Pineda To Take the Ball For Trenton

Michael Pineda takes another step towards his first regular season appearance for the Yankees when he starts for the Double-A Trenton Thunder.

This will be Pineda's third official minor league start of the season, with prior two coming as a member of the Florida St. League's ('A+') Tampa Yankees. Pineda has also thrown simulated and extended Spring Training.

Pineda, acquired from Seattle with Jose Campos in a controversial deal for Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi prior to last season, was shut down during Spring Training of 2012 and underwent shoulder surgery that threatened his career.

Reports have been good during Pineda's comeback with his fastball reportedly topping out at 95 mph. He could eventually take the place of Phil Hughes or David Phelps in the Yankees rotation.

Could Pineda Be the Rotation's Savior

Michael Pineda is about to take the next step in his recovery from shoulder surgery. The Yankees announced that Pineda will start a 30-day rehab assignment on Saturday. With Andy Pettitte struggling with a bad back and Phil Hughes a likely candidate to throw to every hitter in this year's home run derby, Pineda could be the guy that stabilizes the rotation.

The much debated trade that sent the Yankees top hitting prospect, Jesus Montero and promising pitcher Hector Noesi to the Seattle Mariners for Pineda and pitcher Jose Campos was completely in the Mariners favor last season. With the chance to get regular at-bats, Montero produced 15 home runs and 62 RBI in his first full season in the Majors.  Meanwhile, Pineda ended up with shoulder surgery after having to leave a Spring Training game early. Campos was also shut down with a balky elbow.

This year the worm has turned. Montero was completely ineffective at the plate and behind it. The Mariners demoted him on May ?? While playing for Triple-A Tacoma Montero ruptured his left meniscus and will be out 4-6 weeks after surgery. The Yankees are cautiously optimistic that Pineda can join their rotation if he continues to throw consistently in the low-to-mid 90's. (They've already stated Pineda will not be used as a reliever.)

If Pineda is effective, the Yankees could do one of two things with Hughes. Either move the impending free agent at the trade deadline or move him to the bullpen where he excelled in 2009. The latter could also mean moving Joba Chamberlain, whose inconsistency could drive you crazy, to another team at the deadline (or before so I'll have less agida). I don't expect either Hughes or Chamberlain to be with the Yankees next season.

If things go as planned, it could also build towards next year's rotation which could be comprised of CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, David Phelps, and Pineda,  plus someone acquired through free agency or a trade. This notion is based on the assumption that Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda both retire.

Montero - Pineda: A Year Later

You can count me as one of the people that was ecstatic when the Yankees acquired Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners for the organization's top prospect, Jesus Montero. Sure, I was sorry to see Montero go...after hearing of all the promise and seeing some of the potential when he was called up in September, 2011, I was anxious to see what he could do with 400-500 at-bats. (Click here to read my take on the night of the deal.)

However, Pineda's success in 2010 tempered my feelings about losing Montero. The hard throwing right-hander was only 23-years old when the 2012 season began. He went 9-10, 3.74 in his rookie season with the Mariners, wtih 173 strikeouts in 171 innings pitched. His 2.9 walks per nine innings wasn't bad for a rookie either.

Pineda built up most of his success in the first half of the season in the Seattle, when he held opposing hitters to a .198 average. His ERA over his first 18 starts was 3.03, but soared to over five in his last 10 starts when he appeared to have worn down. The Mariners limited Pineda to just seven starts over the season's final two months and tried to keep his pitch count under 100 to keep him healthy.

Pineda's previous high of 139.1 innings pitched occurred in the minor leagues the prior season. Perhaps the extended innings, though less than a 25% increase, played into what unfolded during Pineda's first Spring Training with the Yankees in 2012. More on that in a moment.

Meanwhile, Montero got the chance to get his 500+ at-bats in the Major Leagues and an opportunity to catch on a semi-regular basis. While the Mariners limited Montero to 56 games behind the plate, the 22-year old showed potential in the batter's box. He belted 15 home runs and drove in 62 runs in 515 at-bats and struck out 99 times, not a bad total for a rookie. It was accompanied by a .260 batting average and though his OPS of .698 was less than stellar, it still showed promise. It also enraged those Yankees fans who hated the additions Brian Cashman made to the team and the subtraction of Montero from the roster.

