Britton finds a home

Apparently the Padres signed Chris Britton shortly after the Yankees non-tendered him. I didn't see this anywhere until Tim Dierkes linked to a San Diego Union-Tribune article today.

Tom Krasovic said the Padres expect him to pitch the seventh innings.

It's good to see Britton get a chance. He was always on the Scranton shuttle during his brief stint with the Yankees, only amassing 35 2/3 innings in two seasons.

Scott Proctor non-tendered

Scott Proctor was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers today, thus making him a free agent, according to Tony Jackson.

Proctor had elbow surgery in October to repair a partially-torn flexor tendon and shave down a bone spur in the back of his elbow.

In Yankees non-tender news, Chris Britton and Justin Christian made the list. Britton only pitched 35 2/3 innings as a Yankee and Christian stole seven bases last year.

Now that's more like it

It took the lowly Kansas City Royals and Brian Bannister to get the Yankees back on track, but I'll take any series win at this point in the season.

The Yankees scored 15 runs on 17 hits, four of which left the park. 10 of those runs were charged to Bannister who only recorded three outs.

It wasn't pretty for the Yankees in the top of the first inning. Mike Mussina gave up three runs and four hits and didn't look to remain in the game long enough to even think about earning his 16th victory of the season. Things changed for the better in the bottom half of the frame, as the Yankees scored six runs and were off. They would go on to score five more runs in the next two innings while Mussina retired the final 15 batters he faced after a single in the second inning.

In total, Mussina (16-7) gave up three runs over six innings (a quality start!), striking out five and walking none. Billy Traber and Chris Britton gave up three runs, but that's why they're pitching in blowouts and not close games.

Don't look now, but Derek Jeter is approaching the .300 mark. His 4-for-4 afternoon puts him at .295 on the season. Alex Rodriguez went 3-for-3 with a three-run home run and 5 RBI. Jason Giambi hit a second-inning grand slam, and Xavier Nady and even Cody Ransom hit long balls.

After an off day tomorrow, the Yankees will begin a three-game series in Toronto on Tuesday.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Joba has rotator cuff tendinitis

Joba Chamberlain has been diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis and will rest for at least a week before throwing again. He has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, with Chris Britton taking his spot on the active roster.

Ian Kennedy is expected to take Chamberlain's place on Friday.

As a result of this injury, all three members of the so-called "Big 3" have spent at least some time on the disabled list.

It will be interesting to see how careful the Yankees are with Chamberlain's shoulder. He means a lot to the team this season, but he means even more to the team in the future.

Bruney called up

Brian Bruney, recovering from the same injury Chien-Ming Wang suffered, was called up this afternoon. He is replacing Chris Britton who threw 53 pitches last night.

Bruney has been rehabbing in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and passed all the tests he needed to rejoin the team.

Roster changes

As a result of yesterday's acquisition of Ivan Rodriguez, the Yankees designated Chad Moeller for assignment. They also called up Chris Britton to replace Kyle Farnsworth's roster spot.

The Yankees also traded infielder Alberto Gonzalez to the Nationals for Double-A RHP Jhonny Nunez. What's with people spelling "Johnny" as "Jhonny"? Anyway, strange trade for the Yankees. Gonzalez seemed to be a better infield option than Wilson Betemit is.

By the way, Rodriguez will wear No. 12.

Britton injured

Ed Price is reporting that Chris Britton injured his ribcage during warmups today and will be sent to the disabled list.

Dan Giese will be called back. Since he's replacing an injured player, he does not need to be in the minors for 10 days.

Giese pitched 3 2/3 innings following Joba Chamberlain's abbreviated start on Tuesday.

Wrong on Giese

I'll retract my statement on Dan Giese, at least until his next appearance.

He gave up five hits over 3 2/3 innings, but he get the team in the game. I'm not sold, but it was nice to see him rebound and put in a decent effort.

Meanwhile, Jose Veras is trying his absolute hardest to break this game open. The Yankees insist on using him in close games for some reason.

This is the worst possible outcome for the Yankees. Joba Chamberlain was less than impressive in his start and the bullpen is turning a close game into a mountain to climb. The papers and talk shows will have fun with this one tomorrow.

By the way, where is Chris Britton?

Britton and Joba

Chris Britton has been called up as Ian Kennedy was officially placed on the disabled list, according to Peter Abraham. Despite the the fact that Britton has repeatedly been called up and sent down, he's only appeared in two games and 4 2/3 innings this season.

Meanwhile, Joba Chamberlain is supposed to throw 50-55 pitches today in relief. That may not happen with Andy Pettitte on the mound. If need be, he'll throw more pitches in the bullpen to get up to the requisite number of pitches.

Ramirez up, Britton down

Edwar Ramirez has been called up. The corresponding move sent Chris Britton back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Britton was called up on Friday but didn't appear in a game

Ramirez appeared in one game with the big club earlier this month. He pitched 2 1-3 innings, striking out three and allowing one hit.

Back from Maine

I just got back from Maine, and boy are my legs tired.

The Yankees have lost two games (three-straight overall) and some moves have been made. I was unable to watch the games, so I don't have the right to comment. Here are the moves that have gone down:

Before today's game, Shelley Duncan was called up, as lefty reliever Billy Traber was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Lefties had been hitting .375 against Traber, so he isn't serving much of a purpose if he can't get lefties out. Loyal readers of the blog already know my stance on lefty relievers, so it's not a big deal if the bullpen doesn't have a lefty reliever for the sake of having a lefty reliever.

Before last night's game, it was learned that Brian Bruney has a torn ligament in his foot and will be out for the season. Chad Moeller was also designated for assignment. This resulted in Chris Britton and Jonathan Albaladejo being called up to give the bullpen some extra arms.

