Posted by: Patrick
Bryan Hoch reports that the Yankees will not give Kei Igawa his planned two starts, opting to cut him off at one and send him to the bullpen.
Ian Kennedy will be recalled on Thursday and will pitch that day against the Devil Rays.
Ian Kennedy will be recalled on Thursday and will pitch that day against the Devil Rays.
Girardi said Igawa's current situation reminded him some of former Yankees reliever Ramiro Mendoza, but said that Igawa's future with New York would not necessarily be in relief.
"I see him as a starter more than anything," Girardi said. "That's just my opinion. I think the investment was for him to be a starter, and I think for the organization ... we'll probably try to continue to work on that at some point."
"I see him as a starter more than anything," Girardi said. "That's just my opinion. I think the investment was for him to be a starter, and I think for the organization ... we'll probably try to continue to work on that at some point."
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees had hoped that A-Rod would return in the lineup on the day he was eligible to come off the disabled list, which is Thursday. Unfortunately, his injury has not healed as quickly as they would have liked. The earliest he'll be returning is May 20.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees struggled offensively due to a good pitching performance by Matt Garza, and Andy Pettitte had a really rough 4th inning as the Rays took the opener of this four-game set by a score of 7-1. A loss by the Red Sox keeps the Yankees back by just 4 games in the A.L. East, but another loss tonight in Tampa Bay could have the Yankees chasing the Rays for first, as they moved to within only a half game of Boston with last night's victory.
Tough to say if the Yankees' offense was just bad or if Matt Garza was just really that good last night. I would say it had more to do with the latter as even guys with hot hands, such as Matsui (0-3, 3 K), couldn't get anything going. Garza pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing only 5 hits. The Yankees' lone run came via an RBI ground out by Johnny Damon against Gary Glover in the 8th.
Andy Pettitte was good through the first three innings, but imploded in the 4th as the Rays batted around and scored 4 runs, knocking him out of the game in the process. The bullpen did a nice job, as Chris Britton, Jose Veras, and Edwar Ramirez allowed a combined two runs in five innings, although Veras did allow four hits in an inning and 2/3.
The sad thing about last night's game is that the whole game from the 5th inning on was just garbage time. The game was over. There's just something about this team where if they get down by four or five runs they just concede the game. It's like they have to be ahead by the 6th inning in order for us to feel like they even have a chance of winning a game. It's very frustrating.
And on a totally unrelated side note, why can't the Yankees get this kind of pitching? Fausto Carmona and Cliff Lee BOTH threw 9 shutout innings (Lee's was actually in a losing effort) in back-to-back games of a doubleheader. Yeesh.
Well, anyway, the Yankees and Chien-Ming Wang will try to bounce back tonight as Wang tries to recover from his first loss and the Yankees for the six billionth time try to get back to the .500 mark. Edwin Jackson will be on the mound for the Rays. Game starts at 7:10 E.T.
Tough to say if the Yankees' offense was just bad or if Matt Garza was just really that good last night. I would say it had more to do with the latter as even guys with hot hands, such as Matsui (0-3, 3 K), couldn't get anything going. Garza pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing only 5 hits. The Yankees' lone run came via an RBI ground out by Johnny Damon against Gary Glover in the 8th.
Andy Pettitte was good through the first three innings, but imploded in the 4th as the Rays batted around and scored 4 runs, knocking him out of the game in the process. The bullpen did a nice job, as Chris Britton, Jose Veras, and Edwar Ramirez allowed a combined two runs in five innings, although Veras did allow four hits in an inning and 2/3.
The sad thing about last night's game is that the whole game from the 5th inning on was just garbage time. The game was over. There's just something about this team where if they get down by four or five runs they just concede the game. It's like they have to be ahead by the 6th inning in order for us to feel like they even have a chance of winning a game. It's very frustrating.
And on a totally unrelated side note, why can't the Yankees get this kind of pitching? Fausto Carmona and Cliff Lee BOTH threw 9 shutout innings (Lee's was actually in a losing effort) in back-to-back games of a doubleheader. Yeesh.
Well, anyway, the Yankees and Chien-Ming Wang will try to bounce back tonight as Wang tries to recover from his first loss and the Yankees for the six billionth time try to get back to the .500 mark. Edwin Jackson will be on the mound for the Rays. Game starts at 7:10 E.T.
05/11: A Great Mother's Day Present
Posted by: James
Today's game was washed out...so with the Yankee rotation machinations, it looks like (schedule certainly subject to change) Kei Igawa's next start won't actually happen.
I assume that all the starters (Pettitte, Wang & Moose) essentially will get pushed back a day, Kei Igawa’s start on Wednesday will be skipped and Darrell Rasner would be handed the ball to pitch on regular rest...but who knows what could happen between now and then.