That rage got an early start when Pineda showed up to camp overweight and then had to walk off the mound in his last Spring Training start due to tightness in his right shoulder. What was first diagnosed as tendinitis turned out to be a torn labrum that required season ending surgery and put Pineda's future in doubt.

With one-quarter of the 2013 season gone by, quite a bit has changed since the end of the 2012 season. Things have not gone well for Montero. Seattle manager Eric Wedge prefers to use veteran Kelly Shoppach behind the plate and Montero has done poorly with the bat. So poorly, in fact, that the Mariners sent Montero down to Triple-A on Thursday.

Montero has just 3 HR and 9 RBI in 101 at-bats and and just two other extra-base hits. That adds up to a .590 OPS, a number that used to be his slugging pct. alone in the minor leagues. The Mariners hope Montero can recover his stroke and his confidence playing for Triple-A Tacoma.

95-mph...that's what the radar gun read recently for a Pineda fastball at extended Spring Training in Tampa. He's been consistently hitting 93 on the gun and lo and behold, he may start a rehab assignment soon. Potentially, Pineda could be the starter the Yankees might have looked elsewhere for at this year's trade deadline.

A trade that was clearly in Seattle's favor last season, but has now evened out and could swing in the Yankees favor before the year is over.

The Other Guys

Nope, not referring to the Will Ferrell-Mark Wahlberg movie, but the other players that were involved in the Montero-Pineda deal. Jose Campos, a 6'4" right-hander came over with Pineda and had the infamous word "potential" tagged to him as well. Just 19-years old at the time, Campos was 3-0, 4.01 in five starts for the Charleston RiverDogs (Single-A) when he was placed on the 7-day disabled list on May 3 due to discomfort in his right elbow.

Campos ended up missing the entire season, but was able to avoid Tommy John surgery through physical therapy and rest. He's back at Charleston this season, where has made seven starts and a pair of relief appearances. He's struck out 29 batters in 29.2 innings pitched and has a 3.94 ERA and 1.213 WHIP.

Hector Noesi did solid job in the two starts and 28 relief appearances he made for the Yankees in 2011 and the Mariners were counting on him to continue his rise in status on the left coast. Noesi struggled with his control though - 3.3 walks per nine innings - and pitched to a 5.82 ERA in 18 starts and a couple of relief appearances. His strikeouts per nine innings (5.7) also dropped by one and a one-half from the previous season.

Noesi didn't make the Mariners out of Spring Training, but was recalled in mid-April and made four relief apperances before he was sent back down to Tacoma. He was recalled for an emergency spot start against his former club when scheduled starter Aaron Harang was scratched on May 16. Noesi didn't figure in the decision, but came through for the M's when he allowed one unearned in 4.1 innings in an eventual 3-2 Seattle win. He was sent back to Triple-A after the game.

Everybody Hurts...All the Time

"Can someone untie my shoes?"

If REM had been singing about the Yankees the lyric would not have been "Everybody hurts sometimes." The Yankees not only lost a game to Seattle last night 3-2, which caused mental anguish from losing two of three to the Mariners, but Andy Pettitte and Chris Stewart both had to leave the game early.

Pettitte felt spasms in his upper back that wouldn't go away no matter how much he stretched between batters and pitches. He left the game after 4.2 innings pitched and saw his record fall to 4-3. He's already missed one start due to a balky back so there is a definite reason for concern.

His battery mate, Stewart, left the game after he felt pain in his groin running the bases. He went for an MRI and could land on the DL, which presents a problem. There are only three catchers on the 40-man roster - Stewart, Francisco Cervelli already on the DL, and Austine Romine, who has served as Stewart's back up.

Scranton has two catchers- veteran Bobby Wilson (decent glove/no bat, 191 games with the Angels) and Jeff Farnham, a 25-year old that has played just seven games at the Triple-A level. If Wilson were added, someone on the 40-man roster would have to be designated for assignment. It likely would be the end of the line for Ben Francisco, who has just five hits in 40 at-bats.

Pettitte is the bigger concern right now. The Yankees need a healthy, consistent Pettitte taking the mound every five days if they are to compete. The Texan has become much more of an injury risk the last few years. He missed chunks of time with a groin injury in 2010 and a broken ankle last season. It would be no surprise if, at the very least, Pettitte missed his next start.  It's possible Ivan Nova will be ready to rejoin the team by then.

