Kei Igawa named captain, Opening Day starter

Apparently, the Yankees have named Kei Igawa associate team captain. He will also start on Opening Day.

Please explain to me what the Yankees are doing here.

Really, Igawa? Igawa of the 6.66 ERA. Igawa of the 2-4 record.

I am stunned here. I really am at a loss for words. With guys like CC Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang on the team, this really makes no sense to me.

Leave it to the Yankees to do something stupid here.

Frankly, Joe Girardi should be fired. This seals the deal.

Only he could make such a terrible decision. Where is Joe Torre when we need him?

Obviously he's still in Los Angeles, but the Yankees really miss him!

Look - the Yankees have spent a lot of money on Igawa and I can see why they want to get a return on their investment. But let's be real here. The guy is terrible and should never be near a major league mound again.

Seriously, just get him out of my face.













Yeah, yeah. April Fools! The first letter of each paragraph spells out "April Fool's." I probably could've thought of something better to do eventually, but I figured I'd stay with the Kei Igawa April Fools precedent I set last year. He's just that much of a joke.

Yankees invite 20 to spring training

The Yankees announced 20 spring training invitees in a press release today. Some names we already knew from minor-league signing this offseason: Angel Berroa, Kevin Cash, Sergio Mitre and John Rodriguez. Other notables are Shelley Duncan, Kei Igawa, Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero.

In addition to the players on the 40-man roster, this brings the total number of players scheduled to report to 60. Chad Jennings notes that some names not included were J.B. Cox, Alan Horne and Eric Duncan.

Click the above link to read the entire release.

Kepner's latest on Cameron

Tyler Kepner posted his latest update on the Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera trade.

In talking to some people involved today, I get the feeling the Yankees are backing away from a potential Melky Cabrera-for-Mike Cameron trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, at least for now. There’s a deal the teams could make, and while I’m not sure of the particulars, at this point the Yankees’ main question is baseball-related, not financial.

We know they do not value Cameron at $10 million, which is why they wanted the Brewers to include some money — or take on Kei Igawa — to make the deal happen. Now that a fair deal seems to be in place, the question is whether it makes baseball sense.

I’m not sure it does. If the Yankees add Cameron, he would bat in the bottom third of the order. Presumably, Nick Swisher will be there, too. Those two hitters are good for a combined 300 strikeouts a season.

Good news. The more I think about this trade, the Yankees are better off not going through with it, even if it means getting rid of both Cabrera and Kei Igawa.

Kepner also doesn't expect anything regarding Manny Ramirez soon.

Trade talks expected to 'intensify'

George King is reporting that trade talks between the Yankees and Brewers regarding Mike Cameron and Melky Cabrera are expected to intensify tomorrow. Whatever that means.

Apparently the Brewers don't mind Kei Igawa, but they don't want to pay him. Seems reasonable enough.

I still don't see the need for this trade. If the Yankees are looking to upgrade their offense, Cameron isn't exactly the answer.

Latest on Tex, Manny, Cameron, CC and A.J.

George King (I'm still refusing to call him George A. King III) had a bunch of news items spaced out over two articles today.

In the first piece, CC Sabathia is expected in town tomorrow, will take his physical Tuesday and could be formally introduced as early as Wednesday. According to A.J. Burnett's agent, there has been no date set for his physical.

Later, King writes that Kei Igawa's salary has been the latest hold up in the long rumored Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera trade. Igawa makes $4 million per year, so they don't want to spend that after saving Cameron's $10-million salary. The Yankees have told the Brewers that no pitchers on their 40-man roster are available, so that's why they're settled on the enigmatic lefty. The Brewers asked for Phil Coke, Mark Melancon and Jose Veras, but the Yankees quickly shot that down. King says both sides expect to get the deal done eventually.

I hope they don't.

Now, his second article - Yankee-related news regarding Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez.

According to several baseball officials, the Yankees New York Yankees remain in the Mark Teixeira hunt. But the same connected voices insist if the Yankees don't land the switch-hitting first baseman, they will turn their money toward controversial slugger Manny Ramirez.

"If they can't get Teixeira, they are right there on Manny," an official with knowledge of the Yankees' plan said yesterday.

Imagine getting Teixeira or Ramirez after already signing Sabathia and Burnett? Teixeira has already received an eight-year, $160 million offer from the Angels, so he probably won't get an offer from the Yankees, but according to King, the Yankees "are likely" to offer Ramirez three years at $20 million per.

That would be $59.5 million tied up in free agents, and we're not even talking about Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. But the Yankees were given a lot of money to spend. No matter what, it still sounds like a lot, and it's fascinating to see how much the organizational philosophy has changed after a down year.

