Which came first? The injury or the bad pitching? In any case, Phil Hughes has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right oblique.

In other news, A-Rod looks to miss around 15 games...give or take. It's the first time he's been on the DL since 2000 when he was with the Mariners.

Chad Moeller cleared waivers and is back with the club. Chris Stewart was optioned back to Triple-A. To make room on the 40 man, the Yankees have elected to DFA Sean Henn. With a spot open thanks to A-Rod being placed on the DL, Chris Britton is back in the pen after having been optioned yesterday.

From Kat O'Brien:

On his day off, Peter Abraham reports that A-Rod will hit the DL, as things are worse than the Yankees and A-Rod thought.

Phil Hughes struggles continued this evening as he only lasted 3 and 2/3 innings, allowing 6 earned runs. He threw 82 pitches before being taken out. Hughes ERA now rests at 9.00 and his record at 0-4. Phil and the Yankees offense wasted a marvelous bullpen effort where a combination of Ross Ohlendorf (3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K), Edwar Ramirez (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and LaTroy Hawkins (1 IP) combined to throw 5 and 1/3 scoreless innings with 3 hits, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.

The Yankees offense simply lacked timely hitting. They had 8 hits and 8 walks (EIGHT!), along with a hit batsmen and they only managed to have 4 men cross the plate. Robbie Cano led the offense with a 1 for 5, 1 HR and 2 RBI day - but he also led the team in runners left on base with 5. Hideki Matsui was 2 for 4 with a run and a walk, Derek Jeter was 1 for 4 with an RBI and Jason Giambi was 1 for 4 with an RBI and a walk. We were missing A-Rod and Posada tonight, big time - Morgan Ensberg and Chris Stewart combined to go 0 for 7 with 1 walk.

Kenny Rogers kept the Yankees off balance. He threw 6 innings, allowing 6 hits and walking 4 guys... yet, the Yanks only tagged him for 2 runs. Frustrating.

Tomorrow, Andy Pettitte (3-2, 3.23 ERA) will try to rebound against Jeremy Bonderman (1-2, 4.28 ERA) at 7:05 PM ET.

The AP reports that Joba's Dad is out of the hospital. Good to hear!

Meanwhile, Peter Abrahamr reports that Edwar Ramirez is back in the majors. Chris Britton was optioned to make room.

Finally, Pete Caldera relays some funny details related to Morgan Ensberg's interception of a fan that got close to Derek Jeter on the field. He writes:

According to ESPN, an exam with Dr. James Andrews revealed that Posada's shoulder injury is likely not season-ending. It mentions (again) that if it is just a strained shoulder, he will not need surgery.

Either way, I'd be very cautious about this. This seems like the same thing that was being said a couple weeks ago when they started DH'ing him. There's obviously something wrong with his shoulder if it's been this much of a problem already. Better safe than sorry.

Fans saw some great pitching on Sunday when Chien-Ming Wang outdueled C.C. Sabathia in a 1-0 Yankee victory, but after four scoreless innings for both teams Monday night, it was starting to get downright boring. The Yankees did win though, by a score of 5-2, thanks mostly to a four-run 6th in which the Yankees caught a few breaks. With the win, the Yankees moved back above the .500 mark and finished their 10-game road trip with a record of 5-5.

Neither team could get anything going early, partly due to some good pitching by Mike Mussina and Aaron Laffey, and also partly because of a lack of timely hitting. The Yankees failed to score in the 1st after having runners on first and third with one out. The Indians couldn't get anything against Mike Mussina until the 5th, when he struggled a bit and allowed two runs. Overall, though, it was another decent start for Mussina, who allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings of work.

The Yankees didn't even record a hit until Melky Cabrera and Derek Jeter led off the 6th with back-to-back infield singles. Abreu singled to load the bases, and Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to walk in a run. Rodriguez promptly left the game after apparently reinjuring his quad. Jason Giambi then tied the game with an RBI groundout, Matsui put the Yanks ahead with an RBI groundout of his own, and an infield single by Morgan Ensberg gave the Yankees an insurance run. So, basically the Yankees scored four runs on a bunch of little dribblers that all could have easily been outs aside from the base hit by Abreu.