The Mariners also had to deal with an injury last night when Pettitte's opponent, Aaron Harang, was scratched from his start due to a stiff back. Former Yankee Hector Noesi, a piece of the puzzle in the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda deal, stepped in and stepped up. Though he didn't figure in the decision, Noesi limited the Yankees to one unearned run and three hits in 4.1 innings pitched.

Oliver Perez, the former Met, picked up the win after he struck out three batters in 1.1 innings pitched. Mike Morse hit his 10th home run if the season (off of Shawn Kelley) and scored twice. Yankees rookie David Adams picked up his Major League RBI when he doubled home Curtis Granderson in the 2nd inning to tie the game at one apiece.

Robinson Cano singled in a run in the 7th, but couldn't come through in the clutch in the 9th inning against closer Tom Wilhelmsen. Brett Gardner reached first on a single and stole second and third. But with one out and the tying run 90 ft away from home plate, Wilhelmsen struck out Jayson Nix and retired Cano on a game ending ground out.

Baseball Digest | Friday Night Flights: Montero, Pineda Swap Coasts

Shortly before 8 p.m. EST Friday night, you may have heard a blood curdling scream in the New York/Metropolitan area. It came from the lungs (and fingers for those who scream in type) of Yankees fans who had just learned of the trade of the team’s number one prospect, Jesus Montero.

Similar reactions may have been heard on the left coast when Seattle Mariners fans found out their young stud pitcher Michael Pineda was headed east. The Yankees and Mariners have reportedly completed a four player exchange with their young studs as the centerpieces.

As first reported by the Seattle Times’ Larry Stone, the Yankees sent Montero and pitcher Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Pineda and pitcher Jose Campos. Noesi was one of the Yankees promising young starters on the rise, and showed some of his mettle as a reliever at the Major League level last season. Campos is a 19-yr old right-hander with potential (Evaluator John Sickels rated him as the #5 M’s prospect for 2012 and had this to say, “Grade B: We need to see him at higher levels and his secondary stuff needs refinement, but his upside is very high, he throws hard, and already throws strikes.”), but will not have an impact for quite some time.

Clearly this deal was about the Yankees need to boost their starting rotation and the Mariners need for a big bat. After being rebuffed in their attempt to acquire Felix Hernandez, the Yankees went after his young teammate (Pineda will be 23 next week).

Pineda’s rookie season of 2011 saw him finish 9-10, 3.74 with a 1.10 WHIP and 173 strikeouts in 171 innings. The 6’7″, 260 pound native of the Dominican Republic limited AL hitters to a .211 batting average and gave up just 133 hits. He also held right-handed hitters to a .587 OPS with a torrid fastball and nasty slider. According to Fangraphs.com, Pineda averaged 94.7 mph on his fastball, the fourth best mark in the AL.

>Pineda dominated in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field (2.92 ERA in 12 starts) and was much better in the first half before tiring down the stretch. In fact, the Mariners limited his innings per start over the final two months of the season.

With the Yankees lacking pop from the right side, Montero got the call to the bigs in August and produced a .996 OPS in 69 plate appearances. Among Montero’s 17 hits were four home runs and four doubles, and he drove in 17 runs. Montero has good power to the opposite field and averaged 18 home runs in his first four full seasons in the minor leagues. He was nearly dealt to the Mariners at the 2010 trade deadline for Cliff Lee, but Seattle opted to obtain Justin Smoak from Texas instead.

In Montero, the Mariners get a player with 30 home run potential, even if their ballpark is not suited to a hitter’s needs. There were mixed feelings within the Yankees organization as to whether or not the 6’4″ Montero could make it in the Major Leagues as a catcher and that certainly played into the decision to deal him. With 1st base occupied (Mark Teixeira) and the DH slot needed to give the Yankees aging stars (Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, etc.) a rest, there wasn’t much room for Montero to flourish. With Seattle, he’ll get that chance.

Brian Cashman told the Bergen Record’s Bob Klapisch that he believes he took a big gamble. ”I gave up a ton (for Pineda). To me, Montero is Mike Piazza. He’s Miguel Cabrera.” He may have taken a risk, but this deal appears to be a “win-win”, with both teams profiting. It also puts the Yankees back on top as the favorite in the AL East.

Cashman wasn’t done dealing on Friday night though. A short time after the trade was reported, word came that the Yankees and free agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda had agreed to a one year contract, pending a physical, worth $10-11MM. Kuroda was thought to be seeking a $13MM deal.

Kuroda, who turns 36 in February, came over from Japan in 2008 and was 41-46 in four seasons with the LA Dodgers, despite a 3.46 ERA. He’s coming off a 13-16 season with a career low 3.07 ERA and a 3.7 WAR, also tops in his four seasons.

With the two acquisitions, the landscape of the Yankees’ starting rotation changed drastically. Prior to Friday evening, the Yankees five man squad was made up of ace CC Sabathia, 2nd year man Ivan Nova, the erratic A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, and surprise 2011 stand out, Freddy Garcia. Hughes’ immediate future is now up in the air and he could be used as trade bait to bring back a bat. The Yankees would most certainly rather trade Burnett, but the $33MM owed to him is an albatross around Cashman’s neck.

The Yankees would be looking for a short term, low salaried player. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported tonight that Carlos Pena was among the bats that were piquing the Yankees interest.

Yankees sign Hiroki Kuroda too.

Does Joe Girardi Want To Win The Division?

I know more than anyone you need to rest your big guns out of the bullpen, but it seems of late that Joe Girardi is going to lesser in pitchers in high leverage situations (yes that was me actually using a metrics term).

It would seem the Red Sox skid of eight losses in 10 games is influencing how Girardi uses his pen. The Yankees lineup is short and got shorter tonight with injuries, so the games are tight and the Yankees have lost three of them in a row. Scott Proctor, Aaron Laffey, and Luis Ayala combined to lose the latter two. Saturday night down 1-0 in the 7th, Girardi went to Hector Noesi, who has really struggled of late. Moments later it was a 3-0 deficit.

Make that 5-0...Jeff Mathis who can't hit anyone, except the Yankees, just hit a 2-run home run off Noesi.

Go for the division Joe, don't try to back into it.

The Heisey Effect

The Heisenberg Effect states that the "very act of becoming a player changes the game being played". Of course this is in scientific terms. The Heisey Effect states, no shows, that when Chris Heisey hits three home runs in one game the Cincinnati Reds earn a split of a day-night doubleheader with the New York Yankees.

Heisey's heroics helped ruin the second big league start of Brian Gordon and made a rare trainwreck out of Hector Noesi's performance. The Reds 10-2 win avoided a sweep at the hands of the Yankees, who had won the second game of the series earlier in the day, 4-2.

Heisey entered the game with just five home runs on the season, but didn't wait long to hit number six, depositing Gordon's delivery into the left field seats to start the bottom of the 1st inning. Nick Swisher tied the game in the 2nd with an opposite field blast that was just one of the two hits allowed by Johnny Cueto (5-2, 1.63) over seven innings.

Jonny Gomes quickly put the Reds back ahead in the home half of the 2nd with his 9th home runs of the season. In Gordon's fifth and final inning Heisey extended the lead to 4-1 with a 2-run shot. Gordon, whose path to the Majors as a converted outfielder has been well documented, got to bat in a big league game for the first time. He drew a walk in his first appearance, but struck out in his only other at-bat.

Gordon wasn't the only one who had trouble though, as the Yankees managed just four hits on the night, two of them by Alex Rodriguez. Their one chance to get back in the ball game came in the 7th when they were still down three. Rodriguez led off with a single and Swisher followed with a walk. Cueto struck out Russell Martin, but then gave the Yankees a break when he dropped Joey Votto's toss on a Robinson Cano grounder to load the bases.

Cano had pinch-hit for Eduardo Nunez, meaning the Yankees had to let Ramiro Pena bat for himself. The light hitter lightly hit a grounder to Votto, who threw home for the force out. Jorge Posada then pinch-hit for the pitcher's spot, but unlike his heroics earlier in the day, grounded out to end the inning.

The Reds then took Noesi apart with three runs in both the 7th and 8th innings, the latter of which featured Heisey's third blast of the day.

The first game of the day was much different with Freddy Garcia tossing a fairly effortless seven innings to improve to 6-6. With the game tied 2-2 in the 6th, Cano reached on a lead off single against starter Mike Leake and Posada followed with his first home run since April 23, a stretch of 126 at-bats. David Robertson worked the 8th before giving way to Mariano Rivera who picked up his 19th save.

The Yankees had broken a scoreless tie in the 3rd when Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson stroked back to back one out singles and Swisher provided an RBI ground out. Cano followed with a single for 2-0 lead.

The Reds tied the game up with the help of rare sloppy defensive play from Pena, who was playing third base in the first game. Drew Stubbs reached on a Pena throwing error to start the 5th (Had Mark Teixeira been playing first base instead of Jorge Posada, it's likely the ball would not have been out of reach.) Edgar Renteria then singled to put runners on the corners with no one out. What followed was both a physical and mental error by Pena.

Ryan Hanigan hit a chopper to third that likely was not hit hard enough to turn a double play, but Pena should have gotten the sure out at second. Instead he threw a one hopper home that catcher Francisco Cervelli couldn't handle for Pena's second error of the inning. (He would later pick up a third error when a ball when right between his legs.) Leake sacrificed the runners over and Fred Lewis brought in Renteria with the tying run on a deep play to Granderson in center. Garcia wild pitched Hanigan to third, but got Brandon Phillips to fly out to end the inning.

Notes

The Yankees bad baserunning continued in game one. Eduardo Nunez doubled, but was picked off second and was eventually charged with a caught stealing as he attempted to take third.

Prior to the games, the Yankees placed Jeff Marquez on the DL with a sore shoulder and called up Buddy Carlyle.

It's Throw It At The Wall...

...And See If It Sticks Day in the Bronx. The Yankees had "Deja vu all over again" last night, pounding Texas for the second straight night, 12-4, but today should be "interesting". Getting the start is career minor leaguer Brian Gordon.

Gordon is a converted outfielder that has spent 15 seasons in the minor leagues. He has three games of big league experience, ironically, as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2008 (4 IP 0-0, 2.25). Gordon was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh round of the 1997 draft, or one year before Arizona actually started playing as a Major League franchise. He showed promise when he drove in 46 years in 54 rookie league games after finishing up at Round Rock High School in Texas, but moved slowly up the Arizona chain, spending two years each in 'A' and advanced 'A' ball.

After his first season at Triple-A Tucson, Gordon opted for minor league free agency and signed with the then Anaheim Angels. After two years at Triple-A Salt Lake, the 26-yr old Gordon left via free agency again, and signed with the Houston Astros. After another season at the top minor league level, Gordon decided it was time to give pitching a go, something he hadn't done since high school.

Gordon was most recently pitching for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of the International League when he used his opt out clause for a chance to pitch in the Bronx. As in the big leagues. As in starting a Major League game against Texas' C.J. Wilson. No one knows how he'll fare, but GM Brian Cashman figures he has nothing to lose and hopes the low risk gamble works out as well as Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon did for a time.

Hector Noesi will be ready to go whenever Gordon is done.

Back to last night, the Yankees infield went homertastic, with each starter hitting one out of the ball park. Mark Teixeira led the parade with a pair of blasts, Robinson Cano smashed a deep three-run shot, Eduard Nunez celebrated this 24th birthday with a home run, and the third baseman? No it wasn't Alex Rodriguez, who DH'ed. Light hitting Ramiro Pena even got into the act with a home run. August 22, 1939 was the last time the Yankees pulled off the trick - Babe Dahlgren, Joe Gordon, Frankie Crosetti and Red Rolfe hit the home runs.

Teixeira's home runs came from each side of the plate, the 11th such time he had accomplished the feat. In doing so, Teixeira tied the Major League record jointly held by Eddie Murray and Chili Davis.

With left-hander Derek Holland getting the start for Texas Wednesday night, Joe Girardi moved Nick Swisher into the lead off spot. It was the first time Swisher batted in the top spot since he was a member of the White Sox in 2008. Swisher responded with a 1-3 night with two walks and a run scored. He'll be in the top spot again today with Wilson going for Texas.

Per Newsday's Ken Davidoff, to make room for Gordon on the 25-man, Lance Pendleton was optioned to the minors and Amauri Sanit was released to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Gordon isn't the first Yankee this season to opt out of a minor league deal to sign with the Yankees. Reliever Cory Wade excelled for the Dodgers in 2008, but after a shaky 2009 season had not been back in the Major Leagues until last night. After pitching well in the Tampa Bay Rays organization (Triple-A Durham), Wade opted out and signed with the Yankees. He appeared in one game for Scranton before being recalled prior to last night's game. Kevin Whelan was sent down to Scranton to make room on the 25-man roster. Wade pitched a 1-2-3 7th inning and picked up his first Major League strikeout in two years.

Ivan Nova won his sixth game last night, but it was mostly due to run support. The rookie usually pitches well in the early innings, but struggled from the get-go and allowed four runs in 5.2 innings.

Jeter's Rickets Wastes Some Tickets

Pardon the pun. The fact of the matter is there are a number of people who are disappointed right now, because they had tickets for the Texas Rangers series that concludes the Yankees current home stand or bought seats in Chicago or Cincinnati as the Yankees go on the road for interleague play. Their blues became official earlier tonight when Derek Jeter was officially put on the 15-day disabled list with a grade one calf strain. It's Jeter first trip to the DL since his devastating shoulder injury in 2003.

Jeter did his best to talk Brian Cashman and company out of putting him on the DL, but with Jeter needing a minimum of a week to recuperate, the Yankees couldn't afford to be shorthanded when playing without the DH in NL towns. Jeter will be eligible to return during a home series against the Milwaukee Brewers at the end of the month. The Brewers series will be the end of a six game home stand and precedes a three game series with the Mets at Citi Field, now the likeliest place for Jeter to get his 3,000th hit.

Ramiro Pena has taken Jeter's spot on the roster and should serve primarily as a late game defensive replacement for Eduardo Nunez.

Brian Cashman told the press that the Yankees are "leaning" towards using Scranton starter David Phelps on Thursday. It could be for just one start with Hector Noesi or Phil Hughes a possibility after that, though Hughes will likely pitch in Trenton or Scranton before being activated.

The Yankees Report Brought To You By Band-Aids

The Yankees' muscles, bones, and ligaments are getting more hits than the Yankees these days. The Yankees got another great effort from Bartolo Colon Saturday in helping to win their second straight game, 4-0 over Cleveland, but lost Colon in the process due to a hamstring strain. A trip to the DL is inevitable. This could prove to be the biggest injury the Yankees have been hit with season, since aside from CC Sabathia, Colon has been the Yankees best starter.

Let's take stock now. Feliciano and Soriano may never be seen again this season. Chamberlain is done with Tommy John surgery coming up this week. Chavez has been out a month with a broken bone (he might be able to resume baseball activities soon). Martin has missed a bunch of games with a bad back, which has exposed Cervelli's bad throwing ability. Apparently, Sanit joined the walking wounded after his last outing with elbow problems (that's what happens when you throw 500 pitches in an inning).

Phil Hughes is expected to do a rehab stint at Trenton this week and then the Yankees will have to determine if one is enough before he replaces Colon in the rotation (Nova with a big sigh of relief). If Hughes needs more time, Joe Girardi could plug in Hector Noesi, who will be recalled for today's game or the Yankees could give Carlos Silva a shot (I shudder at the thought).

Sore hips and tempers flared up in yesterday's game as well. After Alex Rodriguez homered earlier in the game, Curtis Granderson took Indians starter Mitch Talbot deep in the 6th inning. The next hitter Mark Teixeira nearly missed making it back to back blasts with a deep fly to right-center. That brought up A-Rod again, who promptly got plunked in the left hip for the second time this week. Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna immediately tossed Talbot, who claimed he slipped. Replays didn't really verify that claim though. Whether he did or not Iassogna did a better job than Dale Scott on Friday, who should have immediately tossed Fausto Carmona after he nailed Teixeira in the back following a Granderson home run.

The Yankees need to do something either today or tomorrow to retaliate for A-Rod. The Yankees are being hit by opposing pitchers disproportionately to hitting opposing batters (except maybe when Burnett has one of his "Bad A.J." days).

Notes

With just five games left on the homestand, it's going to be very hard for Derek Jeter to get the nine hits to reach 3,000 while at Yankees Stadium. For sure, he needs a couple of multi-hit games, like now. Jeter's OPS (.656) is even worse in the five games he's DH'ed (.546).

Since asking out of the lineup May 14 with a mysterious back ailment, Jorge Posada has gone 17-52 (.327) and is 9-15 (.600) on the current homestand. He's also had multi-hit games in four of his last five games and has gone 3-4 from the right side after an 0-27 slide to start the season. Of course, he's still making base running mistakes and was picked off second yesterday on a failed bunt attempt.