That being said, I, for one, am happy knowing that Igawa's next start will be delayed, even if only for a little while.
Update: Very astute comment from Ben K. noting that the Scranton/W-B game was also postponed and that IPK's scheduled start will be pushed back a day (consequently, he wouldn’t be ready to pitch on Friday).
I assume that all the starters (Pettitte, Wang & Moose) essentially will get pushed back a day, Kei Igawa’s start on Wednesday will be skipped and Darrell Rasner would be handed the ball to pitch on regular rest...but who knows what could happen between now and then.
That being said, I, for one, am happy knowing that Igawa's next start will be delayed, even if only for a little while.
Update: Very astute comment from Ben K. noting that the Scranton/W-B game was also postponed and that IPK's scheduled start will be pushed back a day (consequently, he wouldn’t be ready to pitch on Friday).
05/11: Steve Serby Q&A with Jeter
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Serby has a good Q&A with Derek Jeter, covering a myriad of topics - on and off the field.
Posted by: James
Darrell Rasner coming through again. 6 solid innings with 2 runs given up. Can you ask for more than that? Well, then you're just being greedy.
The Yankees got on the board first with a solo shot from Derek Jeter (his first of the year as MLB.com and Fox kept reminding us throughout the day) and added a second run in the inning with a bases-loaded walk from Melky Cabrera before a Cano double play ended the inning.
Rasner gave one back in the bottom of the first on a solo HR but settled in after that, giving up only 3 more hits and a walk the rest of the way.
The Yankees scored again in the fourth when with 2 outs, Cano worked a walk and came around to score on a LONG double to center off the bat off Wilson Betimit. Unfortunately, when legging out the double, Betimit, who JUST came back from an injury and was swinging a hot bat, pulled up lame and had to be taken out of the game. Later, it was revealed that Wilson strained his hammy and will be placed on the DL and replaced on the roster by Alberto Gonzalez. Very unfortunate as Wilson was getting into a groove and really provided some much needed offense in place of Morgan Ensberg.
The Yanks knocked Bonderman (who seems like he's been in the league forever but is still only 25...and still very inconsistent) out of the game in the fifth. He gave up a single to Jeter who was plated on a double by Bobby Abreu and that was all for Bonderman. Bobby Seay came in and was greeted with a Jason Giambi double that scored Abreu to make the game 5-1.
The Tigers would threaten in the 7th when Magglio Ordonez singled to start off the inning and chased Rasner from the game. On a side note, it seems as if the Yankee staff know something that we don't. Take a look at Rasner's MLB game long. People forget that he gave up some very good starts (just like this year) LAST year. In those starts, his pitch limit seems to be ~80 pitch area and that trend has definitely continued this year as well. Kyle Farnsworth then came into the game and looked like he was about to blow it when he gave up a single to Miguel Cabrera and a RBI double to Gary Sheffield. At that point, the score was 5-2 with men on second and third with no one out...and miraculously enough, Farnsworth got out of it without any further damage. After that, it was Joba and Mo time and as usual they came through and the game was done...so back to .500 it is.
The Yankees got on the board first with a solo shot from Derek Jeter (his first of the year as MLB.com and Fox kept reminding us throughout the day) and added a second run in the inning with a bases-loaded walk from Melky Cabrera before a Cano double play ended the inning.
Rasner gave one back in the bottom of the first on a solo HR but settled in after that, giving up only 3 more hits and a walk the rest of the way.
The Yankees scored again in the fourth when with 2 outs, Cano worked a walk and came around to score on a LONG double to center off the bat off Wilson Betimit. Unfortunately, when legging out the double, Betimit, who JUST came back from an injury and was swinging a hot bat, pulled up lame and had to be taken out of the game. Later, it was revealed that Wilson strained his hammy and will be placed on the DL and replaced on the roster by Alberto Gonzalez. Very unfortunate as Wilson was getting into a groove and really provided some much needed offense in place of Morgan Ensberg.
The Yanks knocked Bonderman (who seems like he's been in the league forever but is still only 25...and still very inconsistent) out of the game in the fifth. He gave up a single to Jeter who was plated on a double by Bobby Abreu and that was all for Bonderman. Bobby Seay came in and was greeted with a Jason Giambi double that scored Abreu to make the game 5-1.
The Tigers would threaten in the 7th when Magglio Ordonez singled to start off the inning and chased Rasner from the game. On a side note, it seems as if the Yankee staff know something that we don't. Take a look at Rasner's MLB game long. People forget that he gave up some very good starts (just like this year) LAST year. In those starts, his pitch limit seems to be ~80 pitch area and that trend has definitely continued this year as well. Kyle Farnsworth then came into the game and looked like he was about to blow it when he gave up a single to Miguel Cabrera and a RBI double to Gary Sheffield. At that point, the score was 5-2 with men on second and third with no one out...and miraculously enough, Farnsworth got out of it without any further damage. After that, it was Joba and Mo time and as usual they came through and the game was done...so back to .500 it is.
