3 Yankees Plus Axford, Bailey, and Hanson Among 43 Non-Tendered

Adams' lack of hits led to lack of a team

43 players will be looking for new organizations after they were non-tendered by their current teams on Monday. Among them are former Milwaukee Brewers closer John Axford, Red Sox reliever and former AL Rookie of the year Andrew Bailey, Blue Jays slugging catcher J.P. Arencibia, and Angels starter Tommy Hanson.

The Yankees did not offer deals to infielder David Adams, untility infielder Jayson Nix, and reliever Matt Daley. Adams was a successful hitter in the minor leauges and the Yankees had been really high on his bat. With all the injuries the Yankees suffered in 2013, Adams got a chance to play in 43 games, but the results were not good.

In 152 plate appearances, the natural second baseman had a slash line of .193/.252./.286. His struggles may have been complicated by the mental and physical acuity needed to learn a new position (third base).

Nix is a hard nosed player, who unfortunately, doesn't have many hits in his bat. The six-year veteran stole 13 bases in 14 attempts and played stellar defense, but posted a .619 OPS. He became expendable when the Yankees signed Brendan Ryan.

Daley was called up from Triple-A Scranton when the Yankees piching staff was beset by injuries. He appeared in seven games, won one, and did not allow a run in six innings pitched.

Below is the complete list of the players that were non-tendered via mlbtraderumors.com

David Adams Yankees
J.P. Arencibia Blue Jays
Scott Atchison Mets
Dylan Axelrod White Sox
John Axford Cardinals
Andrew Bailey Red Sox
Daniel Bard Cubs
Ronald Belisario Dodgers
Mitchell Boggs Rockies
Matt Carson Indians
Tyler Cloyd Indians
Chris Coghlan Marlins
Matt Daley Yankees
Sam Fuld Rays
Eddie Gamboa Orioles
Mat Gamel Cubs
Chris Getz Royals
J.C. Gutierrez Angels
Tommy Hanson Angels
Jeremy Hefner Mets
Daniel Hudson Diamondbacks
Paul Janish Braves
Elliot Johnson Braves
Garrett Jones Pirates
Ryan Kalish Red Sox
Chang-Yong Lim Cubs
Lou Marson Indians
Cristhian Martinez Braves
Michael McKenry Pirates
Kyle McPherson Pirates
Chris Nelson Angels
Jayson Nix Yankees
Xavier Paul Reds
Francisco Peguero Giants
Jason Pridie Orioles
Omar Quintanilla Mets
Derrick Robinson Reds
Sandy Rosario Giants
Justin Turner Mets
Jordany Valdespin Mets
Ryan Webb Marlins
Jerome Williams Angels
Wesley Wright Rays

Yankees Loss of Nix Hurts More Than You Think

There have been a number of players over the years described as scrappy, pesky, or a "real gamer". Sometimes those terms have been used so often, such as describing David Eckstein, that it annoyed fans. It really is said to mean said player does more with less. (Which could  kind of sound like a slight to the player.)

Teams like to include those types of players on their rosters. Guys like Phil Garner, who would run through walls to help his team win a game. Jayson Nix is that type of player and when the Yankees lost him for the season with a broken hand Wednesday night they lost some attitude and grit in their clubhouse.

Don't go quoting Nix's OPS to me to belittle him. Nix is the kind of player whose game isn't necessarily reflected in box scores. His best asset is his versatility; he can play second base, shortstop, and third base. He's also played 22 games in the outfield, mostly on an emergency basis.

Nix has good speed and picks the right times to swipe a base. He was successful in 13 of 14 stolen base attempts this season and is 35 of 44 (79.5%) lifetime. Nix has decent power for a utility infielder - .358 lifetime slugging pct. - and has topped double figures in home runs three times in his MLB career.

Unfortunately for Nix his inability to get on base enough keeps him from seeing more action. His best game as a Yankee might have been the next to last game he evey played for them. In Tuesday night's come from behind win against the Toronto Blue Jays, Nix tied the game in the 7th inning with a solo home run and then provided a walk off single in the bottom of the 9th. (He also went 1-2 with two walks and two runs scored in the day portion of Tuesday night's day/night twinbill.

