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.

Even more reassignments

According to Peter Abraham, Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez and Chase Wright were all assigned to the minor league camp after pitching in today's game.

They join:

Daniel McCutchen, Steven Jackson, Steven White, Scott Strickland, Mark Melancon, Eric Duncan, Jesus Montero, Marcos Vechionacchi and Austin Romine.

Due to the Francisco Cervelli injury, a catcher (either Montero or Romine) will be brought back from the minor league camp.

Chamberlain's inning

Joba Chamberlain pitched the top of the third inning in the Futures Game.

His line: One inning pitched, one hit, one run, one earned run, one walk, one strikeout and 15 pitches (10 strikes). He also had to chase a pigeon away from the mound.

His first pitch was a fastball at 96 mph. However, he ended up walking the batter, Michael Saunders, on five pitches. All the pitches in this at-bat were at least 94 mph, but he lacked control of his fastball.

While Ching-Lung Hu was up, Saunders stole second. Hu then singled on a 96 mph fastball, scoring Saunders. In this at-bat, he started to show off his breaking stuff. His sliders and curveballs were absolutely nasty.

Wladimir Balentien was up next. He struck out on three pitches, the last of which going for 98 mph according to MLB Gameday. Hu was thrown out trying to steal second on this pitch as well.

Chamberlain was able to retire the next batt, Joey Votto, on two pitches.

He certainly looked better than Phil Hughes did in last year's Futures Game. In one inning of work, he gave up four hits and three runs. He also allowed a home run, but struck out two batters as well.

All-in-all, I think he needs more time in the Minors, obviously, but the future is indeed bright. With Hughes recovering from injury and Chamberlain improving with each start, the Yankees can get young starters into the mix within the next year or two. There are also more young guns in AA Trenton, such as Alan Horne and Ian Kennedy who have also been pitching very well. Dellin Betances has just started out in A Staten Island and could very well make an impact towards the end of the decade.