hope he continues his career here for a long time to come," Steinbrenner told the AP. "We just indicated to him on a very preliminary basis that we were willing to consider a significant long-term contract and left it at that. There's really nothing to report since then.

"The main purpose of the conversation was to just let him know we want Robbie to continue to be a Yankee."

Cano discussed his impending free agency with the media Monday, mostly saying that he wasn't worried about it or focused on it and he'll leave any negotiations to Boras.

The second baseman's $15 million option was picked up by the Yankees in October. The 30-year-old batted .313 with a career-high 33 homers and 94 RBIs last season, but he went 3-for-40 in a disappointing postseason performance. For his career, Cano owns a .308/.351/.503 batting line with 177 home runs and 715 RBIs.

Cano would figure to be the most sought-after player on the open market next winter, and most reports project that he's in line for a massive payday, something in the range of an eight- to 10-year deal with an annual salary around $25 million.

Cano said Monday that he didn't know if he'd be open to discussing a contract extension once the season begins. The Yankees have generally avoided doing so with cornerstone players like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.

"I don't feel anything about nervousness," Cano said Monday. "To be honest, I'm not focused on free agency. My focus right now is on the 2013 season. I still have one more year under contract and my mind right now is just on helping the team win another championship."

Joba nearly plunks Nunez during batting practice

TAMPA, Fla. -- Batting practice turned into an eventful, albeit somewhat dangerous, happening on Wednesday.

On a back field at the Yankees' Spring Training complex, Curtis Granderson lined a pitch that hit non-roster right-hander Kelvin Perez in the left elbow. Perez finished his throwing session, but he walked around the clubhouse Wednesday afternoon with a compression bandage wrapped around his left arm.

On the main field, right-hander Joba Chamberlain's second pitch to infielder Eduardo Nunez buzzed just behind his head. Nunez dropped to the dirt and stayed down several seconds, but he bounced up fine. After swinging at Chamberlain's first pitch, Nunez watched the rest pound the catcher's mitt.

"I was so scared," Nunez laughed afterward. "The first day, behind my head, I was so scared. I don't want to hit anymore. ... [Chamberlain] said, 'I'm sorry, my bad, Nuney.'"

Aside from Chamberlain's way-up-and-in offering to Nunez, he appeared to be throwing the ball with the kind of power one would expect out of the big right-hander. Manager Joe Girardi agreed that Chamberlain seems to have regained his strength after sitting out most of last year with a severe ankle injury.

Chamberlain returned to the mound Aug. 1 last season and pitched 20 2/3 innings in 22 games, recording a 4.35 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

"As we get closer to the end [of Spring Training], I expect to see the power that he has. I think you'll see it from him," Girardi said, "but sometimes, arm strength takes some time to develop in Spring Training for these power guys. Big thing is, you're getting outs. That's the bottom line."

Bombers bits

• Girardi couldn't offer a timeline for shortstop Derek Jeter to start running the bases, but he said Jeter looked "OK" during pop-up drills Wednesday.

"I didn't want him running all over the place," Girardi said. "I said, 'Be careful,' when he's out there."

• Girardi spoke highly of the Yankees' young pitchers taking the mound in camp. He singled out 21-year-old right-hander Corey Black, taken in the fourth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, as well as right-handers Bryan Mitchell, 21, and Jose Ramirez, 23. More than anything, Girardi seemed pleased, as he said, "There's more than like one or two."

"There's some power arms that we're seeing," Girardi added. "There are a number of guys that you're going to see throw, probably in Spring Training, 93-95 [mph], and if they're here a long time, you're going to see higher than that.

"We haven't had that, and we have it right now. I know they're young, but it's kind of exciting."

• Girardi said it was "just the way it worked out" that Chamberlain didn't throw to Kevin Youkilis' batting practice group Wednesday. The manager also said there was nothing to look into regarding Brett Gardner's placement in left field and Curtis Granderson in center during outfield drills.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hughes sidelined with upper back discomfort

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Phil Hughes will be sidelined at Yankees camp after experiencing upper back discomfort during a defensive drill.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Hughes complained of stiffness behind his right shoulder after covering first base while the club's pitchers were taking fielding practice on Monday.

Hughes was sent to be examined by a doctor on Tuesday, and Girardi said that he expects Hughes to miss "a few days."

