Posada to be activated tomorrow; Melky update

Brian Cashman (via Peter Abraham) said Jorge Posada will be activated tomorrow.  Posada was placed on the disabled list on May 5 with a right hamstring strain.  He was hitting .312 with five home runs and 20 RBI in 77 at-bats.

Melky Cabrera will not be placed on the disabled list, but he won’t play in the Cleveland series either.  This means that the Yankees will only have three outfielders on the roster.

Also included in Abraham’s update was that Xavier Nady went 2-for-5 with a home run against Blue Jays’ prospects.  It will be nice to get him back.

Posada to the DL

Jorge Posada re-aggravated a hamstring injury when sliding into second base last night.  He was set to have an MRI today, and obviously the results were bad enough to warrant a trip to the disabled list, according to Sweeny Murti on WFAN.

Posada joins Damaso Marte, Cody Ransom, Brian Bruney, Chien-Ming Wang and Xavier Nady as Yankees who were placed on the disabled list during the regular season.  Alex Rodriguez has been injured since spring training.

This is bad news all around.  The Yankees obviously missed Posada last year, and will continue to miss him while he’s out this year.

Updates on the roster moves, Bruney

Cody Ransom was placed on the 60-day disabled list and Humberto Sanchez was released, according to Peter Abraham.

Meanwhile, Brian Bruney’s elbow injury has a strained flexor mass, meaning it’s a muscle injury and not a ligament injury.  He will not throw for a week.

Xavier Nady wasn’t placed on the 60-day DL, which, I presume, means that the team hopes he can return on the sooner side.

Berroa called up

As expected, Angel Berroa has been called up to replace the injured Cody Ransom, according to Chad Jennings.  Berroa is not on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees still need to make another move.  While no move has yet been announced, Jennings suggested moving Xavier Nady to the 60-day DL.

Berroa, 31, is batting .316/.365/.491 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 57 at-bats for Scranton.

It was said last night that David Robertson was called up to take Chien-Ming Wang’s spot.

Nady to avoid surgery

According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, Xavier Nady has a partially torn ligament in his right elbow and will not need surgery.

The Yankees feared originally Nady could be lost for the season with a completely torn ligament, but a review of multiple X-rays revealed that the ligament is only partially torn. He will likely need to rehab the injury for a period of weeks, perhaps a month.

This is obviously great news.  Heyman suggests Nady can return as the team’s DH, as the Yankees are concerned about Hideki Matsui’s knees.

Teixeira receives cortisone shot; Nady news

Peter Abraham updates us on both Mark Teixeira and Xavier Nady.

Mark Teixeira had a cortisone shot in his left wrist and was examined by a specialist before the game. He said the shot will “put me over the top.” Teixeira said he would be playing tomorrow.

Xavier Nady had a second x-ray today and will get a CT scan tomorrow on his right elbow. While he is on the 15-day disabled list, there seems to be at least some hope that his injury is not a completely torn ligament that will require a second Tommy John surgery.
...

“If there’s a way I can avoid that surgery again, that’s the route I want to take,” Nady said. “They’re taking all the tests they can and that’s good.”

Teixeira was pinch hit for by Melky Cabrera in the seventh inning, presumably because the score was 10-1.

Nady was introduced with the team before today’s game.  It was a little sad seeing him run out there, but hopefully he won’t need Tommy John surgery.

X Gon’ Give It to Ya

In honor of Xavier Nady, please enjoy “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” by DMX, his walk-up song.  If you’d rather listen to the uncensored, NSFW version, click here.

Developing: Nady to need surgery, miss season

Update – 2:05 p.m.: Abraham:

We just spoke to Nady. He didn’t want to say too much until he sees the team doctor in NYC tomorrow. But he indicated that the MRI showed a tear and surgery will be needed.

The Yankees don’t have any outfielders on the 40-man roster other than those who are currently on the 25-man roster.

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Original post – 1:37 p.m.: While there has been no official word, Peter Abraham is reporting that Xavier Nady will need elbow surgery and will miss the season.

I will update this post if I hear anything more.

