Crasnick: Mitre To The Brewers

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick is reporting (tweeting actually) via a source that the Yankees have dealth Sergio Mitre to the Milwaukee Brewers, thus ending Joe Girardi's love affair with him.

This could mean that the Yankees will give Freddy Garcia the long man role for now as they sort out the Colon, Garcia, and possibly, Millwood situation.

More later.

11:50 AM EDT Update: Mitre has indeed been dealt to the Brewers for outfielder Chris Dickerson. The 29 yr-old gives the Yankees some depth at Scranton; he played two-plus seasons for the Reds before being dealt to Milwaukee for Jim Edmonds last season. Dickerson was actually drafted in the 32nd round by the Yankees in 2000, but did not sign.

BD Hot Stove Breaking News: Pettitte To Call It Quits | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove Breaking News: Pettitte To Call It Quits | Baseball Digest

Michael Kay of the YES Network and 1050ESPN radio announced this morning that Andy Pettitte intends to officially retire tomorrow (Friday) after 16 seasons in the major leagues.

Since Pettitte’s return to New York prior to the 2007 season, he’s taken his time each off season to decide whether or not to return the following season. Since the 2010 season ended, Pettitte seemed to be heavily leaning towards calling it quits. Conversations with manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman gave every indication that the chances of Pettitte’s return for 2011 was less than 50%.

Pettitte finishes his career with a 240-138, 3.88 mark after playing in New York from 1995-2005, followed by three seasons in front of his hometown crowd in Houston, Texas, and a return to New York in 2007. His four years back in the Bronx included his 5th World Series ring in 2009.

Pettitte finishes with 203 wins as a Yankee, trailing only Whitey Ford (236) and Red Ruffing (231) in franchise history. His 1,823 strikeouts were 133 behind the franchise leader Ford. His overall numbers and post-season success make him a viable Hall of Fame candidate, but his admitted use of HGH will probably keep him from being seriously considered.

Pettitte’s retirement also means the Yankees only have three guaranteed spots in their rotation- CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, and A.J. Burnett. The final two spots will be determined in spring training. Among the candidates are Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Sergio Mitre, any and all prospects, and whomever the Yankees can sign between now and opening day.

We wish you the best in retirement Andy Pettitte. You always carried yourself with class even when you proved you were human.

Moseley, Aceves Kicked To The Curb

Sergio Mitre may have received a one year, $900K deal, but Dustin Moseley and Al Aceves won't be joining him.

Both pitchers were non-tendered this afternoon. Aceves was already off to a bad start for the 2011 season after breaking his clavicle in a bicycle accident in Mexico. He missed almost all of the 2010 season with a bad back.

Moseley was brought up by the Yankees in July to prevent him from becoming a free agent. After some initial success he finished the season 4-4, 4.69 in 16 appearances (nine of them starts).

Pettitte Likely Headed To DL

The Yankees series win over the Rays was tempered a bit by the news that Andy Pettitte is likely head to the DL with a groin strain.

Pettitte felt something awry in the 3rd inning of today's game and left after consulting with Joe Girardi and trainer Gene Monahan. An MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain and though Girardi is taking a wait-and-see attitude, he also feels Pettitte is likely to be DLed.

The Yankees choices for the rotation include Sergio Mitre, Dustin Moseley, and Chad Gaudin among the current Yankees and Ivan Nova in Scranton. Though he's on the same pitching schedule as Pettitte, it is very unlikely that the Yankees would call up Nova's teammate and prospect David Phelps, who started the season at Double-A Trenton.

Update 9:55 pm - Brian Cashman told the media that Andy Pettitte is expected to miss 4-5 weeks. For now, Sergio Mitre will take Pettitte's spot in the rotation.

Yankees Doctor Up Halladay

It was a pitching match up the media and fans love and hitters hate. The Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies began a three game series at the Stadium tonight with aces CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay squaring off on the mound. Some things just don't live up to the hype. The Yankees hit three home runs and sent Halladay to the showers after six innings en route to an 8-3 win.

The Yankees had already put two runs on the board in the 2nd inning on a Brett Gardner triple and contined to slap the good doctor around in the third. Curtis Granderson made it a 3-0 game with a line drive home run to right. Three batters later, Nick Swisher hit one to the Bleachers Creatures with a man aboard for a 5-0 advantage.

The Phillies nearly came all the way back against Sabathia in the 4th. After dominating through the first three innings - including six strikeouts - the big man struggled with the lead.

The Phils loaded the bases on a pair of bouncers through the middle and a hit batter before Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez produced RBI singles. Ben Francisco bounced into a force out to cut the lead to 5-3 and the Phillies had the tying runs in scoring position with one out. But Sabathia struck out Juan Castro and induced an inning ending ground out from Carlos Ruiz.

The Yankees got their final run off Halladay in the 6th when Mark Teixeira went deep for just the second time in the last 13 games. The three homes run allowed by Halladay matched the total he had allowed for the year thus far and the most home runs the Yankees had hit in a single game against the right-hander.