"There's always a little bit of concern," Girardi said. "It's [his] upper back, so we'll see how he is in a couple of days. The good thing is, he was ahead of where he'd probably normally be at this time, so it helps."

Hughes, 26, was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts last season. This promises to be an important year for the hurler, who can be eligible for free agency after the 2013 campaign.

Phelps to start first Grapefruit League game

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have decided on their starters for the first two games of the Grapefruit League schedule, sending right-handers David Phelps and Adam Warren to the mound.

Phelps will be on the hill for the Yanks' first game on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., while Warren will pitch New York's home opener on Sunday against the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

As preparation, both pitchers threw two-inning simulated games on Tuesday morning, shedding the protective L-screen as they pitched to Minor League hitters Cito Culver, Addison Maruszak, Corban Joseph and Ronnier Mustelier.

Phelps narrowly escaped a scary moment when Mustelier laced a hot liner back up the middle, forcing Phelps to twist out of the way as the ball slammed into a net placed behind the mound.

"I heard it. I didn't see it," Phelps said. "Robbie [Cano] probably would have had it."

Phelps added a positive scouting report on Mustelier, who hit a combined .314 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs in 114 games for Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year.

"He's a good hitter," Phelps said. "He can swing it."

Girardi mulling over Grandy, Gardner swap

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees still have not talked to Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson about switching positions in the outfield this season, but a move is still on the table for manager Joe Girardi.

"I wouldn't read too much into what we've done yet, because we haven't played any games," Girardi said. "We still have time to discuss what we want to do, and I want to make sure our outfielders are versatile."

Girardi said that the Yankees are fortunate to have the flexible Ichiro Suzuki, who can play left, center and right. That could free them to use the exhibition schedule to try Granderson in left field and have Gardner patrol center field.

"It's something that, if we do start toying with it, we would do it very quickly," Girardi said.

Girardi said that the Yankees have still not reached a final decision on moving Granderson to left field. Granderson has said that he would be on board with a position switch if the club decides that is the course it wants to take.

"I think Curtis has done a good job for us," Girardi said. "The question for us to sit here and stew over is, 'If you flip-flop them, does it make you better defensively?' That's what we have to figure out."

Bombers bits

• Right-hander Mark Montgomery resumed playing catch on Tuesday. The touted prospect had been sidelined by back spasms.

• Eduardo Nunez figures to see a substantial amount of playing time at shortstop while Derek Jeter gets into baseball shape coming off left ankle surgery, but Girardi said that Nunez is still fighting for a roster spot.

"He has to earn it. That's the bottom line," Girardi said. "He has to earn it. We've got to toy with some different options, but we liked what he did at the end of last year. We know he provides a lot of excitement."

• Ichiro wowed the crowd at George M. Steinbrenner Field with a flashy behind-the-back catch during batting practice on Tuesday.

"I've seen him do it before," said Girardi, who'd prefer not to see it executed in a game. "Don't try that at home."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Girardi mulling over Grandy, Gardner swap

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees still have not talked to Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson about switching positions in the outfield this season, but a move is still on the table for manager Joe Girardi.

"I wouldn't read too much into what we've done yet, because we haven't played any games," Girardi said. "We still have time to discuss what we want to do, and I want to make sure our outfielders are versatile."

Girardi said that the Yankees are fortunate to have the flexible Ichiro Suzuki, who can play left, center and right. That could free them to use the exhibition schedule to try Granderson in left field and have Gardner patrol center field.

"It's something that, if we do start toying with it, we would do it very quickly," Girardi said.

Girardi said that the Yankees have still not reached a final decision on moving Granderson to left field. Granderson has said that he would be on board with a position switch if the club decides that is the course it wants to take.

"I think Curtis has done a good job for us," Girardi said. "The question for us to sit here and stew over is, 'If you flip-flop them, does it make you better defensively?' That's what we have to figure out."

Hughes sidelined with upper back discomfort

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Phil Hughes will be sidelined at Yankees camp after experiencing upper back discomfort during a defensive drill.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Hughes complained of stiffness behind his right shoulder after covering first base while the club's pitchers were taking fielding practice on Monday.

Hughes was sent to be examined by a doctor on Tuesday, and Girardi said that he expects Hughes to miss "a few days."

"There's always a little bit of concern," Girardi said. "It's [his] upper back, so we'll see how he is in a couple of days. The good thing is, he was ahead of where he'd probably normally be at this time, so it helps."