Posted by: James
These announcers have been something else today...
They've gotten the number of outs in the inning wrong, they've called A-Rod "Pudge", mispronounced Derek Jeter's last name...but this takes the cake. They started talking about Joba and to illustrate, they cut to a shot of the Yankee bullpen and focus in on...Chris Britton. You might think I am being harsh...but a couple seconds later, they came back to the same shot and said, "and there you see Joba Chamberlain..." Awesome.
Come on guys, I know you're national announcers and all but this kids been on magazines, newspapers, ESPN and commercials.
They've gotten the number of outs in the inning wrong, they've called A-Rod "Pudge", mispronounced Derek Jeter's last name...but this takes the cake. They started talking about Joba and to illustrate, they cut to a shot of the Yankee bullpen and focus in on...Chris Britton. You might think I am being harsh...but a couple seconds later, they came back to the same shot and said, "and there you see Joba Chamberlain..." Awesome.
Come on guys, I know you're national announcers and all but this kids been on magazines, newspapers, ESPN and commercials.
Posted by: Patrick
Unfortunately, Jonathan Albaladejo's elbow injury, during yesterday's game, has forced the Yankees to place the reliever on the 15-day disabled list. Albaladejo described the feeling as a "pain similar to a needle in the bone part of his right elbow." He'll have an MRI on Monday.
In his place, Chris Britton has been called up. For those keep tracking at home, here is how Britton's season has gone (from the Yankees transactions page and Peter Abraham):
March 23: Optioned to Triple-A.
April 25: Recalled from Triple-A.
April 29: Optioned to Triple-A.
April 30: Recalled from Triple-A.
May 9: Optioned to Triple-A.
May 10: Recalled from Triple-A.
He has managed to pitch well, though. In the minors, he's 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings over 8 games. In the majors, he's pitched in just 1 game, where he pitched 2.2 innings, didn't receive a decision and allowed no runs. Between New York and Scranton, he's 2-1 in 13.2 innings over 9 games with a 1.98 ERA.
In related news, Sean Henn has been claimed by the Padres.
In his place, Chris Britton has been called up. For those keep tracking at home, here is how Britton's season has gone (from the Yankees transactions page and Peter Abraham):
March 23: Optioned to Triple-A.
April 25: Recalled from Triple-A.
April 29: Optioned to Triple-A.
April 30: Recalled from Triple-A.
May 9: Optioned to Triple-A.
May 10: Recalled from Triple-A.
He has managed to pitch well, though. In the minors, he's 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings over 8 games. In the majors, he's pitched in just 1 game, where he pitched 2.2 innings, didn't receive a decision and allowed no runs. Between New York and Scranton, he's 2-1 in 13.2 innings over 9 games with a 1.98 ERA.
In related news, Sean Henn has been claimed by the Padres.
Posted by: Patrick
Kei Igawa's first Major League start of 2008 was, in a word, ugh-tastic. The lefty lasted only 3 innings, allowing 11 hits and 6 earned runs. He didn't walk anyone, but he didn't strike out anyone, either. He left the game in the 4th, down 6-1, with runners on first and second with no outs.
It means absolutely nothing, but it's a shame the game couldn't just start at this point. Jon Albaladejo came in and immediately threw his body on top of the grenade. Somehow, his stomach defused the threat, thanks to a double play and a strike out. Six runs is all that the Tigers would end up with in this game as the bullpen was lights out.
Albaladejo allowed 2 hits and 1 walk over 2 and 1/3 innings pitched, allowing no runs. However, his stint ended badly when hye left the game due to an elbow injury. He was in obvious pain. Argh. Hopefully, he's alright. LaTroy Hawkins threw 1 and 2/3 innings of hitless baseball and Edwar threw an inning of that variety, as well. Bullpen total: 5 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts and 0 earned runs.
Thanks to the ninth inning, the Yankees offense had an OK game overall. But, you would hope for more than five runs over nine innings when facing the trio of Kenny Rogers (6.27 ERA coming in), Zach Miner (9.33) and Todd Jones (2.77). And Todd Jones was the one that they scored a majority of their runs off of.
They scored one in the second thanks to a Jason Giambi solo shot. In the seventh, Chad Moeller singled in Robinson Cano to make it 6-2, Yankees.
The Yankees put together a nice rally in the ninth, but it came up just short. To start the inning, Wilson Betemit doubled to left and then took third on a wild pitch. Robinson Cano grounded out to shortstop, scoring Betemit. Johnny Damon provided a pinch hit single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch (Todd Jones was apparently having some trouble). Melky Cabrera grounded out for the second out of the inning, moving Damon to third.