The Yankees bullpen was a rock in this one, as Albaladejo, Farnsworth, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera threw a combined four scoreless innings. Rivera recorded his 8th save of the season and has still not allowed a run or a walk in 11 innings of work this season.

Well, when you look at the schedule this month and you see 9 home games played to this point as opposed to 18 road games, and 18 of the last 20 games away from Yankee Stadium, 14-13 really doesn't look all that bad, especially when that puts them only a game out of first place. If the Yankees string together a good homestand here, they could be really good shape.

That homestand starts tonight in the Bronx against the Tigers, who have played better baseball of late after a 2-9 start. Phil Hughes will be going up against 74-year old Kenny Rogers in the opener. Game starts at 7:05 E.T.

A-Rod has reinjured his quad and will miss some time, according to Bryan Hoch. Kat O'Brien reports that he expects to miss a couple of games at the minimum.

Peter Abraham reports that catcher Chris Stewart will be promoted to backup Jose Molina, in light of the injury to Jorge Posada.

This was an easy game to recap. All you gotta know was that Chien-Ming Wang had his good stuff going today. The Yankees stopper outpitched Indians ace C.C. Sabathia en route to his 5th win,, going 5-0 in April. Obi-Wang gave up four hits and walked two and struck out nine(!).

The Yankee offense couldn't muster much offense themselves but it was enough. Melky's solo HR in the 5th (his 5th - tied for the Yankee lead again - at this rate, he will have more HRs than last year by May) was all the Yanks would need. Wang went a strong 7 and Joba came in for the eighth and looked like he was doing just fine with two strikeouts. Mo closed the door in the ninth for the 450th save of his unbelievable career.

It was a great game for the Yankees...if not for the horrible news about Jorge.

From Mike Bauman:


Doesn't sound good. Peter Abraham reports that, with Chad Moeller DFA'ed, Chris Stewart is likely to receive a promotion to back up Molina.

Here's the thing: I don't necessarily mind if the Yankees want to withhold some injury information or anything to do with strategy. There are good reasons for doing that, sometimes, I think. But, when you are creatively answering questions to keep information private, you have to ensure that people are on the same page. Because, when the manager says one thing, the player says another and reporters discover yet another thing, it's embarrassing.

Case in point. Joba Chamberlain did not pitch last night. According to Bryan Hoch, Joe Girardi said that the reason Joba sat out was because of a heavy workload - the Yankees wanted to give him a break. Hoch also says that, before the game, Joba said that he was available and that he had no injury. So far, we're OK. Great players often consider themselves "available", when the team wants to protect them.

But then, we have this: Johnny Damon told Hoch that he knew before the game that Joba was unavailable. And then, apparently, Damon discussed the injury problems that the Yankees have been having this season, not specifically discussing or suggesting Joba. So, how does Damon know Joba is unavailable, but Joba doesn't? I guess they could have been interviewed at different times? Yeah, let's go with that.

To add to the confusion, Peter Abraham reports that Joba has actually been receiving treatment for two days for a mild hamstring strain. Tyler Kepner has a similar report. Abraham says that both Joba and Girardi wouldn't give an answer when asked about it.

Kepner relays a recent story which had Joe Girardi denying that their was any "structural damage" to Brian Bruney's foot even though, Kepner alleges, it was already known that Bruney had torn ligaments in the foot.

When this sort of thing happens, it's a problem for everyone (the organization, manager, players, reporters and fans) and it's embarrassing. Strategically answering questions isn't always a bad thing, but you just can't have conflicting stories that lead to suspicion.

The Yankees lost their third straight game and second straight in Cleveland as the Indians beat the Yankees 4-3 after a walkoff, bases loaded single by Victor Martinez. Both starting pitchers were okay for the most part, but the Yankees' linep struggled with Joe Girardi benching five of his starters.

Ian Kennedy really wasn't all that bad except for the third inning in which he allowed three runs, one coming via walk. He finished with a line of three runs on four hits in five innings, which in itself is not too terrible if you look at the four hits, but he also walked four.