Hughes, 26, was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts last season. This promises to be an important year for the hurler, who can be eligible for free agency after the 2013 campaign.

Phelps to start first Grapefruit League game

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have decided on their starters for the first two games of the Grapefruit League schedule, sending right-handers David Phelps and Adam Warren to the mound.

Phelps will be on the hill for the Yanks' first game on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., while Warren will pitch New York's home opener on Sunday against the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

As preparation, both pitchers threw two-inning simulated games on Tuesday morning, shedding the protective L-screen as they pitched to Minor League hitters Cito Culver, Addison Maruszak, Corban Joseph and Ronnier Mustelier.

Phelps narrowly escaped a scary moment when Mustelier laced a hot liner back up the middle, forcing Phelps to twist out of the way as the ball slammed into a net placed behind the mound.

"I heard it. I didn't see it," Phelps said. "Robbie [Cano] probably would have had it."

Phelps added a positive scouting report on Mustelier, who hit a combined .314 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs in 114 games for Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year.

"He's a good hitter," Phelps said. "He can swing it."

Bombers bits

• Right-hander Mark Montgomery resumed playing catch on Tuesday. The touted prospect had been sidelined by back spasms.

• Eduardo Nunez figures to see a substantial amount of playing time at shortstop while Derek Jeter gets into baseball shape coming off left ankle surgery, but Girardi said that Nunez is still fighting for a roster spot.

"He has to earn it. That's the bottom line," Girardi said. "He has to earn it. We've got to toy with some different options, but we liked what he did at the end of last year. We know he provides a lot of excitement."

• Ichiro wowed the crowd at George M. Steinbrenner Field with a flashy behind-the-back catch during batting practice on Tuesday.

"I've seen him do it before," said Girardi, who'd prefer not to see it executed in a game. "Don't try that at home."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Phelps to start first Grapefruit League game

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have decided on their starters for the first two games of the Grapefruit League schedule, sending right-handers David Phelps and Adam Warren to the mound.

Phelps will be on the hill for the Yanks' first game on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., while Warren will pitch New York's home opener on Sunday against the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

As preparation, both pitchers threw two-inning simulated games on Tuesday morning, shedding the protective L-screen as they pitched to Minor League hitters Cito Culver, Addison Maruszak, Corban Joseph and Ronnier Mustelier.

Phelps narrowly escaped a scary moment when Mustelier laced a hot liner back up the middle, forcing Phelps to twist out of the way as the ball slammed into a net placed behind the mound.

"I heard it. I didn't see it," Phelps said. "Robbie [Cano] probably would have had it."

Phelps added a positive scouting report on Mustelier, who hit a combined .314 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs in 114 games for Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year.

"He's a good hitter," Phelps said. "He can swing it."

Hughes sidelined with upper back discomfort

TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Phil Hughes will be sidelined at Yankees camp after experiencing upper back discomfort during a defensive drill.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Hughes complained of stiffness behind his right shoulder after covering first base while the club's pitchers were taking fielding practice on Monday.

Hughes was sent to be examined by a doctor on Tuesday, and Girardi said that he expects Hughes to miss "a few days."

"There's always a little bit of concern," Girardi said. "It's [his] upper back, so we'll see how he is in a couple of days. The good thing is, he was ahead of where he'd probably normally be at this time, so it helps."

Hughes, 26, was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts last season. This promises to be an important year for the hurler, who can be eligible for free agency after the 2013 campaign.

Girardi mulling over Grandy, Gardner swap

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees still have not talked to Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson about switching positions in the outfield this season, but a move is still on the table for manager Joe Girardi.

"I wouldn't read too much into what we've done yet, because we haven't played any games," Girardi said. "We still have time to discuss what we want to do, and I want to make sure our outfielders are versatile."

Girardi said that the Yankees are fortunate to have the flexible Ichiro Suzuki, who can play left, center and right. That could free them to use the exhibition schedule to try Granderson in left field and have Gardner patrol center field.

"It's something that, if we do start toying with it, we would do it very quickly," Girardi said.

Girardi said that the Yankees have still not reached a final decision on moving Granderson to left field. Granderson has said that he would be on board with a position switch if the club decides that is the course it wants to take.