Nix got to the plate just once against Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey on Wednesday night. Unfortunately it wasn’t a softer knuckleball, but an 80-mph fastball that bore in on Nix, leaving him and his left hand no room to escape. He stayed in the game, but only momentarily before he told first base coach Mick Kelleher that he was in pain. Nix's hand appeared to be already swollen when television cameras zoomed in for a closer look.

Ironically, Nix probably would have been out of a job in the next week with Derek Jeter starting another rehab assignment with Scranton on Thursday evening. If he heals properly Nix would be able to rejoin the Yankees after the MLB rosters expand on September 1. Until then you'll just have to hold your breath every time a ball is hit to Eduardo Nunez or Mark Reynolds on the left side of the infield.

It's a Wrap - Yankees Sign Reynolds

The ball is ticketed for the catcher's mitt or the left field fence.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman the Yankees have signed the all or nothing Mark Reynolds to share first base with Lyle Overbay, fill in some for Alex Rodriguez at third base (Reynolds is an awful third baseman), do some DH'ing, hit some home runs and strike out a lot.¹

Reynolds burst on to the scene in 2008 with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he hit 28 home runs and struck out 204 times. He topped both the totals the following season when he banged out 44 home runs and struck out a ridiculous 223 times.

More of the same followed after he was dealt to Baltimore prior to the 2011 season. Reynold's OPS made up for his strikeout totals during the 2007-2012 stretch, but he went downhill this season with the Cleveland Indians.

A .215/.307/.373 slash line meant Reynolds was not going to finish out the one year free agent contract he signed with the Tribe this past off-season. He was even worse since the beginning of June, posting a paltry .484 OPS. The Yankees hope that he can help against left-handers, since the right-handed hitter had a .745 OPS against them.

Yes, this is the move of a desperate Brian Cashman, just as most of the Yankees moves have been this year.

No corresponding 25- or 40-man roster move has been made yet though it's likely that either Luis Cruiz (sprained right knee), Travis Hafner (strained right rotator cuff), or Zoilo Almonte (sprained left ankle) could be moved from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.

A bigger question is where does Reynolds fit on the 25-man roster. Jayson Nix is a hard nosed, scrappy player, but his .591 OPS makes him expendable. Otherwise the Yankees would have to reduce their pitching staff from 13 to 12, probably at the expense of Preston Claiborne or David Huff, who was just recalled earlier on Thursday.





1 - CBSSports.com

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.

Soriano Agreeable, Jeter Expects to Play

Alfonso Soriano may become a Yankee again after all. Soriano reportedly gave Cubs GM Theo Epstein a list of six teams he would be willing to waive his no trade clause for. The Yankees are said to be on the list. It was originally reported that the Yankees and Cubs were close to a deal, but those reports were premature.  The biggest hold up of any trade between two of baseball's oldest franchises is to reach an agreement on who will pay the bulk of Soriano's $18MM salary next season and the remainder of the $18MM he's owed this season.

The more the Cubs pay the better prospect they'll want in return. Transversely, the Yankees will deal a lesser prospect to Cubs if they take on more of the financial responsibility.  The Yankees desperately needed some punch in the lineup as evidenced again in last night’s 3-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. In particular they need a right-handed bat and some protection in the lineup for Robinson Cano. Soriano could fill both those needs.

Derek Jeter is hoping he can help the lineup out this weekend in a big series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Jeter has hit, run and fielded, and feels good. But you know the Yankees are going to be cautious after Jeter injured his quad in his first game of the season two weeks ago. It was the second time this season that a Yankees player was put on the DL after he returned from the DL or a rest to be placed right back on the DL. (Kevin Youkilis aggravated his back after a week's rest, played, and was immediately placed on the DL.)

David Phelps started for the Trenton Thunder on Tuesday and looked rusty according to The Times' John Nalbone. Phelps tossed 3.2 innings, walked three and struck out six. It remains to be seen whether he'll return to the rotation or go back to the bullpen.

Curtis Granderson and Jayson Nix will be playing for the Tampa Yankees today and probably will remain there through the weekend. Nix had been on a rehab gig in the Gulf Coast League.

