Adams Sent Down as Nix Readies For Return; Grandy Joins Phelps Up North

Protect that thumb Grandy!

It won't have quite the same fanfare as when Derek Jeter returned to the Yankees, but Jayson Nix will be activated prior to Tuesday night's meeting with the Los Angeles Dodgers. As expected, David Adams was sent back to Scranton Monday to free up space on the 25-man roster.

Nix's offensive numbers were far from good as he filled in at both shortstop and third base, but his work ethic and effort on the field did not go unnoticed by fans, his manager, or teammates. The 30-year old was placed on the 15-day DL after injuring his hamstring at the end of June/beginning of July.

He played one rehab game in the Gulf Coast League and three for Tampa of the Florida State League. At the time of the injury Nix had a .607 OPS with 2 HR, 20 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 73 games played.

Curtis Granderson isn't quite ready to join the Bronx Bombers, but he's getting closer. Literally.  The Grandyman and David Phelps are slated to continue their rehab assignments for the Trenton Thunder on Tuesday.

Granderson, recovering from a broken finger, played four games with the Tampa Yankees and was 2-13 (.154) with an RBI. He's played in just eight regular season games after he had his forearm broken by a pitch in Spring Training and his finger suffered the same fate in his eighth big league game after his return.

Phelps has pitched in one rehab stint for Trenton after he was placed on the 15-day DL July 6 with a slightly strained right forearm. With Ivan Nova looking more and more like he did in 2011, Phelps may be returned to the bullpen when he rejoins the team. That could change if Phil Hughes is dealt away at the trade deadline. The Notre Dame product threw 3.2 innings against the Altoona Curve six days ago and allowed 2 ER, 2 hits, 3 BB, and a home run. He also struck out six batters.

Pettitte DL Bound

The speculation is over, Andy Pettitte is going on the 15-Day DL and Vidal Nuno is doing an about face and coming back to the Bronx.

Pettitte felt discomfort in his trapezius (upper back) muscle during Thursday night's start with Seattle and left before the end of the 5th inning.  Nuno will take Pettitte's turn in the rotation, at least until Ivan Nova returns. (Nova could take the place of Nuno or David Phelps.)

Chris Stewart will be on the bench tonight and can play in a pinch. Alberto Gonzalez is the emergency third string catcher (which means he's praying not to have to catch.)  No word if Brian Cashman is looking around for a suitable back up if Stewart doesn't feel better soon.

Yankees Finally DL Nunez, Recall the Attorney General

The Yankees gave Eduardo Nunez every opportunity to avoid going on the disabled list with a strain in his rib cage, but after he still felt soreness after a workout Saturday, Nunez was indeed placed on the 15-Day DL.

Nunez will be eligible to be activated on May 21 since he was DL'ed retroactively to May 6. Alberto Gonzalez, just reacquired from the Chicago Cubs, was recalled to take his place on the 25-man roster.

Mark Teixeira was moved to the 60-Day DL to make room on the 40-man roster.

The Hurts Just Keeping On Coming: Joba DL'ed

"Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww"

The Yankees had Thursday off, but that didn't keep them from making yet another roster move due to an injury. This time it was reliever Joba Chamberlain who will be sidelined at least 15 days with a strained oblique.

No corresponding move has been made to add a pitcher to the 25-man roster, but it's likely to be Cody Eppley since he's already on the 40-man roster.

David Robertson created some worry in Wednesday night's 5-4 win over the Houston Astros when he hobbled off the mound at the end of the 8th inning. Robertson said he had tweaked his hamstring, but is fine and doesn't expect to miss any action.

The Yankees added to their roster at the end of the game when they acquired infielder Chris Nelson from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later and/or cash. Nelson has experience at second base and third base and will fill the utility role that opened up when Jayson Nix replaced the injured Kevin Youkilis at third base.

Second baseman Corban Joseph, called up when Youkilis went down, will likely be returned to Scranton to open a spot on the 25-man roster. Room was made on the 40-man roster by moving Francisco Cervelli from the 15- to the 60-day DL.

Nelson had a breakout season for the Rockies last year when he .310-9 HR-53 RBI and sported an .810 OPS. This season he struggled (.600 OPS) and became expendable with the emergence of Josh Rutledge at second base and the recall of third base prospect Nolan Arenado (ranked as the #52 prospect by Baseball America; drove in 122 runs two years ago).

A correction on my part - I had stated that when Youkilis was injured third baseman David Adams was the favorite to fill the spot. However, I forgot to take into account that since Adams was released during Spring Training and then re-signed, he was not eligible to be added to the Major League roster until May 15.

In other injury update news - Curtis Granderson had a couple of at-bats down in Florida yesterday and would have had more had rain not stopped everything. The Yankees hope to have him back in a couple of weeks (at most). Mark Teixeira is probably not coming  back before June 1, but he has started hitting off a tee and has taken soft toss swings.

Ronnier Mustelier banged up his knee in Spring Training when he collided with a dugout railing. He's back in Scranton after completing a rehab down in Florida. Mustelier was impressive with his bat and could join the big ball club at some point this year.

Yuke to the DL, Joseph to the Bench

"First my beard, and now this."

As was anticipated, Kevin Youkilis was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Tuesday night's game. Youkilis was in the lineup on Saturday after a week off, but his back continued to bother him.

The Yankees starting third baseman will be out until at least May 13 because the DL could only be back dated to Sunday since Youkilis played on Saturday. During tonight's telecast, YES' Michael Kay relayed a comment by Joe Girardi regarding Youkilis' status.

"Next time I'll ask him six straight times if he feels okay." 

Brian Cashman added that "everyone screwed up in allowing him (Youkilis) to play."

Taking his place on the roster will be second baseman Corban Joseph. I felt David Adams, despite not being on the 40-man roster, would be more of a fit since he was moved from second to third base, and is a good hitter.  Joseph was already on the 40-man and swung a hot batter over the last 10 games (three home runs, .964 OPS), to earn the call.

Jayson Nix will get the bulk of playing time at third base while Youkilis recovers.

DLs, DFA's, and Recalls

The Yankees finally made it official today, placing Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Phil Hughes on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 15.

Hughes will be the first to come off the list if things go as planned and will make his first start on April 7. Who's next to re-join the team remains up in the air, depending on whether Jeter's ankle or Granderson's arm heal first.

The Yankees also added Adam Warren to the 25-man roster as a long man/mop up guy out of the pen. With the need for a spot on the 40-man roster, lefty specialist Clay Rapada was designated for assignment. It's likely Rapada will pass through waivers since he didn't pitch in any of the exhibition and should be brought back with a minor league contract.