Igawa removed from 40-man roster

According to Ed Price, the Yankees announced today they have removed Kei Igawa from the 40-man roster.

And get this: every team passed on him on the waiver wire! Other than the Yankees, the Padres were the only other team (last year) to believe he could contribute in any way, shape or form.

Igawa is still under contract through 2011.

Update - 2:55 p.m.: To make room for the new acquisitions, Brett Gardner was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and LaTroy Hawkins was designated for assignment.

The Yankees could have sent Justin Christian down, but a similar situation arose earlier this season when the Yankees called up Christian and left Gardner in the minors so as not to hinder his development. They are presumably doing the same thing this time around as well.

Igawa sent back

That was quick. With David Robertson's call-up, Kei Igawa was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Igawa pitched one inning last night and gave up two hits.

To make room for Robertson on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated Oneli Perez for assignment.

I would have designated LaTroy Hawkins for assignment. But that's just me.

Matsui to the DL, Igawa up

Some roster moves after this afternoon's wonderful performance:

Hideki Matsui has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with the left knee injury. Sidney Ponson is on the active roster in time to make tonight's start.

Also, Ross Ohlendorf (1.1 IP, 6 ER today) has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Kei Igawa (7-4, 3.47 ERA and 77 K in 93 1/3 IP for Scranton) has taken his spot on the roster.

I think in the coming days, the Yankees will option Justin Christian and call up Brett Gardner. Johnny Damon can slide to the DH spot and Gardner can man left field. That's what I would do, at least.

Wang injury speculation

The amateur doctors are out in full force tonight (and early this morning).

According to Tyler Kepner of the Times, Chien-Ming Wang told teammates that he felt a pop in his foot, almost certainly meaning ligament damage that could the right-hander's season in jeopardy.

The injury is to the top of Wang’s foot, the same general area that reliever Brian Bruney injured when he tripped while covering first base in April. Bruney was found to have a Lisfranc injury and is expected to miss a minimum of three months.

Wang has symptoms of the same injury, including swelling and the inability to bear weight on the foot; he left Minute Maid Park on crutches, in a soft cast. Bruney’s injury was in the middle of the foot, and Wang’s is believed to be in the webbing of his toes, between his big toe and second toe.

“I feel sore,” Wang said in a statement to the Yankees’ media relations director, Jason Zillo. “The doctor says I have to go to get an M.R.I. tomorrow. Of course I’m disappointed.”

With the off-day, we may not hear anything from the team regarding Wang's MRI until Tuesday.

Depending on how severe the injury is, it'll be interesting to see how the Yankees react. Wang will at least miss his next start. People are suggesting a trade for C.C. Sabathia (I don't see that happening). There will certainly be a call-up from the minors (Ian Kennedy, Jeff Karstens and Kei Igawa are the more Major League-ready). Dan Giese could possibly make a spot start or two.

This injury couldn't have come at a worse time. Wang was starting to rebound from a rough couple of week and the Yankees have finally gotten over their fear of getting two games over .500. All we can do now is hope the injury isn't a severe as Kepner suggests it is.

Igawa optioned

With Ian Kennedy being called up to start this afternoon's game, Kei Igawa has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

Igawa was terrible in his start Friday night in Detroit, giving up six earned runs in three innings in the Yankees' 6-5 loss.

In 70 2-3 Major League innings, he has a 6.75 ERA.

You have to think he won't be back until September. If there is another injury in the starting rotation, I feel the Yankees would try someone else before going back to Igawa.

Kennedy to start Thursday

Ian Kennedy will return to the Yankees to start on Thursday against Tampa Bay, according to George King.

Kennedy is scheduled to start tonight for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but will likely pitch only one inning.

In one start for Scranton, Kennedy pitched a one-hitter over 7 1-3 innings.

Because of this move, Darrell Rasner will start on Friday against the Mets. Kei Igawa will likely get optioned out come Thursday.

I think they're bringing back Kennedy way too soon. Yes, he had one great start in Triple-A. But that doesn't mean that all of his problems were solved. I think they're better off leaving him down for a couple of more starts, but it looks like the decision has already been made.

Glad I wasn't home

You all know by now that the Yankees lost 6-5. They are now 0-4 against the Detroit Tigers this season.

Kei Igawa was terrible, as expected - three innings, 11 hits, six earned runs. He is still scheduled to start next Wednesday, but hopefully something will change between tonight and Tuesday evening. It's amazing what $5 million can buy you in 2008.