Nady has ‘sharp pain’ in elbow

According to Peter Abraham, Xavier Nady was removed from the game in the seventh inning because he had a “sharp pain” in his right elbow.  An MRI has been scheduled for tomorrow.

Abraham noted that Nady previously had elbow surgery.  I’m sure there will be more on this as it develops.

Update – 11:15 p.m.: Abraham has a quote from Nady: “I’m definitely kind of nervous,” he said.  “But I have to be optimistic. Hopefully it’s scar tissue breaking off. … It was very painful.”

Nady had Tommy John Surgery at the end of the 2001 season.

This doesn’t sound good at all, but I’m hoping for the best.

Yankees open up new Stadium with powerful display

The Yankees hit three home runs to help open up the new Yankee Stadium tonight - the first by Robinson Cano in the second inning after starter Chien-Ming Wang gave up three runs over the first two innings.  The Yankees defeated the Cubs 7-4.

Hideki Matsui and Cody Ransom also added home runs.

Wang struggled early on, giving up four earned over the first four.  He was done after five innings and 71 pitches, striking out three and walking two.

The Yankees retook the lead in the third inning on Matsui's two-run shot.  After the Cubs tied the socre in the fouth, Ransom hit a three-run shot to give the Yankees a 7-4 lead, the eventual final score.

Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner doubled, while Xavier Nady went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Mariano Rivera, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez and Jonathan Albaladejo eached pitched a scoreless inning to close out the game.

The Yankees are back in action tomorrow afternoon against the Cubs, with A.J. Burnett facing Rich Harden at 1:05 p.m. on YES, MLB.tv (free preview) and WCBS 880.

Getty Images

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.

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

Yankees lose 8-4

Though Chien-Ming Wang was only charged with one earned run, he gave up seven runs while on the mound in 1 2/3 innings pitched in the Yankees' 8-4 loss to the Red Sox in Fort Myers. He also surrendered six hits (two home runs) while striking out one. Mike Lowell and David Ortiz homered for the Red Sox.

Xavier Nady drove in two runs for the Yankees and Cody Ransom hit an RBI triple in his 1-for-3 night.

Brett Tomko pitched 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball, striking out five and only allowing two hits.

The Yankees have a split squad game tomorrow. A.J. Burnett will start in Tampa at 1:15 (on YES) against the Houston Astros. Phil Hughes will start against the Pirates at 1:05.

Yankees win 12-3

A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes and Angel Berroa stole the show Sunday afternoon against the Tigers. The two pitchers combined for five scoreless innings, and Berroa drove in four runs in the Yankees' 12-3 victory.

Burnett needed just 18 pitches to get through his two innings, and Hughes followed with three no-hit innings, striking out four and walking two.

Berroa went 2-for-3 with a double, home run and four RBI. Cody Ransom, on the day it was announced that Alex Rodriguez would have surgery, went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored. The Yankees drew 10 walks as a team, with Nick Swisher drawing three of them. Xavier Nady added a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Brian Bruney and Andrew Brackman gave up the Tigers' three runs. Bruney allowed a two-run home run to Will Rhymes.

The Yankees return to Tampa tomorrow to face the Blue Jays at 1:15 p.m. Andy Pettitte will start.

Yankees tried to get Jones

SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees tried to sign Andruw Jones to a minor-league deal, but were turned down. Jones, who was released by the Dodgers after hitting .158 in 209 at-bats last season, still thinks he can get a guaranteed deal, it seems.

Heyman says Texas could be a better fit than the Yankees, but lists the Phillies, Braves and Mets as other teams that have also shown interest.

Meanwhile, Heyman also has an update on the trade front.

The Yankees seem to think they're more likely to find a taker for Nick Swisher than Xavier Nady. But the $21 million over three years left on Swisher's deal will probably make things tricky in this ever-tightening market. The Braves, Nationals and Mariners are among teams seeking a corner outfielder, and there are plenty of choices with Garret Anderson and Hall-bound Ken Griffey Jr. out there, as well as Abreu and Dunn.

As each day passes, I believe a trade gets less likely. The teams Heyman mentioned could sign any of those free agents for a contract that's worth less than Swisher's. Nady, who will make over $6.5 million this season, is also not an extremely cheap option.

