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.

Yankees make six roster moves

Bryan Hoch is reporting the Yankees have made six cuts before this afternoon's game in Tampa.

Phil Hughes, Steven Jackson and Anthony Claggett have been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Humberto Sanchez was sent to Double-A Trenton.

Also, Jason Johnson and Sergio Mitre were sent to the minor-league camp across the street from Steinbrenner Field.

General Manager Brian Cashman said there aren't enough innings to go around this late in camp.
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I've thought all along that Hughes would begin the season in Scranton, so I'm not shocked by this. If he pitches as well as he has this spring (12.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 K), he'll be back up sooner rather than later. His seven walks are a bit of a concern, but he'll be able to hone his craft.

Rookies dress up as Village People

Update - 6:55 p.m.: Cervelli, Miranda, Sanchez, Aceves

The Yankees hazed their rookies after today's scheduled game was rained out. They made them dress up as the Village People on the way back to the team hotel, according to Bryan Hoch.

Brett Gardner donned a construction vest and jeans, Alfredo Aceves became a screaming Indian chief and Francisco Cervelli was the leather-clad biker. Juan Miranda (police officer) and Humberto Sanchez (sailor) found different uniforms, and David Robertson was a cowboy -- six-shooter and all.

It doesn't seem like the Yankees tortured their rookies as much as the White Sox tortured Lance Broadway, for example.

I haven't found any pictures yet, but I'll add them to this post once I do.

AP Photo

Rehabbing Yankees

The AP has an update on all of our favorite injured Yankees.

In summation:

• Hideki Matsui: Took 55 swings and also hit off a tee for the fourth straight day. He will also take batting practice tomorrow.
• Johnny Damon: Plans to hit off a tee on Monday, as he had treatment on his shoulder today.
• Phil Hughes: Threw 25 pitches off the mound and is still targeting a September return.
• Humberto Sanchez: Struck out two in a perfect inning of work for the GCL Yankees. A Rockies' scout was looking at Sanchez pitch, as the Yankees are interested in acquiring reliever Brian Fuentes.
  

Hughes pushed back

Tucked away in a post against Brian Bruney's and Humberto Sanchez's rehab appearances for the GCL Yankees was this little nugget about Phil Hughes from Pete Caldera:

Today, Cashman said not to expect Phil Hughes in August (putting him on a September course with Wang).

I keep getting the feeling that we won't see Hughes (or Wang, for that matter) until February. Is anyone else also getting that impression?

By the way, Bruney struck out a batter and allowed a hit in one inning (18 pitches). And Sanchez struck out one, walked one and allowed one hit while throwing 13 pitches in his inning of work.

Position players reported today

The position players reported to camp and took their physicals today. The first full-squad workout will be tomorrow.

Johnny Damon was a subject of attention today. According to Bryan Hoch, Damon wants to prove that he is a still an elite leadoff man. He also has no problem with left field, and will play center field when Melky Cabrera needs a rest.

From Peter Abraham, Joe Girardi hopes that Damon will get at least 600 at-bats.

Giambi also "looks great" and would like to play beyond next year (the final year of his Yankee contract). I feel that even if he has a decent year, this will be his last as a Yankee. Giambi is a station-to-station guy on the bases, and the Yankees are trying to get younger and more athletic.

Mussina is throwing well. He needs to be on a mission to prove his worth, as he is also in the last year of his contract. He's been on the decline the last few years, so he doesn't want to fall out of favor with the higher-ups in the organization. It also helps that he has been mentoring Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy.

Hank Steinbrenner signed many autographs this afternoon, and there was also a Carl Pavano sighting (pictured here with Humberto Sanchez).

The news has been rather slow today, so I don't see anything happening for the rest of today. But if there is anything, I'll be here. Enjoy the rest of your day.

In the meantime, Hal Steinbrenner did an interview for GQ Magazine.

Photos by REUTERS/Scott Audette