Tomko up, Hacker DFAed

We need to get some explanation from Brian Cashman on this one. Brett Tomko was recalled from Scranton today with David Robertson being sent down. To make room on the 40-man roster, pitcher Eric Hacker was designated for assignment.

This makes no sense to us at all. The Yankees are keeping Angel Berroa as insurance in case A-Rod were to re-injure himself. The question is why? Have the Yankees not learned from Josh Phelps, Morgan Ensberg, etc., who were either at the tail end of their careers or never had much of one? Berroa is highly replaceable.

Hacker wasn't having a good year. He was 0-1, 7.88 in 3 starts after his promotion from Trenton, where he went 1-1, 4.11 in 3 starts. But it comes a season after Hacker blossomed at Tampa and Trenton. Hacker allowed less than a hit an inning and had a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio in 144.1 innings pitched.

Hacker is 26, but we can't see him going unclaimed in waivers.

On another note, we have to laugh at all the Yankees fan clamoring for Tomko to be recalled. People can get over infatuated with minor league numbers. Tomko is a journeyman for a reason. Good enough for cups of coffee, but not enough to stick in one place very long.