The Yankees Not So Hot Corner

The punch-less Yankees dropped another game in the AL East standings Tuesday night. A game that could have been won had the Yankees' lineup been able to produce more than a single run in a 3-1 loss to the KC Royals.

Royals' starter James Shields, aka "Big Game James" has not had much success against the Yankees and struggled in the early going. The Yankees had two on and none out, and the bases loaded and one out and only scored one run. Shields and the pen then shut down the Yankees the rest of the way. Monday night's 5-1 loss in the first game of the four game set came after the Yankees had the bases loaded with no one out in the 9th and then struck out three straight times. With all the pitchers they let off the hook the Yankees should never take up fishing.

In Tuesday's piece, "Shortstop, Catchers and Pitchers, Oh My, I wrote about the need for the Yankees to upgrade at catcher. Today I am going to focus on the infield, particularly the corner position that has been anything other than hot for the Yankees this season.

Third base has been a key position for the Yankees over the years. Gil McDougald won the AL Rookie of the Year Award after he manned the position in 1951. Graig Nettles won two World Series rings (1977-1978) against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will attest to Nettles' remarkable thievery with his glove. Alex Rodriguez won two AL MVP Awards after his shift to New York and a new position. The Yankees would not have won the 2009 World Series if not for the player who should really be known as "Lightning-Rod".

A-Rod's second hip surgery knocked him out of play for the first half of the 2013 season and a PED suspension could wipe out the second half. Kevin Youkilis was signed to take his place, but played just 28 games before he was lost to season ending back surgery. The Yankees replacements have contributed decent defense, but the offense has been anemic.

David Adams, Alberto Gonzalez, Jayson Nix, Chris Nelson, and Luis Cruiz have combined to go 53-247 (.215) with 2 HR (both by Adams) and 18 RBI when they played third base. Only Nix (.620) has an OPS above .600 at third and that number is nothing to write home (or text) about. The combination of poor hitting veterans and rookies is not enough with the uncertainty surrounding A-Rod's future. The Yankees need to get themselves a third baseman.

Just as is the case with catchers, the Yankees don't have anyone at the minor league level to play in the Majors right now. Ronnier Mustelier made a very good showing in Spring Training, but has missed large chunks of time with knee and groin injuries.

So who might be available? And would the Yankees want them?

Michael Young: He's the first option for teams looking for a utility guy or someone to specifically play either corner spot or second base. (His days at shortstop are long behind him.) Young has bounced all around the infield in his career until the Texas Rangers, who he spent 13 seasons with, finally forced him out. The 36-year old looked like he might be finished after he produced a sub-.600 OPS in May, but he's been above .800 the rest of the season. He could also give Lyle Overbay a rest across the infield now and then.

With one of the two wild card positions still in their sites, the Phillies are reportedly hesitant to move the pending free agent at this time. That could change as the trade deadline nears.

Aramis Ramirez: The 35-year old has hit less than 20 home runs just once since 2003 and averaged 26 home runs and 93 RBI over the last three seasons. So much for the good news; Ramirez was placed on the disabled list on Tuesday for the third time this season with a bad left knee. He is also guaranteed $16MM next year and has a $14MM mutual option/$4MM buyout for 2015. Fuh-geddabout it.

Ty Wigginton: Like Young, Wigginton is more of a utility player at this point of his career rather than a player who is settled in at one position. He's also unemployed after being released by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals owe him the remainder of the $2.5MM he's making this season plus another $2.5MM he is due in 2014. The Yankees could sign him for a minimal amount this season (The amount would be subtracted from the Cardinals' debt), but should they?  Wigginton had a sub-.500 OPS and 34 of his 57 at-bats came as a pinch-hitter. If they're interested the Yankees would be better off signing him to a minor league deal with a deadline date where he can asked to be released if he is not called up. That way he can get some regular at-bats before facing Major League pitching. With all that said, I would pass on him.

