Tex's Wrist Sends Him Back to Tampa

Mark Teixeira hoped to represent the United States in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but a strained right wrist ended that wish.

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported that Tex injured the wrist while taking batting practice prior to Team USA's exhibition game with Chicago White Sox.

Tex is expected to sit 7-10 days and will be re-evaluated by the Yankees doctors. Teixeira is a notoriously slow starter and hoped the Team USA's games would help out in putting together a productive first month of the season.

You can bet the Yankees will take things cautiously so that Teixeira isn't out for an extended period of time. An already weakened lineup can't take any more missing parts.

Around the Horn - St. Patrick's Day

A happy green day to everyone. Phillies fans are hoping the luck of the Irish will help out Cole Hamels. The left-hander's MRI came out negative as far as structural damage goes, but just what is causing the ace's pain?

Julio Lugo will be out of the Boston lineup until probably the end of April after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Jed Lowrie will fill at shortstop in the meantime.

Marlins pitcher Matt Lindstrom took exception to a slow home run trot in the WBC the other night and threw behind the next batter. Shortly there after Lindstrom had to leave the game with shoulder pain. Turns out Lindstrom was hurting before the game and didn't tell anyone (here we go again). An examination revealed a strained rotator cuff that will shut down Lindstrom for 7-10 days.

Team USA has been bitten by the injury bug. In addition to Lindstrom, Dustin Pedroia (strained oblique), Ryan Braun (strained intercostal muscle), Chipper Jones (minor oblique strain), and David Wright (rung bell) have all suffered injuries.

Manny Ramirez will sit out the remainder of the week with a hamstring strain. Manny was quoted as saying, "I'm getting old." That didn't seem to be an issue when he wanted a $100 million contract.

Vernon Wells is almost ready to suit up for a spring training game. He's begun swinging the bat in Blue Jays intrasquad games as he makes his way back from an injured hamstring.

Jeter's Top 10

We're not talking about rating Jessica Biel or Jessica Alba, though that would be fun. No, Derek Jeter and 9 Team USA teammates were on the David Letterman Show last night to read the top 10 list. Here it is:

Top 10 reasons to watch the World Baseball Classic:

10. Jimmy Rollins: "Due to economic crisis, we all have to share same pair of pants."

9. Curtis Granderson: "Japan has one of them crazy robot shortstops."

8. Dustin Pedroia: "Because it's an international event, our right fielder is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

7. Chipper Jones: "The winning team plays Neptune in the Galactic Baseball Classic."

6. Roy Oswalt: "It's fascinating seeing how players from other countries scratch themselves."

5. Adam Dunn: "You'll be part of a cherished baseball tradition dating all the way back to 2006." (Letterman added: "Oh, the stories they can tell.")

4. Ryan Braun: "Because of the metric system, games will be 6.83 innings."

3. Kevin Youkilis: "Before each game, get to sit through 30 different national anthems."

2. David Wright: "Australia's secret weapon: a fastball-throwing kangaroo."

1. Derek Jeter: "What else are you going to watch, hockey?"

Oswalt definitely got the best one. You can also watch the Top 10 on Letterman's website.

Yankees Host Team USA Today

We never got the chance to recap yesterday's 5-5 tie with the Astros. The biggest thing to come out of it was the two excellent innings by Chien-Ming Wang. The Daily News' Anthony McCarron recaps Wang's day.

It was also an important game for Melky Cabrera and Angel Berroa, who are both fighting for jobs. The Melkman had a couple of hits and 2 RBI, and Berroa homered and doubled.

In the battle for the long spot in the bullpen, Brett Tomko allowed one run in two innings.


The Yankees take on Team USA today in Tampa (1:00 on YES). Derek Jeter has been named captain of the USA squad. Jeter talks about it in a video interview on Yankees.com

Karstens Pitches to Quarters

Jeff Karstens threw 7 innings of 1 run ball as Team USA defeated South Korea, 3-1, earning a trip to the World Cup quarterfinals. Dodgers prospect Andy LaRoche, son of former Yankee Dave LaRoche, belted a 2-run home run.

The US joins Holland, which upset host Taiwan, Japan, and Cuba in the quarters.

Source

Karstens Pitches to Quarters

Jeff Karstens threw 7 innings of 1 run ball as Team USA defeated South Korea, 3-1, earning a trip to the World Cup quarterfinals. Dodgers prospect Andy LaRoche, son of former Yankee Dave LaRoche, belted a 2-run home run.

The US joins Holland, which upset host Taiwan, Japan, and Cuba in the quarters.

Source

R.O.C.K in the USA

Jeff Karstens represented the pinstripes this summer. Now he'll representing the stars and stripes as a memeber of the World Cup Team USA. The team will compete in Taipei this November. Karstens is the sole member of the Yankees organization on the team.

R.O.C.K in the USA

Jeff Karstens represented the pinstripes this summer. Now he'll representing the stars and stripes as a memeber of the World Cup Team USA. The team will compete in Taipei this November. Karstens is the sole member of the Yankees organization on the team.