The Yankees couldn't get any offense going until a bases loaded triple by Jorge Posada tied the game at 3 apiece in the 6th. Damon, Jeter and Rodriguez had nine hits between the three of them but couldn't get anything timely as the team went 2-13 with RISP (one of the hits was an infield single by Jeter).

The Yankees brought in Ross Ohlendorf in the 9th, with the game tied 3-3, in a move that Joe Girardi will get some questioning for, as Joba and Rivera both didn't pitch the night before. Ohlendorf allowed three singles in the inning, with the final blow being a bases loaded walkoff hit by Victor Martinez.

Uyy, win 3 in a row, lose 3 in a row, win 3 in a row, lose 3 in a row. Can this team just give us some consistency for once? The Yankees are now in danger of having their third sub-.500 April in four seasons. Time to get things rolling, although I do understand that the schedule this month has been brutally road-heavy.

The Yankees and Indians will resume this series at the newly named Progressive Field today at 1:05 E.T. in a battle of aces, as Chien-Ming Wang will take his 4-0 record to the mound to face reigning Cy Young Award winner, C.C. Sabathia.

Shelley Duncan is back with the MLB Yankees. To make room, lefty Billy Traber was demoted. Traber had pitched 8 innings in 11 games, going 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA.

Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup and Andy Pettitte turned in his worst start in this young season, as the Yankees fell to the Indians, 6-4.

Pettitte allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, on 8 hits in 5 innings pitched, while striking out 3 and walking 3. Going into the fifth, he had held the Indians to 1 unearned run, but after retiring the first 2 hitters, it unraveled. This was thanks to back to back singles, followed by back to back homers. After the dust settled, the Indians held a 5-4 lead. Pettitte got the final out, but that would be all, as he was relieved at 99 pitches.

Paul Byrd was the Indians starter and he lasted 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits with 0 strikeouts, no walks and 3 homers allowed. All of the Yankees runs in this one came on those 3 home runs, 2 off the bat of Giambi and 1 from Matsui. The Yankees walked just once (Robinson Cano, of all batters) in this entire game, while the Indians walked 6 times.

Byrd was yanked after the Matsui homer with 2 outs in the sixth and relieved by Rafael Perez. The final 3 and 1/3 innings were ugly for Yankees fans. 0 hits and 1 walk was all that the offense could muster against the combo of Perez and Rafael Betancourt.

Meanwhile, Billy Traber allowed a run in a long sixth that featured two stolen bases and two walks. Jonathan Albaladejo looked good in the seventh and eighth innings, walking just one batter and failing to allow a hit. In 3 games and 7.2 innings so far this season, Albaladejo is sporting a 2.35 ERA.

Jason Giambi was the other big bright spot in this one. With the two homers, he was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Of course, he also made an error. But, he was hitting .161 coming into this game. Last night, he went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and a double. So, in the last 2 games, he is 4 for 7 with a double, 4 runs and 3 RBIs. Could he be heating up? We can only hope.

A-Rod struggled in his return, going 0 for 4. Jeter was 0 for 4, as well. Damon, Abreu, Matsui and Posada each collected a hit. Cano continues his slump, now at .156 after an 0 for 2 day.

Tomorrow, Ian Kennedy (err... do I have to say this? Ok... 0-2, 9.64 ERA) will face Jeremy (I almost said Josh) Sowers, who will be making his 2008 debut.

He guest blogs over at Phil Hughes' weblog and is amusing enough. He loves The Office so he's all right by me...and he loves to read (a man after my own heart) so he's looking for some good book recommendations. Help the man out!


I love the Internet.

Ol' Reliable Pete A checks in with the following:


Sucks about Bruney - he seemed to have had it together this year though I would be remiss if I didn't point out that he was lights out for the first two months last year too. Then he imploded. Also, I'm kinda glad that Ohlendorf was sent down. He was starting to scare me over the course of his last 3-4 appearances. Let him get back on track in the minors. Chris Britton and Jon Albaladejo will get their chances...though Edwar is probably wondering when his time will come. I expect that Shelley will be coming up soon enough when the Yankees drop Chad Moeller.

