Gardner to DL with broken thumb

The news broke earlier this morning that Brett Gardner broke his left thumb during his takeout slide at second base yesterday afternoon.  He was put on the 15-day disabled list, with Jonathan Albaladejo taking his spot on the roster.

Peter Abraham says that have the extra pitcher up is temporary and they’ll add a position player in the next couple of days.  He suggests Austin Jackson, Shelley Duncan or John Rodriguez.

Gardner will be in a cast for two weeks.

I think if the Yankees call up Jackson, they feel that Gardner’s injury is more serious.

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.

Yankees sign Angel Berroa

Wow, the Yankees really are buying championships. First Jason Johnson, then John Rodriguez. Now they have signed Angel Berroa, according to Ken Rosenthal.

Remember the uproar when he won the Rookie of the Year award over Hideki Matsui in 2003? Boy, has his career really fallen off.

Rosenthal said Berroa is expected to compete with Cody Ranson for the utility infielder job.

Yankees sign John Rodriguez

According to Joel Sherman, the Yankees have signed outfielder John Rodriguez to a minor-league contract. If he makes the major league roster, he will earn $450,000 plus plate appearance-based incentives.

Rodriguez, who will turn 31 on Inauguration Day, last played in 2006 for the Cardinals. In 332 career at-bats, Rodriguez has seven home runs and 32 RBI, while hitting .298/.378/.434. The Yankees actually signed him as an amateur free agent back in 1996.

Sherman suggests that he'll add outfield depth especially if the Yankees trade Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher.