Yankees to carry no long reliever

Bryan Hoch is reporting that Jonathan Albaladejo has made the team, meaning that the Yankees will have no dedicated long reliever to begin the season.

Pitchers Alfredo Aceves, Dan Giese and Brett Tomko, and catcher Kevin Cash were all sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

I liked what Tomko showed during spring training. His meaningless stats: 15.1 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 12 K. Small sample size, yes, but he would've been a nice addition to the team coming out of camp.

That said, Albaladejo pitched well also, giving up one earned run in 9 2/3 innings, striking out eight and walking one. I've been intrigued by Albaladejo. We didn't see much of him last year but he could be another nice addition to the team if he stays healthy.

The first of the last two games in Florida is this afternoon. The Yankees are playing in New York on Friday.

Yankees win 3-1

Andy Pettitte was stellar in the Yankees' 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon.

The lefty gave up one earned run over 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven, walking none and scattering five hits.

Mark Teixeira added to his hot spring with a 2-for-3 day, including his sixth double in Grapefruit League play and two RBI. Derek Jeter and Angel Berroa also hit doubles.

Damaso Marte, Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez each had scoreless outings to help close out the game.

Joba Chamberlain will start for the Yankees tomorrow afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds.

Gardner tapped for CF

Joe Girardi announced that Brett Gardner will be the starting center fielder, according to Peter Abraham. Melky Cabrera will be on the team.

Said Girardi: “Both of them played great. Melky had a tough year last year but he came into camp, was ready to go and played very well. Gardy finished up strong (last season) and had a great camp and we’re just going to go with Gardy.”

Gardner's speed is definitely intriguing, but he can't steal first base. He's hit well this spring - .418 with three home runs and six RBIs - but we know that spring stats don't matter all that much. For comparison's sake, Cabrera hit .328 with nine RBIs.

However, we all know what Cabrera does (and can't do), so it'll be nice to see someone new and exciting playing everyday until he becomes a detriment to the team.

Yankees cut eight

Peter Abraham reported that the Yankees reassigned the following eight players to the minor-league camp today:

OF Todd Linden
1B-OF Shelley Duncan
OF John Rodriguez
INF Doug Bernier
INF Justin Leone
C P.J. Pilittere
C Chris Stewart
RHP David Robertson

This is what Joe Girardi had to say about Robertson:

“He threw the ball OK,” Girardi said. “It’s important he go down and get some work. Robbie’s performed at this level pretty well at times and he performed for us at spring training pretty well at times. He’s a man who has, I think, a good future. He needs to continue a little to mature a little but as pitcher. I told him there’s a chance we’ll see him this year.”

I think 10 strikeouts in 6 2/3 spring innings is a little better than "OK." I hope he'll get another chance to prove himself sooner rather than later.

Yankees win 4-1

This game seemed like a regular season game: CC Sabathia to Damaso Marte to Mariano Rivera.

Sabathia pitched 7 2/3 innings, striking out seven and walking none in the Yankees' 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds Friday night. He allowed only four hits and one earned run.

Marte retired the only batter he faced, and Rivera shut the door in the ninth.

Derek Jeter went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in the leadoff spot. Mark Teixeira went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

The Yankees will face the Braves tomorrow afternoon at 1:05. The game will be on MLB Network.

Yankees win 10-2

The Yankees powered their way to a 10-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon, hitting four home runs.

Hideki Matsui hit a two-run home run in the first inning after Derek Jeter led off with a single. Cody Ransom homered in the fourth, while Nick Swisher and Melky Cabrera (!) each homered in the eighth inning.

Cabrera finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Jeter went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in the leadoff spot.

Joba Chamberlain started and struck out three and walked three in 4 1/3 innings. He also gave up three hits and two earned runs. Phil Coke, Edwar Ramirez, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras and Jonathan Albaladejo all had scoreless appearances.

CC Sabathia and the Yankees will take on the Cincinnati Reds tomorrow night in Tampa at 7:15.

ST Game 29: Yankees at Phillies

The Yankees are in Clearwater to take on the Phillies at 1:05. The game is on YES, with Joba Chamberlain on the hill.

