The first day of spring will see the Yankees travel to Lakeland to meet the Detroit Tigers in a 1:05 start. Mike Mussina, looking to have back-to-back solid performances, gets the start for the Pinstripes. Jeremy Bonderman will take to the hill for the Tigers.
Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi, and Robinson Cano will not make the trip, but Johnny Damon, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez will be in the starting lineup.
Back to the Sidelines
Jaret Wright, who had his best outing by far on Saturday, was hit by back spasms on Sunday. The Yankees don't believe it is serious, but Wright will be re-evaluated today to determine if an MRI is needed.
Scott Erickson is in even worse shape. His back is locked up so badly, that he's using crutches to help get around. The team doctors have been unable to get him righted thus far.
On a more upbeat note, Carl Pavano threw from the regular mound with a batter standing in the box. Pavano threw 35 pitches and hopes to throw batting practice on Wednesday.
Thanks For Coming
The Yankees major league roster and camp got smaller yesterday with the retirement of Al Leiter and several players being re-assigned. The Yankees optioned right-hander T.J. Beam to Double-A Trenton and outfielder Melky Cabrera and left-hander Sean Henn to Triple-A Columbus. Left-hander Frank Brooks, right-hander J. Brent Cox, catcher David Parrish and infielders Marcos Vechionacci, Ramiro Pena, Eric Duncan and Mitch Jones were reassigned to the Minor League camp.
With early season injuries and the fact that he's still being in camp, Kevin Thompson could have a shot of making the ballclub when the team heads north. Thompson has had an outstanding spring, batting .436 with OPS of 1.066.
The First Robin of Spring
Update 2:10
All those good feelings Mike Mussina had after his last outing, went out the window today. Dmitri Young, Brandon Inge, and Alexis Gomez took Mussina deep and the Yankees trail the Tigers 8-0 in the 4th inning.
Update 2:55
The day continued to be a sour one for Mike Mussina as he gave up a fourth home run - this one by Magglio Ordonez. The Yankees trail in the sixth innings, 13-1. Miguel Cairo has homered for the lone Yankees tally.
Red Sox Get Bat - Looking to strengthen their starting lineup, the Red Sox have shipped pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena. Arroyo could immediately becomes the ace of the Reds staff. The right-handed hitting Pena, just 24 years old, could split time in the outfield with lefty Trot Nixon or could be the full-time right fielder if Nixon is moved. He also serves as insurance if right-handed hitter Mike Lowell cannot stay healthy. Pena, originally a Yankee prospect, slugged 26 home runs in just 336 at-bats in 2004. Last season, with a healthy Ken Griffey Jr. back in the lineup, Pena managed just 311 at-bats, but still hit 19 home runs.
Arroyo, 29, came up big for the Red Sox during their championship run in 2004, and last year won a career high 14 games.
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