Slam Duncan

It's over. The great ball man experiment. Not the Seinfeld episode. I'm talking about the hope that the Duncan boys, Shelley and Eric (no relation) could become regular contributors to the Yankees lineup.

Shelley had some moments in the sun during the the 2007 season, hitting seven home runs, but Eric has never had a major league bat and had the bigger upside.

I watched Eric's development at Seton Hall Prep. Local boy makes good. The Florham Park native was the NJ high school player of the year in 2003 and was selected in the 1st round, 27th overall, by the Yankees. Local area baseball fans were excited and full of anticipation as we just knew he would be hitting 30 home runs a year with the friendly right field porch in the old(er) Yankee Stadium.

Things started out well enough. Duncan graduated high school, then spent his summer playing for the GCL and Staten Island Yankees. 6 home runs and 69 RBI in 107 games, plus a good OPS had to be a portend of things to come.

But while Eric hit 35 home runs over the next two seasons, more often than not he wasn't making contact. 267 strikeouts over those same two seasons as the holes in Duncan's game were exposed. He would never hit higher than .260 again and his power diminished. Injuries limited his playing time and led to his departure from the Yankees organization, still just 25 years old.

That announcement came today from LoHud's Chad Jennings (by the way if I haven't said it already, a great replacement for Pete Abe. Chad's work covering the Scranton Yankees was outstanding) that Duncan has signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Perhaps a chance of scenery will help turn things around for Duncan. We can only hope so!

Melancon Headed to Cali

Chad Jennings is reporting that Mark Melancon has been summoned by the Yankees and is headed to Anaheim for the weekend series with the Angels. Melancon struggled in June, but told Jennings that his arm feels great. Hopefully he can catch some of the same magic Francisco Cervelli did in his recall.

No word on the Yankees roster move, but I would hazard to guess that David Robertson, on the heels of today's dismal performance, is hitting the road.

I like Robertson's stuff, but you can't pitch in the majors with that many walks.

Ian Kennedy has Numbness in Fingers

Just spotted this on Mike Silva's Baseball Digest - Ian Kennedy left his Monday start for Scranton due to numbness in his fingers. Scranton beat writer Chad Jennings reported late last night that there was no concrete medical findings as of yet.

Any Yankees fan over the age of 12 will of course recall David Cone going through this in 1996. That turned out to be an aneurysm. We're in no way saying that's the case here. But clearly there is a circulatory issue. It's not uncommon for pitchers who throw split finger fastballs to experience numbness. Jeff Robinson of the '80s Detroit Tigers comes to mind.

Hopefully this turns out to be nothing. We'll keep you posted.

Dr. Phil Good Making his Pitch

Phil Hughes knows what a disappointment 2008 was. Injuries and poor pitching left him winless, DL'ed and back in the minor leagues. But while some were ready to write off the 22-yr old, the Yankees top pitching prospect still had confidence in his abilities. It's paid off so far this season as he awaits a return to the major leagues.

Hughes out pitched veteran major league Freddy Garcia on Wednesday night in the Scranton Yankees 6-1 win over the Buffalo Bisons (Mets). He allowed 1 run and 6 hits over 7.2 innings, walked 1 and struck out 7. In doing so, Hughes raised his record to 3-0.

In 19.1 innings this season, Hughes has allowed just 4 earned runs (1.86 ERA) and given up less than a hit per inning. He's also struck out 19 opponents while walking only 3.

Hughes will be the go to man if Chien-Ming Wang ends up on the DL.

Chad Jennings had this additional info on Hughes' performance:

Phil Hughes (right) struck out seven batters tonight: Two on fastballs, one on a cutter and four on a curveball that was much improved from his previous two outings. Hughes said he's been focused on the curveball during his side sessions, and felt like he got the feel for it heading into this start. It was sharp, and he was willing to throw it in just about any count, including three-ball counts when he needed to drop it for a strike.

“His curveball was outstanding," pitching coach Scott Aldred said. "Command of it was good. Break was good. He used it in good situations. To me he just pitched a much better game. He didn’t just go after guys with his fastball, then use his secondary. He mixed it up real good. No patterns. That was probably the best that I’ve seen him this year.”

Hughes was upset with himself because of the eighth inning. With two outs, he walked Cory Sullivan, then gave up a single to Andy Green on pitch that Hughes said he simply did not execute. He called it a "lack of concentration." All told, though, he was outstanding. He went through four innings -- the fourth through the seventh -- getting every out either on strikes or in the infield. His re-discovered curveball gave him three outstanding pitches, with his fourth pitch, the changeup, still a work in process.

“Trying to develop it," Aldred said. "He threw a few good ones tonight. Others he got on the side of and pushed. As long as he’s throwing it and working on developing it, that’s all we can ask of him right now. It will come. As soon as he gets a good feel for it and enough reps, it will be there.”

Karstens Sent Down to Scranton

Per Chad Jennings, Jeff Karstens has been activated from the DL and optioned to Scranton. Considering he's only up to 65 pitches, it's odd that the Yankees ended Karsten's rehab assignment already.

Could be a collective bargaining agreement issue that we're missing out on.

Karstens Sent Down to Scranton

Per Chad Jennings, Jeff Karstens has been activated from the DL and optioned to Scranton. Considering he's only up to 65 pitches, it's odd that the Yankees ended Karsten's rehab assignment already.

Could be a collective bargaining agreement issue that we're missing out on.

Karstens Pitches, McCutchen Drives?

Jeff Karstens started for the Scranton Yankees this afternoon as he works his way back to being being recalled by the Yankees (perhaps for Ian Kennedy). Chad Jennings also reports that word around the clubhouse is that Dan McCutchen will be called up to Triple-A Scranton, though he has not been able to confirm the news. Jennings also reports that Juan Miranda is probably headed for the DL with an injured shoulder.

Karstens allowed 3 runs in 5 innings of work (he'll fit right in the at the majors right now) in the Yankees 3-2 loss to the Pawtucket Red Sox. He's not at the point where his pitch count is up to starting, but he could be a long man out of the pen if the Yankees want to bring him back sooner rather than later.

J.B. Cox had his 3rd scoreless appearance since being promoted to Triple-A.

Karstens Pitches, McCutchen Drives?

Jeff Karstens started for the Scranton Yankees this afternoon as he works his way back to being being recalled by the Yankees (perhaps for Ian Kennedy). Chad Jennings also reports that word around the clubhouse is that Dan McCutchen will be called up to Triple-A Scranton, though he has not been able to confirm the news. Jennings also reports that Juan Miranda is probably headed for the DL with an injured shoulder.

Karstens allowed 3 runs in 5 innings of work (he'll fit right in the at the majors right now) in the Yankees 3-2 loss to the Pawtucket Red Sox. He's not at the point where his pitch count is up to starting, but he could be a long man out of the pen if the Yankees want to bring him back sooner rather than later.

J.B. Cox had his 3rd scoreless appearance since being promoted to Triple-A.