Mark Reynolds: Mash or miss, that's been Reynolds unwritten motto since his debut in 2007. He's currently on a one year deal with the Cleveland Indians for $6MM and has split time between first and third. He might be available even though the Tribe is in the thick of the AL Central race, because he hasn't produced on a consistent basis. Reynolds has homered in 4.3% of his at-bats, the second lowest percentage since his rookie season. His .700 OPS is the lowest of his career as is his .392 slugging pct. Oh, and he's a butcher defensively at third base.

Wait, the idea was to find a player that would fit. There's the problem. There isn't a whole lot to choose from.

Chase Headley: He became a household name last year and since that time Yankees fans have been calling into radio shows to say the Yankees should go after him. Those fans haven't bothered to notice what Headley is doing this season nor have they taken a look at what he did before last season. Headley's 2012 campaign produced career highs in almost every offensive category.

He had never hit more than 12 home runs or driven in more than 58 runs in a season until he put up 31 and an NL leading 115 last year. 2012 was the first season Headley had an OPS over .800 as well. Headley has come crashing back to earth in 2013. He has just 7 HR and 29 RBI in 77 games and is sporting a career worst .681 OPS. More importantly why would the Padres deal him now? 1) He has no trade value at the moment. 2) The Padres had been trying to give Headley an extension until he asked them to stop negotiations in May, because he felt it was a distraction. So it appears they would like to keep him.

Chris Johnson: The Atlanta Braves 28-year old has provided the NL East leaders with some big at-bats this season. Johnson is with his third team in three seasons, but has a slash line of .332/.375/.480 in 269 plate appearances this year. As an added bonus, he's not eligible for free agency until 2017. Since he has been a key contributor it is possible Atlanta has no plans to move him, but perhaps the Braves would like to add some depth to their bullpen with a guy named Joba Chamberlain. Throw in a mid-level prospect too or perhaps they would like to take a chance on one time prospect Fernando Martinez.

Abbott and Costello were right. "I don't know....Third base!"

Tomorrow I take a look at the rotation and bullpen.

This Is Your Captain, I am Ready For Lift Off

Scranton, PA, the home of the Triple-A Scranton RailRiders is going to have a little extra excitment this July 4th weekend. Nope, not more fireworks, just the captain of the New York Yankees checking into town.

Derek Sanderson Jeter has gotten the go ahead from the Yankees team docs to start a rehab assignment. El Capitan is expected to play at least five innings in the field during Saturday night's game.

During prep for this season, Jeter fractured a different area of his ankle then where the break occurred that knocked him out of last season's playoffs.. I admit it seems kind of odd that someone that just started to run the bases the other day would start a rehab assignment already (or already in my estimation.), but this is very good news.

Here's to the Yankees' captain staying healthy for the rest of the season and replacing whatever .190 hitter is at shortstop in the meantime.

Yuke, We Hardly Knew Ye; Tex Returns to DL

The saying goes that things will get worse before they get better. According to the YES Network's Meredith Marakovits the cliche applies to Kevin Youkilis. The first year Yankee and former Red and White Sox third baseman was recently placed on the DL a second time this season due to a bad back. Now word is that Youkilis has a bulging disc that requires surgery and will be out 10-12 weeks.

In other words, you aren't seeing Kevin Youkilis in a Yankees uniform again. In the revolving Yankees soap opera, Youkilis was brought in to replace the injured Alex Rodriguez, who will probably replace the injured Youkilis. Unless Bud Selig intervenes. Either way, Youkilis is done.

The chrome domed Youkilis got off to a good start for the Yankees and had a .977 OPS after a dozen games. A 1-15 skid followed as did a week off due to his balky back. He thought he was well enough to return on April 27, but after an 0-3 afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays, Youkilis was placed on the 15-day DL. He wouldn't return to the Majors until a month later.

Youkilis lasted just 11 games and was 6-41 at the plate before his back landed him back on the DL. He should be on the 60-Day DL in short order to open some room on the 40-man roster.

If this is it for Youkilis' Yankees career, it lasted 28 games with a .219/.305/.343 split and $12MM in earnings. His surgery is scheduled for this Thursday. Brian Cashman stated that David Adams, Reid Brignac, and Jayson Nix will continue to split playing time at the hot corner for the time being. (Again I say, Ronnier Mustelier!)