Update: It looks like Moeller was DFA'd for Britton so I guess Ohlendorf is still on the roster.

It looks like reliever J. Brent Cox is getting promoted. In addition, it looks like Dave Robertson will also be moving up soon. Robertson will be making the move from Trenton to AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre while Cox, who is coming off of TJ surgery will move from Tampa to Trenton.


Hat tip to EJ over at Pending Pinstripes.

Yeesh. A wholly unsatisfying ending to a frustrating game. No, I'm not talking about the Flyers game (though in Philly, it's all you hear about this morning...).

First off, the game was delayed for 34 minutes. When it finally did start, Phil Hughes pitched and went put up zeroes in the 2 innings he pitched before the rains came again, resulting in 51-minute delay. After the delay, Ross Ohlendorf came on and after a scoreless third inning, he gave up 5 run in the fourth. It was actually pretty brutal to watch. With one out, it went like this; single, walk, single, single, double, fielder's choice to Ensberg who went home to try to get the out (no dice), fly out, double, ground out. 5-3 Chicago.

The Yankees had scored their runs in the 3rd when Giambi, Cabrera and Damon loaded the bases with one out. A sac fly from Jeter brought one home and a Bobby Abreu double plated two more (including his 1000th RBI). In an exact opposite of last year, you have to be asking yourself...where would this team be right now without Bobby Abreu's clutch hitting?

Latroy Hawkins came in for the fifth and gave up a HR to Thome, his 513th career home run (moving him past Ernie Banks and Eddie Matthews for 19th on the all-time list).

The score remained 6-3 until the sixth when Jason Giambi (who looks to be heating up...) doubled and El Leche followed with a 2-run jack. That was Melky's, who is now tied for the Yankee lead in HRs, 4th of the year. The Yanks then tied the game in the next inning when with two out, Bobby Abreu singled and Matsui walked putting runners on first and second for Morgan Ensberg who came through with a RBI single.

The Yankees did have a chance to win the game in the top half of the ninth with men on first and second with one out. However Bobby Jenks came in to face pinch-hitter Jorge Posada and got him to bounce into a double play to end the inning. In the bottom half of the ninth, Joba came on for his second inning of relief work and was hit pretty hard. A.J. had a loud out to center before Carlos doubled off the left-field wall to put a runner on second for Joe Crede, who promptly singled to left-center, winning the game for the sox (and giving Joba his first ML loss).

Kyle Farnsworth slipped on the mound on his final pitch last night, injuring his elbow. Bryan Hoch reports that Farnsworth suggested it may be an elbow straight and that he wasn't concerned that it would require him to miss a lot of action.

Meanwhile, Bruney's foot issue looks to be worse than we hoped. The Yankees believe he may have torn ligaments, which would mean a trip to the DL. Tyler Kepner also notes that Bruney's uncle is in a coma. Our thoughts are with them.

Mike Downey spoke with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen about the captain.


Via Kat O'Brien.

From Tyler Kepner:

The Yankees got their third straight victory Tuesday night, beating the White Sox by a score of 6-4. The pitching was a lot better than you'd think in a game where ten runs were scored, and Mike Mussina gave the Yankees perhaps his best start of the young season.

Mussina rolled through seven innings, allowing only four hits and two runs, both coming on solo home runs. Javier Vazquez gave up six runs on ten hits in 5 and 1/3, although a lot of the hits the Yankees' were getting off him were softly hit balls that found their way through.

Jorge Posada had his best night of the season at the plate, as he went 4-5 with three doubles and two RBI. Damon and Melky also had two hits apiece, and with the exceptions of Cano (again) and Abreu, every Yankee starter recored at least one hit.

Latroy Hawkins struggled in relief of Mussina in the 8th, giving up two runs recording only one out, although the second run was given up on a sac fly allowed by Mariano Rivera. Rivera recorded his 6th save of the season, this time recording five outs. Mo has yet to allow a walk or a run this season in 9 innings pitched.

Tonight the struggling Phil Hughes will take the mound to face Gavin Floyd as the Yankees try to pull off the sweep at U.S. Cellular Field. Game starts at 8:11 E.T.