Apparently Joba Chamberlain tweaked his hamstring the other day and is receiving treatment. The Yankees are being quiet about the injury, so I'll pass along any information I can get when it becomes available.

After losing three-straight, the Yankees are one game below .500. As evidenced by the record, the team has been very up and down so far. The Yankees have been on two three-game winning streaks and have followed both with a three-game losing streak. Hopefully Chien-Ming Wang can be the stopper tomorrow afternoon. If they can pull out a victory tomorrow, they'll have a chance to split the series Monday night.

Britton sent to minor-league camp

Chris Britton was reassigned to the minor-league camp today, according to Peter Abraham. Dan Giese and Heath Phillips were also sent across the street.

Britton never seemed to get a chance under Joe Torre last season and had decent numbers this spring (1 ER in 5 IP). This season, there are simply not enough spots. If someone struggles, I wouldn't mind giving him another shot.

In that same Abraham post, there is some news on Andy Pettitte. He played catch but still felt stiff and doesn't want to return to the mound until he feels no pain. Pettitte is still scheduled to start on April 2, but anything can change from now until then.

Yankees' New Year's resolutions

First and foremost, Happy New Year to all Scott Proctor's Arm's readers. If no one was reading, I probably wouldn't be writing (which would make some people happy, I'm sure). As I said in the Festivus post, blogging this year has been a lot of fun, and I hope it's just as fun in 2008.

Anyway, don't ask how, but I got a hold of some players' New Year's resolutions.

Robinson Cano: I will listen to our General Manager when he tells me to only play in six winter league games (he was later seen writing this on a blackboard 150 times in a Dominican Republic classroom).

Chien-Ming Wang: I will finally step up and win a playoff game.

Roger Clemens: I will not make another comeback.

Derek Jeter: I will learn how to field ground balls to my left. I will learn to regain my clutchness that has seemed to vanish.

Mike Mussina: I will have an E.R.A. under 5.00 this year. I will not complain about pitching on abnormal rest (I really believe that...).

Chris Britton: I will lose 25 pounds.

Edwar Ramirez: I will learn another pitch.

Chase Wright: I will learn how to induce ground balls.

Kyle Farnsworth: I will become a reliable eighth-inning reliever.

New York Yankees: We will win the 2008 World Series.

Happy New Year everybody! See you in 2008!

ALDS Roster and Game 1 lineup

As reported by Peter Abraham, the Yankees released the ALDS roster today.

Ross Ohlendorf and Jose Veras are on the roster. Edwar Ramirez, Ron Villone and Chris Britton are not on the roster.

Bronson Sardinha made the roster to be used primarily as a pinch runner.

This really isn't shocking. Ohlendorf and Veras performed well towards the end of the season and the three who didn't make the roster didn't pitch well. The only thing that's somewhat surprising is that they didn't go with a lefty out of the bullpen. I find the whole idea of having a lefty specialist to be overrated, but Joe Torre usually doesn't.

Now, the lineup:

Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Doug Mientkiewicz 1B

Britton up

Chris Britton has been called up, according to Tyler Kepner of the Times. There's no word yet on who was sent down, but the roster expands on Sept. 1.

River Ave. Blues had the story up first.

Villone put on the disabled list

This explains why Brian Bruney was called up.

From Ed Price:

Brian Bruney is back from Triple-A and Ron Villone is on the disabled list with a "mild lower back strain." (Source)

I still think Chris Britton should've gotten the call.

Bruney's back

From Peter Abraham:

Just confirmed that right-handed reliever Brian Bruney will rejoin the team for the Tigers series.

Bruney was optioned to Class AAA Scranton on Aug. 7. He appeared in four games there, none since Sunday. His line in those games: 6 5 4 4 2 5.

Bruney was 2-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 50 appearances for the Yankees. It was uncertain as of last night whose spot in the bullpen Bruney would be taking. My guess would be Sean Henn or Ron Villone. (Source)

I still don't understand why Chris Britton hasn't been given a legitimate shot with the big club yet. It's not like he was terrible with the Yankees this season: one earned run and two strikeouts in five innings. He also has 57 strikeouts and only eight walks in 56 innings for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with an ERA of 2.41 in 36 games.

As for who will be sent down for Bruney, my guess is Henn simply because he has options.

Giambi in Scranton

Jason Giambi played in AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's doubleheader Friday as part of his rehab assignment.

In game one, he went 1-2 with a home run and an RBI. He also walked twice and served as the designated hitter.

In game two, he went 0-1 with two walks and a strikeout. He also played first base.

In other news, Chris Britton was activated from the Minor League disabled list and pitched an inning of relief in the second game. He struck out one batter and got the win. Edwar Ramirez also pitched two innings and gave up a run. His ERA is sitting at 0.79 on the season.

Henn up, DeSalvo down

Peter Abraham is reporting the LHP Sean Henn has been called up and Matt DeSalvo was demoted after starting the second game of today's doubleheader.

This season, Henn is 2-0 with a 4.66 ERA in 17 relief appearances. He has struck out 13 and walked 13 in 19 1-3 innings. In AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Henn is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA. In 27 innings, he has struck out 21 and walked seven.

Apparently Chris Britton is on the Minor League disabled list.

Ramirez down

In calling up Matt DeSalvo for tonight's start, Edwar Ramirez was optioned out.

He didn't make a great case to stay after his 19-pitch, 2 strike outing last night.

From Peter Abraham:

The Yankees optioned Edwar Ramirez down to to Scranton after the game. Torre said Igawa was staying in the rotation so presumably DeSalvo will be sent back after the game. No word on who would replace him (source).

I wonder if it'll be Chris Britton.