The news comes on the heels of the announcement that Mark Teixeira is also back on the DL due to his painful right wrist. Pitcher Adam Warren was recalled to take his place on the roster. Hitting coach Kevin Long didn't think Teixeira's wrist "has been right" from the moment he returned from the DL on May 31, the same day Youkilis came back. Cashman was not happy that Long mentioned it to reporters, but had not told anyone before that. I'm sure there will be a heartfelt talk (aka yellfest, at the very least, between Cashman and Long.

Lyle Overbay will resume his duties as the every day first baseman.

Yankees Acquire Reid Brignac from Rockies

The revolving door continues in the Bronx..Jon Heyman reports that.utility infielder Reid Brignac has been acquired by the Yankees for cash considerations.  Alberto Gonzalez, reacquired on May 9, was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Brignac was once considered a solid prospect as he climbed the ladder of the Tampa Bay Rays organization, but his bat never caught up to his glove. He played parts of five seasons with the Rays with the 2010 campaign his Major League best. He hit 8 HR and drove in 45 in 326 plate appearances, but his .692 OPS was less than stellar.

Brignac stock fell drastically after that when he was beset with injuries and put up a .448 OPS in 2011. The Rays shipped him to Colorado prior to this season for cash or a player to be named later. His slash line of .250/.294/.375 made him expendable.

The highlight of Gonzalez's brief second stint in New York was the chance to take the mound. He retired the one batter he faced when the Seattle Mariners drubbed the Yankees on Wednesday.

A-Rod Florida Bound For the Next Step

A-Rod is the true Johnny Drama

Alex Rodriguez took another step towards returning to the active roster in July when he arrived in Florida for  the start of "baseball activities". There are no details as of yet as far as what the baseball activities will include. Hopefully nothing illegal.

The Yankees controversial third baseman has been out all year after he underwent left hip surgery in January. A-Rod had been rehabbing the injury in New York and though he was not introduced to the fans, sat in the Yankees dugout on Opening Day.

A-Rod will have to continue to rehab his image as well after he was implicated as a customer of a Florida based anti-aging clinic that was a front for the sale of steroids. Major League Baseball is still investigating who may have been involved.

Nunez hurting again

The MRI on Eduardo Nunez's rib cage came back negative, but the Yankees shortstop said he "can't move". With an off day Monday prior to a three game series in Colorado, the Yankees have time to decide whether or not to bring another position player up from the minor leagues.

Should Nunez not be able to make a go of it, Jayson Nix would start at shortstop and former Rockies infielder Chris Nelson would get the start at third base. If Nunez is to be DL'ed, the Yankees could recall Corban Joseph, who got the nod when Kevin Youkilis first went on the DL or 33-year old veteran shortstop Gil Velazquez. In his first season in the organization, Velazquez is hitting just .197 for Scranton, but has seen regular playing time at shortstop. His recall would force a move on the 40-man roster as well. (David Adams cannot be recalled until May 15.)

The Yankees could also look for another veteran infielder as they did with Nelson. (This could be even more important the longer Derek Jeter is out of the lineup.) Nunez has missed time  in two separate incidents this season after he was hit by a pitch.

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.

After the Break, Jeter Not Back Before the Break........

The Yankees rallied for a second straight night against the Arizona Diamondbacks before they fell short in extra innings, 6-2 Thursday night. Derek Jeter rallied from a broken ankle in last year's ALCS, but his comeback fell short of the 2013 season opener in the Bronx.

A setback scratched that goal and another setback - a new fracture found in his left ankle - will now keep the Yankees captain out until after the All-Star break in July. It makes for a sticky situation for the team and for Jeter.

In the final year of the guaranteed portion of his contract, Jeter holds an $8MM option for 2014. Coming off a fabulous regular season last year, my thought was that Jeter would turn down the option after the 2013 season and then would seek another 2-3 year contract. That all changed last October when his ankle betrayed him.  Ankles are always slow to heal, but ankles that will be 39 years old in July are even slower to recover.