New York Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Hideki Matsui DH
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Cody Ransom 3B
Jose Molina C
Melky Cabrera CF

Joba Chamberlain RHP, followed by Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez and Jonathan Albaladejo

In the previous post, I linked to Bryan Hoch's blog post about CC Sabathia starting both openers. Toward the end of his post, he mentioned how the Yankees are toying with Jeter batting in the leadoff spot for the rest of spring training. Jeter has an .859 OPS when he bats leadoff, compared to his .845 in the two-hole.

When Jeter is the first batter of the game, he bats .354/.408/.561 with 19 home runs.

Just something to think about.

Sabathia to start Opening Day

From the no surprises department: It was announced this morning that CC Sabathia will start on Opening Day, reports Bryan Hoch. Joe Girardi also said that Sabathia is on schedule to start the home opener on April 16.

Sabathia said that he was excited to get the assignment and that he hadn't assumed anything would be given to him, because of the way the rotation stacks up. Andy Pettitte was considered for April 16 but the pitching order didn't work out.

This is always my favorite story of the spring. It signals to me that the games that count are so close.

Yankees win 7-1

A.J. Burnett was solid once again Tuesday night, allowing one earned run in 5 2/3 innings in the Yankees' 7-1 victory over the Red Sox. Burnett struck out four, walked two and allowed one earned run, as he seemed to tire toward the end of his start.

Brett Gardner hit his second triple of the spring and Austin Jackson hit an eighth-inning grand slam before being sent to the minor-league camp.

Jorge Posada threw out Jacoby Ellsbury as he attempted to steal second base. Ellsbury stole 50 bases last season, so this is a nice achievement for the recovering Posada.

Mariano Rivera pitched another perfect inning, striking out two. Jonathan Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez and Damaso Marte each had scoreless outings as well.

The Yankees are off tomorrow. Joba Chamberlain will start for the Yankees against the Phillies on Thursday.

ST Game 28: Red Sox at Yankees

A.J. Burnett and the Yankees are taking on the Red Sox in Tampa tonight at 7:15 p.m. The game is on YES, MLBN and WCBS 880.

New York Yankees
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Hideki Matsui DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Xavier Nady LF
Cody Ransom 3B
Brett Gardner CF

A.J. Burnett RHP, followed by Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte, Edwar Ramirez and David Robertson

Boston Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Jed Lowrie SS
David Ortiz DH
Chris Carter LF
Rocco Baldelli RF
George Kottaras C
Brad Wilkerson 1B
Nick Green 2B
Angel Chavez 3B

Tim Wakefield RHP, followed by Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez

Jeter back with Yankees

Derek Jeter is back in Tampa with the Yankees and will play in tonight's game against the Red Sox (7:15 on YES and MLB Network).

According to YESNetwork.com's Twitter feed, Jeter was greeted by A.J. Burnett, tonight's starter. What a guy.

I'll be back later with the lineup.

O'Brien: Swisher 'glum'

According to Newsday's Kat O'Brien, Nick Swisher was "glum" for the first time at Yankees' camp after losing the starting job in right field to Xavier Nady.

Swisher didn't say anything "wrong" or "out there," but he wants to play every day. The news that Nady will be the starter, he said: "I don't know if anyone would take that the right way at first. ... But I have all the faith in the world that this is where I want to be." He also expressed confidence that he will get plenty of at-bats.

I've been a big fan of Swisher since the Yankees acquired him, so I'm a little disappointed too. I just hope Joe Girardi knows what he's doing here.

I understand Swisher had a terrible year last year. Nady had a great year in comparison to the rest of his career - which resulted in the Yankees making the trade for him in July - so I'm not sure if he'll put up similar numbers this season.

This all said, it's a good problem to have.

Wang set to start first game at new Stadium

Bryan Hoch is reporting that Chien-Ming Wang will start the first exhibition game at the new Yankee Stadium against the Cubs on April 3 at 7:05 p.m.

A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte will pitch against the Cubs the next day at 1:05 p.m.

Both games will be on YES.

Posada 'back to 100 percent'

After throwing out three of four runners in yesterday's minor-league game, Jorge Posada said his shoulder is "back to 100 percent."