Curtis Granderson enters Sunday's play tied with Jose Bautista for the AL lead with 20 home runs. Bautista has gone 13 games without a home run, his longest stretch of the season.

Nova May Not Be Long For Rotation

The Yankees brass was already impressed with Ivan Nova when the 24-yr old threw very well in spring training to earn a spot in the starting rotation. But with his recent control issues and number of base runners allowed, Nova may be headed to the bullpen soon, or more likely, Scranton.

Nova's 3.2 inning performance last night against a weak hitting Mariners team did nothing to help his cause. In his last four starts Nova has allowed 30 hits, eight walks, and hit two batters. He's been able to get a key ground ball when he's needed it most of the season, but that has not always been the case in recent starts. And when Nova looks bad, he looks really bad, as was the case last night.

With Phil Hughes throwing/working his way back, Nova is the likely candidate to be removed from the rotation. Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have been much more consistent and reliable. Until Hughes comes back, the Yankees could choose to move Hector Noesi to the rotation, call up Carlos Silva, or make some other move.

You can bet Nova's next start against the Los Angeles Angels Will Carry plenty of weight.

Burnett Passes His First Test, Garcia Up Next

Burnett delivers a curveball for strike three on Wednesday

In a post-game interview with YES' Kim Jones on Wednesday, starter A.J. Burnett was humble and admitted he had a lot of hard work ahead of him before his pitches are ready for prime time.

That being said Burnett did a fine job yesterday in his first appearance of the spring schedule. Facing the Houston Astros in Tampa, Burnett allowed a pair of hits in two scoreless innings and showed off his new modified delivery. He referred to his leg movement as a "swinging gate", something new pitching coach Larry Rothschild has worked with Burnett on during the winter.

Right now Burnett realizes he always has to get used to the new delivery so that he's not thinking about it while he's on the mound, and that's what spring training will take care of.

The Yankees took care of the Astros with a five run 9th inning thanks to poor defense and lack of pitching command by the Astros' kids. Down 5-1, Russell Martin started the inning off by reaching on an error by 3rd baseman Michael Kvasnicka. Dan Brewer followed with a sharp grounder that ate 2up nd baseman Jonathan Villar for a base hit, though it too could have called an error.

Shortstop Jiovanni Miller then got into the act with a throwing error that allowed Martin to score and Brewer to reach third to cut the Astros lead to 5-2. A wild pitch by Doug Arguello allowed another run to score before Melky Mesa's 2-run single tied things up.

Mesa was thrown out stealing for the inning's first out, but Eduardo Nunez hit another sharp grounder through Villar for a base hit and Kevin Russo followed with a walk. Bradley Suttle hit a potential inning ending double play grounder, but Kvasnicka bobbled the ball at third and could only get Suttle at 1st base for the second out.

When Brandon Laird walked to load the bases, former Yankees prospect Lance Pendleton came on to face Martin as the Yankees batted around. Pendleton threw just four pitches, one which could have gone for a strike, and walked in the winning run. It was a no pie walk-walk off 6-5 victory, and a good day all around.

Hector Noesi continued to impress with two scoreless innings; Joba Chamberlain put two men aboard in his one inning of work, but got a double play grounder to escape the jam.

Freddy Garcia will toe the rubber today for the Bombers as they play the Rays in Port Charlotte (1:05 ET). Dellin Betances and Ivan Nova will also be among the hurlers Joe Girardi puts out there today.

Noesi Tosses 7 No-Hit Innings

Charleston RiverDogs pitcher Hector Noesi continued his remarkable 2009 season with seven innings of no-hit ball tonight against the Lexington Legends. The 22-yr old right-hander has not allowed a run in 27.1 innings. Noesi had been suspended 50 games in 2006 for failing a test for performance enhancing drugs.

It was just Noesi's third start in nine appearances, but if he continues to pitch like he did tonight it most certainly won't be his last. Noesi retired the first 19 men he faced before he issued a walk to Andrew Simunic with one out in the 7th inning.

On the season, Noesi has struck out 35 batters, while walking just 3 in 27.1 innings.

Charleston won tonight's contest 3-1 with Pat Venditte earning his 9th save. Venditte has allowed just one earned run in 16.2 innings.


photo courtesy of scout.com