If Jeter returns in July and has a big second half and the Yankees are successful (a word whose meaning is different depending on who you talk to), Jeter may still toss aside the option. If he plays poorly, only partially, or not at all, he most certainly will exercise the option. It would be hard to imagine retirement as another option, unless Jeter felt he could no longer compete at the level he expects himself to or he's no longer the Yankees every day shortstop.

That is the really big elephant in the room. Will Jeter's ankle be able to withstand the stress of playing shortstop? How much range will he have lost? Jeter is a leader, not the guy who sits in the back of the classroom hoping the teacher doesn't call on him. If he's told he will no longer be the every day shortstop next year or the shortstop at all, Jeter could put on a uniform that doesn't have an interocking N and Y on it.

It's hard to imagine and awful to think about. We don't know how close Jeter came to that actually happening when he was a free agent after the 2010 season. We all know he was not happy with the way negotiations went. I don't think he would play elsewhere for one year or more, but others have done it before him and not just in baseball. (Michael Jordan springs to mind.)

First things first though, the Yankees need Jeter to heal and his play to be at a significant level. Until then it's up to Eduardo Nunez and Jayson Nix (or someone yet to be determined) to hold the fort down.

Yankees Can't Count On The Captain

Derek Jeter wanted to be ready for Opening Day, but a setback during the Spring Training rehab of his left ankle ended hopes of that.  The next goal was May 1, but according to manager Joe Girardi that date is no longer possible.

From ESPN.com: "[Early May] was a date that was thrown out there," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "The easiest way for me to say it is he will be back when he is back -- when he can physically do it on an everyday basis, and I don't think any of us will know the exact date until we go through some trial and error.

"He is not ready to play in games. I don't think they necessarily have an exact date where they know he is going to play in games. We'll just go day by day and see how he feels."

Eduardo Nunez and Jayson Nix will continue to hold down the fort for now.

Kuroda Gem Gives Yankees First Home Series Win

Hiroki Kuroda punches the air after punching out Chris Davis.
(photo courtesy of AP) 

When the Yankees signed Hiroki Kuroda prior to the 2012 season they were hoping to get a pitcher to give them innings, keep them in the ball game, and win more times than not. They not only got all they expected, but much more when Kuroda was their best and most consistent starter for the 2012 season.

Kuroda came into Sunday night's game on the heels of two dubious starts. He took a liner off his finger tip in the second game of the season against Boston, and though he beat Cleveland this past Monday, he still wasn't sharp.

That all changed in front of a national television audience Sunday night against division rival Baltimore. Kuroda dominated the Orioles in a 3-0 shutout that raised the Yankees record to 6-5. The win gave the Yankees two straight series victories and their first one at home.  Kuroda was in control throughout and was pushed to 113 pitches (79 strikes) only because Jayson Nix committed a 9th inning error. With Mariano Rivera loosening in the bullpen, Kuroda struck out Chris Davis for the third time to end the game.

The game itself was reminiscent of last year's wild card series when neither team could hit their way out of a paper bag. Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen was setting down the Yankees with ease until the 5th inning when Brennan Boesch led off with one of his two singles on the night. He moved to second base on Francisco Cervelli's single and then over to third base on a fly out by Lyle Overbay.

Nix made small ball pay off when he lifted a deep fly to right for a ribbie sac fly and a 1-0 lead. Brett Gardner then powered up as much as he can and hit his second home run of the year near the top of the right field foul pole.

That was plenty for Kuroda, whose detractors said would be unable to compete in the AL East. They could not have been more wrong. He limited the O's to five hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out five. He gave the Yankees innings, kept them in the game, and won. Mission accomplished.

The Jeter-less, Swishful Game 2 lineup

I had to see it with my own two eyes, but indeed Derek Jeter is not in the post-season lineup for the first time...EVER. And unfortunately Nick Swisher still is.

LF Ichiro Suzuki
2B Robinson Cano
1B Mark Teixeira
DH Raul Ibanez
   C Russell Martin
3B Alex Rodriguez
CF Curtis Granderson
RF Nick Swisher
SS Jayson Nix

Hiroki Kuroda will be on the hill and has to be at his best. There's no room for error when your team doesn't hit.