"I think Curtis has done a good job for us," Girardi said. "The question for us to sit here and stew over is, 'If you flip-flop them, does it make you better defensively?' That's what we have to figure out."

Bombers bits

• Right-hander Mark Montgomery resumed playing catch on Tuesday. The touted prospect had been sidelined by back spasms.

• Eduardo Nunez figures to see a substantial amount of playing time at shortstop while Derek Jeter gets into baseball shape coming off left ankle surgery, but Girardi said that Nunez is still fighting for a roster spot.

"He has to earn it. That's the bottom line," Girardi said. "He has to earn it. We've got to toy with some different options, but we liked what he did at the end of last year. We know he provides a lot of excitement."

• Ichiro wowed the crowd at George M. Steinbrenner Field with a flashy behind-the-back catch during batting practice on Tuesday.

"I've seen him do it before," said Girardi, who'd prefer not to see it executed in a game. "Don't try that at home."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeter gets back into the swing of things

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 02/18/2013 4:22 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- The last time Derek Jeter was spraying batting practice liners around a field, it was before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, a contest that the Yankees shortstop would not be able to leave under his own power.

Jeter was back in the swing on Monday as the Yankees held their first full-squad workout of the spring. The captain showed off his cuts and went through defensive drills at shortstop, showing no grimaces or limping on his surgically repaired left ankle.

"I felt fine. I felt good," Jeter said. "[It was the] first time I was doing everything on the field in terms of hitting on the field and ground balls on the dirt. Everything went good."

Jeter had been taking grounders on grass only and hitting in the batting cages recently at the Yankees' Minor League complex in Tampa.

He did not run the bases on Monday and said that he has been told to take his progress slowly; Yankees head athletic trainer Steve Donohue has excused him from running drills and stretching on the field with the team for now.

"I thought he looked OK," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "From everything I've heard and everything I've seen, I thought he took his ground balls, he moved, he turned some double plays, and it's kind of what I expected to see right now.

"There's a plan that we'll increase a little bit each day and get stronger each day, and we'll get him in a game when we can."

Jeter said that he is "a couple of weeks behind" where he usually would be at this point of the spring, but is convinced his ankle will not be a problem. He did say that "everything else feels a little rough" as he knocks the winter rust off.

"Everything [is sore]. Where do you want to start?" Jeter said. "Neck. My shoulder. My back. My calf. My foot. I'm just talking about getting in shape in general. You talk to guys who worked out all offseason, the first week of Spring Training, they're sore -- so don't make a big deal out of this."

Cano ready to provide Dominican big boost

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Dominican Republic's chances in the World Baseball Classic will lean heavily on Robinson Cano's potent bat, and the Yankees second baseman said he can't wait to play in the tournament.

"It's always good when you can go represent your team, when you're one of the main guys that can play for the team," Cano said.

Cano said that the Dominican squad will miss the contributions from sluggers like Albert Pujols and Jose Bautista, but he is hoping to contribute a few big hits to the attack for manager Tony Pena.

"You don't have Pujols, you don't have Bautista," Cano said. "Those type of guys you don't have on your team, but it's more about your country. For me, I love the Dominican, grew up in the Dominican. Why not go now and have a chance to represent my country? I have a chance to represent my country and do my best."

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is playing for Team USA, is the Bombers' only other Classic participant this spring.

Bombers bits

• Derek Jeter playfully tried to convince reporters that if all went well at camp on Tuesday, he would be cleared to play in the World Baseball Classic. That won't happen, but Jeter will be rooting for manager Joe Torre and Team USA when the Classic begins.

"I enjoyed my experience in the WBC. I had fun doing it," said Jeter, who mentioned coaches Willie Randolph and Larry Bowa, plus trainer Gene Monahan, among those on Team USA he'd like to see. "There's a lot of guys, so I would have loved to have done it, but unfortunately I can't."

• Yankees pitching prospect Mark Montgomery has been sidelined due to back spasms. Montgomery was scheduled to pitch a live batting practice session on Sunday, but had to be scratched, and manager Joe Girardi said he expects Montgomery to be back in action in a few days.

• Travis Hafner hit the Yankees' first batting practice home run of the spring, lining a solid shot into the right-field seats at George M. Steinbrenner Field and hearing cheers from the fans in attendance. Hafner was in the first group of Yankees hitters, along with Jeter, Cano and Eduardo Nunez.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

14.25 | 0 komentar | Read More