Jonathan Albaladejo will be added to the disabled list with an elbow injury. He pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings before injuring himself. Chris Britton, who was sent down for Igawa, will be brought right back up. The same situation occurred when Alex Rodriguez was placed on the disabled list.

By the way, since bursting onto the scene last season, Shelley Duncan has done absolutely nothing. He is 5-26 with one RBI this season, yet he continues to hit high in the lineup when he does get playing time. It's nice that he's energetic and it's nice that he slams forearms with his teammates, but he's showing nothing at the plate.

The Yankees once against fall one game under .500 on the season at 18-19.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Welcome back

Mr. Kei Igawa makes his 2008 debut tonight against the Detroit Tigers.

For Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, Igawa is 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA. In 39 2-3 innings, he has given up 33 hits and 17 earned runs. He has also struck out 40 and walked 12. Opponents are hitting .223 against him.

Igawa also had nice numbers in the Minors last season (6-5, 3.49 ERA) but struggled miserably in the Majors (2-3, 6.25 ERA).

I'm not expecting much from Igawa tonight, but hopefully he surprises me.

Yankees sign Japanese LHP Igawa

The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed Japanese LHP Kei Igawa to a five-year, $20 million deal. In order to negotiate with the southpaw, the Yankees paid a posting fee of $26 million to the Hanshin Tigers, Igawa's Japanese league team.









APRIL FOOL'S!!!!!!!





Oh, wait.

For more dirty tricks, check out The 'Ropolitans.

Pettitte scratched again

Andy Pettitte, scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game today, was scratched due to back spasms, according to Peter Abraham.

Pettitte was forced to miss a start earlier this spring because of arm irritation. Abraham says the Yankees are hopeful Pettitte will make his start on Apr. 2 against Toronto.

Kei Igawa will also not make this afternoon's start in the Grapefruit League game.

Keeping up with some players

The AP recap of this afternoon's game gives us updates on a couple of Yankees:

Andy Pettitte will throw a bullpen session tomorrow and should start on Monday. Pettitte, scratched from yesterday's start with irritation in his pitching arm, believes he'll feel fine.

Kei Igawa hit his interpreter with a pitch during his bullpen session today. He wanted someone to stand in the box to be a batter. That is good news. Igawa is scheduled to start against Tampa Bay in a split-squad game.

In other news, Hideki Matsui was in the field for the first time this spring, playing left field. He had to run a decent distance after a fly ball and looked fine in doing so. Johnny Damon, who has a bruised toe, is scheduled to be in left field tomorrow.

The game has finally been called

Today's game was finally called in the middle of the sixth inning with the Yankees leading 2-0.

Billy Traber followed Kei Igawa, striking out the side in his one inning of work. Igawa threw 18 pitches for 13 strikes.

The Toronto Blue Jays did not have a base runner through their five innings.

Shelley Duncan and Melky Cabrera had the two RBI for the Yankees this afternoon.

The Yankees return to Tampa tomorrow to take on the Minnesota Twins. The game can be seen on YES and ESPN at 1:15 p.m. Ian Kennedy will take on Kevin Slowey.

Rain cuts short Hughes' outing

Phil Hughes pitched a 1-2-3 first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. After that, the rains came and the Yankees didn't want to take a chance.

According to Peter Abraham, Hughes threw 30 more pitches under cover.

Apparently the game was called unofficially after 1 1-2 innings, as the two managers shook hands. However, the teams are back on the field and are in the top of the fifth inning. Scott Patterson relieved Hughes and pitched a scoreless second inning.

Kei Igawa has pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two and not allowing a hit.

Shelley Duncan went 2-2 with an RBI before being replaced. He is now 6-9 with eight RBI so far this spring.

All of today's starters for the Yankees are out of the game.

Igawa not worried

Apparently Kei Igawa isn't too concerned about his awful outing this afternoon.

From Bryan Hoch:

"I'm not too worried at this point," Igawa said through an interpreter. "It is the first game. I'm able to realize what I need to work on. That is a positive, moving forward."
...

"He got himself in trouble with a walk and hit a guy," Girardi said. "He didn't finish off the slider, and he got in some bad counts, which hurt, but it's early. Your pitches aren't going to be as sharp now as they're going to be in a month."

Yes, it's the first spring game, but Igawa has been in camp for a while now and he apparently is very prepared. He is also part of a $46 million investment, so the Yankees expect more from him. Giving up a grand slam to a pinch hitter on a college team is inexcusable.

If I were in Igawa's position, I'd certainly be worried.

(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Igawa vs. USF

1 IP
1 H
4 R
4 ER
2 BB
2 K
1 HR (grand slam)

This is against a college team, mind you.

Why is he in America?