"Now you know that you can trust your arm again," he said. "That's the only thing I wanted to do. Come out of spring training knowing that I can throw somebody out and trust my arm again . . . Today's special. You throw a couple guys out and you feel good about that."

Posada caught CC Sabathia against Pirates' minor leaguers at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa. Sabathia struck out four and allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings (81 pitches).

Yankees win 4-3

Make that nine in a row for the Yankees. The Yankees, behind Joba Chamberlain, beat the Tigers 4-3 in Tampa this afternoon.

In 3 1/3 innings, Chamberlain gave up four hits, one earned run and no walks while striking out five. He threw 61 pitches for 41 strikes. Jonathan Albaladejo gave up three hits but no runs in relief of Chamberlain. Mariano Rivera followed with yet another scoreless inning, striking out two.

Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras each gave up one run in their innings. Veras surrendered an eighth-inning home run to Jeff Larish.

Offensively, the Yankees recorded 11 hits, including two from Melky Cabrera (one double). He also stole his second base of the spring. Juan Miranda hit a two-run home off Fernando Rodney to retake the lead in the seventh.

The Yankees will start Alfredo Aceves tomorrow afternoon in Port Charlotte against the Tampa Bay Rays.

ST Game 25: Tigers at Yankees

Good matchup in Tampa today: Joba Chamberlain vs. Tigers' 2007 first-round pick Rick Porcello. The game begins at 1:15 and will be on WCBS 880.

New York Yankees
Melky Cabrera CF
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Hideki Matsui DH
Xavier Nady RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Cody Ransom 3B
Jose Molina C
Angel Berroa SS

Joba Chamberlain RHP, followed by Mariano Rivera, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras

Yankees win 4-2

With their 4-2 victory this afternoon against the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees have now won eight straight. Too bad it's March 20.

Mark Teixeira hit his first home run of the spring in the sixth inning off Joe Nathan. Todd Linden and Austin Jackson also added home runs.

Phil Hughes pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. He also walked one and struck out none.

The Yankees, behind Joba Chamberlain, will take on the Tigers tomorrow afternoon at 1:15 p.m. in Tampa.

Yankees win 7-4

The Yankees survived a scare tonight when A.J. Burnett took a ball off his left forearm. However, he stayed in the game and pitched 3 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits, one earned run and three walks, while striking out one in the Yankees 7-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Brian Bruney was a negative, as he walked four and surrendered two earned runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Mariano Rivera restored order when he retired the side in order in the sixth on five pitches.

Offensively, the Yankees had 14 hits as a team, but only Nick Swisher had a multi-hit game. Eduardo Nunez hit a two-run home run in the eighth. Ramiro Pena, Jorge Posada, Kevin Cash and Swisher each had one double, and Xavier Nady hit a triple.

Phil Hughes will start for the Yankees tomorrow afternoon in Fort Myers against the Twins at 1:05 p.m.

AP Photo

ST Game 22: Yankees at Astros

New York Yankees
Johnny Damon LF
Robinson Cano DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Cody Ransom SS
Jose Molina C
Melky Cabrera CF
Angel Berroa 2B
Justin Leone 3B

Chien-Ming Wang RHP, followed by Brett Tomko, Jose Veras, Phil Coke and Jonathan Albaladejo

Yankees win 9-2

CC Sabathia and the rehabbing Yankees (Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui and Mariano Rivera) all starred in the Yankees' 9-2 victory last night.

Sabathia started and pitched four solid innings. He struck out seven and allowed only one hit while walking one. This came after his awful start on March 11 against the Tigers in which he gave up five earned runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Rivera made his spring debut in the fifth inning. He pitched a perfect inning, striking out two.

Posada batted leadoff and went 1-for-3 with two RBI, a walk and a run scored. He was behind the plate and there was a successful stolen base attempt against him. Matsui went 2-for-2 with a home run, double and four RBI. Robinson Cano came into the game at DH and drove in a run on a double in his three-at-bat night.

Edwar Ramirez and Alfredo Aceves finished off the game. Aceves allowed a solo home run in his three innings of work. He allowed four hits and struck out two.

The Yankees will face the Astros in Kissimmee with Chien-Ming Wang on the mound.