Yankees could bring both Swisher and Nady to Tampa

Now that the Andy Pettitte situation is resolved, it's time to steer the conversation back to the outfielders. Jon Heyman has a new report out about Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady.

More teams have shown interest in Nick Swisher than Xavier Nady, but it's possible now that the Yankees take both players to spring training. After getting Pettitte back so cheap, they don't appear to be in quite the rush to unload one of the outfielder's contracts. While Swisher may be drawing interest, the value of Nady, who outhit Swisher by quite a bit last year (.305 to .219), has to be much higher.

As I've said all along, keep both!

Yankees avoid arbitration with Nady

According to the LA Times' Dylan Hernandez (via RAB), the Yankees avoided arbitration with Xavier Nady today.

Nady and the Yankees have agreed on a one-year, $6.55 million deal. The Yankees still haven't come to terms with Brian Bruney and Melky Cabrera.

Nady made $3.35 million last season.

More the Swisher/Nady trade front

Tyler Kepner has the latest news regarding a possible Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady trade.

That leaves Swisher and Nady, and Cashman said there was no preference for trading one over the other; it would depend on what a team offers in return. For several reasons, though, it seems more prudent to hold on to Swisher and dangle Nady.

Swisher, a 28-year-old switch-hitter, is two years younger than Nady and is signed for three more seasons at roughly $21 million. Nady, 30, is a right-handed hitter who is eligible for free agency after the season. He is represented by Scott Boras, who rarely agrees to a long-term deal before a player explores the open market.

Nady had a better season than Swisher last year, batting .305 with 25 home runs and 97 runs batted in — all career highs. Swisher had the worst of his five seasons, hitting just .219 with 24 homers and 69 R.B.I. But Swisher’s on-base percentage, .332, was actually better than Nady’s .320 figure over two months with the Yankees.

In that way, Swisher profiles better as the kind of player the Yankees seek for their lineup. He saw an average of 4.53 pitches per plate appearance last season, leading the major leagues in that category. Nady averaged 3.65 pitches per plate appearance. Among Yankees, only Robinson Canó (3.35 pitches) was worse.

I've stated many times that I'd like to keep both, but Kepner makes a compelling argument to trade Nady. Again, it's all contingent on what the Yankees get in return.

Meanwhile, Kepner also has news from Brian Cashman regarding the progress of Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera - both coming off offseason surgeries. Cashman said that fact "concerns me" and that "Posada is just throwing at 90 feet on flat ground and Mo's not even throwing yet."

Posada won't be able to catch the spring training opener on Feb. 25 but remains on track to be ready for the season opener. Rivera, on the other hand, never throws in January, so this is par for the course.

Braves cooling on Nady

According to Ken Rosenthal, Xavier Nady remains safe for now.

A trade remains a possibility, but the Braves are unwilling to meet the Yankees' price for outfielder Xavier Nady, knowing they might get better deals in July.

I like the sound of that. The Yankees aren't just going to trade Nady away for nothing. The only thing here is that we once again don't know exactly what the Yankees hope to obtain.

I guess that's a good thing in the long run. Hank Steinbrenner was essentially negotiating through the media during the 2007-08 offseason, but we all know he's irrelevant now.

I really hope Nady and Nick Swisher stay. This team is better with both in the lineup.

Heyman on Pettitte

SI's (as well as SNY's, WFAN's and MLB Network's) Jon Heyman is reporting Andy Pettitte has less than a 50 percent chance of resuming his Yankee career, according to team officials.

We all know Pettitte was upset at the Yankees' one-year, $10 million offer, but he hasn't seen anything better, according to Heyman, and will likely have to wait for the team to trade either Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady to free up payroll space.

If all else fails, retirement could be his second option, and pitching for either Houston or the Dodgers could be other long-shot alternatives, Heyman said.

If Pettitte really wants to pitch in 2009, I believe he is going to regret not taking the Yankees' original offer.

Just keep in mind what Pettitte said on Sept. 10 (via NoMaas): "The Yankees know me enough, it's not like I'm going to hold out. I guess if I had spent all my money or whatever, it might be different. But it's not about that, really, anymore."

Hmmm...