As expected, Eduardo Nunez was placed on the roster to replace Jeter.

Jayson Gets Big Hit Just in the Nix of Time

Nix's game winner - courtesy of greenwichtime.com

The Yankees were this close to a miserable 1-6 West Coast swing against the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners, but Jayson Nix delivered a go ahead 3-run double in the 8th inning and the Yankees topped the Mariners 5-2 Wednesday afternoon.

Unless GM Brian Cashman pulls off a deal for another asset, Nix and Eric Chavez will be looked upon to provide production at third base in light of Alex Rodriguez's broken hand. Nix entered the game hitting just .235 with 7 RBI, and faced a bases loaded situation after Josh Kinney hit Derek Jeter to start the 8th and Lucas Luetge gave up back to back singles to Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira.

Curtis Granderson fouled out before Joe Girardi sent Nix up to pinch-hit for Raul Ibanez. Seattle manager Eric Wedge countered with right-hander Shawn Kelley, but Nix ripped a ball up the alley in left-center field to clear the bases. Russell Martin added an RBI single later in the inning for some insurance, but Nix's hit was huge for a player who entered the game just 1-9 with runners in scoring position.

Yankees starter Ivan Nova struggled his way through five innings and walked a career high six hitters. The final two free passes started the 6th inning and ended Nova's day. The Yankees bullpen was outstanding once again though as Clay Rapada, David Phelps, and David Robertson combined for three scoreless innings as a bridge to Rafael Soriano.


The Yankees' closer allowed a 2-out single in the 9th, but struck out Ichiro's replacement, Carlos Peguero, to end the game.


Notes

Utility Infielder Ramiro Pena was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take A-Rod's spot on the roster.

Derek Jeter (twice), A-Rod, and Ichiro were all hit by pitches in the last two games, but no Yankees pitcher retaliated. Felix Hernandez, who through the pitch that broke A-Rod's hand, said after Tuesday night's game that he "felt bad" about what happened. Hernandez does not have a reputation of a hitting batters.

David Phelps picked up his second victory of the season and struck out two batters to give him 51 K's in 46.2 innings pitched.

With A-Rod out of the lineup, Girardi moved Ichiro in the lead off spot and slipped Jeter back into his old number 2 hole.

Jesus Montero had to feel pretty good about himself after throwing out Ichiro when his former teammate tried to steal second base in the 5th inning.

Gardner Runs Out of Time

Unfortunately, you could see it coming- Brett Gardner is lost for the season.

The Yankees announced that Gardner will undergo season ending surgery to repair inflamed tissue in his balky right elbow. Gardner injured the arm when he made a diving sliding catch against the Twins back on April 18.

The soon-to-be 29-year old outfielder tried to rehab the injury several times, but felt continued pain each time.  The latest MRI showed the inflammation and the Yankees team of doctors decided it was time for Gardner to go under the knife.

No word if Gardner could possibly be back for the playoffs. Unless Brian Cashman makes a deal or someone like Chris Dickerson is recalled from the minors, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Nix, Dewayne Wise, and Andruw Jones will continue to split time in left field.

Nunez Bobbles His Way To The Minors

One might expect that Eduardo Nunez would take extra fielding practice, maybe DH, sit on the pines a bit until he got his erroneous fielding in order. But the Yankees took one step further and sent him to the minor leagues today.

It's actually a smart move. While Nunez brings speed to the Yankees lineup, he has six stolen bases, his penchant for making errors for outweighs and offense he can bring to the lineup. In last night's 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, Nunez made a pair of errors that led to two unearned runs charged to starting pitcher CC Sabathia.

With Eric Chavez ready to be activated from the 7-day concussion DL, a roster move had to be made and Nunez turned out to be the marked man. This could also mean another move is in the works though since the Yankees do not have a true back up for shortstop Derek Jeter.

Veteran utility man Jayson Nix has played just 17 games at shortstop, while Chavez played five games at the position in his early/healthier days in Oakland. Empire State (formerly Scranton) Yankees' shortstops Ramiro Pena and Doug Bernier are both currently on the minor league DL while fill in infielder Yadi Mujica has played just nine games above Double-A..