With two outs, the Captain singled to left, scoring Damon. He took second on fielder's indifference before Bobby Abreu doubled him home to cut the deficit to one. The Tigers elected to walk the 0 for 4 (but red hot coming in) Hideki Matsui to put runners at first and second for Shelley Duncan. Shelley could not keep the rally going, flying out to center to end the game. Yankees lose, 6-5, and drop 1 game below .500.
There were some encouraging signs in this one from Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit and Robinson Cano. Giambi and Betemit, of course, have been mired in big time slumps. Giambi was 2 for 4 with 1 solo home run. In his last three games, he's 4 for 10 with 3 runs, 1 double, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs and 1 walk. Cano was also 2 for 4, to go along with a double, 1 run and an RBI. Over his last five games, he's 7 for 19 with 4 runs, 1 double, 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Betemit who, to be fair, hasn't seen much action this year due to injury, was 2 for 4, as well. One of those hits was a double and he scored a run. In his three games since leaving the DL, he is 4 for 11 with 2 runs, 1 double, 1 home run and 1 RBI. Hopefully, this trio has turned the corner - especially Giambi and Cano.
Tomorrow, Darrell Rasner (1-0, 3.00) will make his second start of the season, against Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 4.17).
It means absolutely nothing, but it's a shame the game couldn't just start at this point. Jon Albaladejo came in and immediately threw his body on top of the grenade. Somehow, his stomach defused the threat, thanks to a double play and a strike out. Six runs is all that the Tigers would end up with in this game as the bullpen was lights out.
Albaladejo allowed 2 hits and 1 walk over 2 and 1/3 innings pitched, allowing no runs. However, his stint ended badly when hye left the game due to an elbow injury. He was in obvious pain. Argh. Hopefully, he's alright. LaTroy Hawkins threw 1 and 2/3 innings of hitless baseball and Edwar threw an inning of that variety, as well. Bullpen total: 5 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts and 0 earned runs.
Thanks to the ninth inning, the Yankees offense had an OK game overall. But, you would hope for more than five runs over nine innings when facing the trio of Kenny Rogers (6.27 ERA coming in), Zach Miner (9.33) and Todd Jones (2.77). And Todd Jones was the one that they scored a majority of their runs off of.
They scored one in the second thanks to a Jason Giambi solo shot. In the seventh, Chad Moeller singled in Robinson Cano to make it 6-2, Yankees.
The Yankees put together a nice rally in the ninth, but it came up just short. To start the inning, Wilson Betemit doubled to left and then took third on a wild pitch. Robinson Cano grounded out to shortstop, scoring Betemit. Johnny Damon provided a pinch hit single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch (Todd Jones was apparently having some trouble). Melky Cabrera grounded out for the second out of the inning, moving Damon to third.
With two outs, the Captain singled to left, scoring Damon. He took second on fielder's indifference before Bobby Abreu doubled him home to cut the deficit to one. The Tigers elected to walk the 0 for 4 (but red hot coming in) Hideki Matsui to put runners at first and second for Shelley Duncan. Shelley could not keep the rally going, flying out to center to end the game. Yankees lose, 6-5, and drop 1 game below .500.
There were some encouraging signs in this one from Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit and Robinson Cano. Giambi and Betemit, of course, have been mired in big time slumps. Giambi was 2 for 4 with 1 solo home run. In his last three games, he's 4 for 10 with 3 runs, 1 double, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs and 1 walk. Cano was also 2 for 4, to go along with a double, 1 run and an RBI. Over his last five games, he's 7 for 19 with 4 runs, 1 double, 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Betemit who, to be fair, hasn't seen much action this year due to injury, was 2 for 4, as well. One of those hits was a double and he scored a run. In his three games since leaving the DL, he is 4 for 11 with 2 runs, 1 double, 1 home run and 1 RBI. Hopefully, this trio has turned the corner - especially Giambi and Cano.
Tomorrow, Darrell Rasner (1-0, 3.00) will make his second start of the season, against Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 4.17).
05/09: Ugh-tastic
Posted by: James
Or is it Ig-tastic?
Here's the line. 3 innings (and he pitched to 4 guys in the 4th, allowing 2 to score and leaving 2 men on), 11 hits, 6 ERs. On the positive side, he did throw 41 of 64 pitches for strikes...so that's a nice foundation to build off of, I guess? Just painful, painful to watch...ugh ^ infinity.
Still, anyone surprised at this? Anyone at all? No? Me neither.
Here's the line. 3 innings (and he pitched to 4 guys in the 4th, allowing 2 to score and leaving 2 men on), 11 hits, 6 ERs. On the positive side, he did throw 41 of 64 pitches for strikes...so that's a nice foundation to build off of, I guess? Just painful, painful to watch...ugh ^ infinity.
Still, anyone surprised at this? Anyone at all? No? Me neither.