Sabathia regrouped and gave the Yankees seven solid innings and Francisco Cervelli helped put the game away with a 2-run single in the 7th.

Notes

Prior to the game, Sergio Mitre was placed on the 15-day DL with a side injury. Boone Logan was recalled from Scranton to take his spot on the roster.

Phillies' shortstop Jimmy Rollins played his first minor league rehab game tonight.

Alex Rodriguez sat out again, but hopes to play on Wednesday.

Long and Winding Road

It wasn't a spectacular road trip for the New York Yankees (3-4), but considering the number of injuries that affected the team, it wasn't all that bad either.

Obviously after taking 2 of 3 in Boston, losing 3 of 4 in Detroit was a letdown. But considering that Sergio Mitre and a struggling Javier Vazquez were penned in for starts, one could argue that the Bombers shouldn't have expected to do more than split with their Motown opponents. As it turned out Vazquez was very good, while ace CC Sabathia struggled.

The Yankees offense hit a slump in Tiger town, virtually disappearing save for one inning in the third game. Considering the number of at-bats given to Ramiro Pena, Marcus Thames, Randy Winn, Greg Golston, and Juan Miranda, that's not all that surprising either. Throw in a slumping Derek Jeter (5-43), and a banged up Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada, and you see what I'm getting at.

The season is a series of highs and lows. The Yankees offense is certainly riding one of those lows right now. There's absolutely nothing wrong with losing to Jon Lester and Justin Verlander, but not being able to muster offense against the likes of Jeremy Bonderman and Emilio Bonine is another matter.

The Yankees open a three game series with the Minnesota Twins tonight and the pitching won't be getting any easier. Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, and Nick Blackburn are scheduled to go for the Twins this weekend.

Look more more at-bats for Miranda, who should supplant some of both Winn's and Thames' at-bats. In fact, Joe Girardi opted for Thames over Winn in left field tonight against the right-handed throwing Baker. It hurts the Yankees defensively, but Girardi is clearly looking to add some punch.

Swisher returns to the lineup tonight after sitting out the finale in Detroit with a sore bicep. Francisco Cervelli gets the call at catcher, so Jorge Posada gets the day time duty on Saturday and the task of facing the left-handed Liriano.

Getting back to the Tigers' series- another spectacular performance by Phil Hughes on Wednesday night. He's rounded into the pitcher that the Yankees had always hoped he would be. The guy that the hype was all about.

Hughes' mid-90s fastball, mixed with his change and curve have been out and out dominant. He's the first Yankees pitcher since Bob Turley in 1958 to go 5-0 and have a sub-1.50 ERA after 6 starts.

Mitre vs. Halladay

Probably a good night to watch last season's finale of NCIS.

Okay we originally had this as Gaudin vs. Halladay, but the paper was wrong. However, the sentiment remains.

Yankees Pound White Sox

Yankees Pound White Sox
Baseball Digest Recap

Prior to the 2003 season, the Yankees were involved in a big bidding war with the Boston Red Sox for the services of Cuban defector Jose Contreras. The Yankees ultimately won that battle, but in the long run Contreras was a bad signing. The Yankees got a little revenge yesterday, pounding the now Chicago White Sox pitcher en route to a 10-0 Yankees victory.

The game also marked the finest performance this season by Sergio Mitre since his recall by the big club back on July 21. He retired the first 13 White Sox to start the game and allowed just one hit over 6 1/3 innings, before being forced to depart when a line drive off the bat of A.J. Pierzynski struck his right forearm. For now, Mitre will be considered day-to-day after the imprint of the baseball was clearly visible on his arm.

The Yankees offense gave Mitre plenty of support early and often. Consecutive base hits by Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, and Jerry Hairston Jr. (2 RBI), starting in place of Melky Cabrera, put the Bombers up 2-0 in the 2nd inning. A walk to Jose Molina and a sac bunt by Derek Jeter set things up for Johnny Damon, who delivered both runners with a double for a 4-0 Yankees advantage.

The Yankees continued the onslaught in the 4th with another four-run outburst. Jeter singled to start the frame and Damon reached on an error by Jayson Nix that allowed both runners to move into scoring position. An Alex Rodriguez single and a Hideki Matsui double extended the lead to 6-0 and sent Contreras to the showers. Swisher greeted D.J. Carrasco with an RBI single and Cano brought the final run home with a productive ground out.

Mitre cruised through the first four innings, his slider working as effectively as it ever had, and recording five ground ball outs plus a pair of strikeouts. Rodriguez temporarily kept the perfect game going when he dove to his right to snare Paul Konerko's grounder and threw out the White Sox 1st baseman to start the 5th inning. But DH Jim Thome ripped a line drive past Mark Teixeira to break up the no-no and perfect game in one swing of the bat.

Mitre walked Brent Lillibridge to open the 7th before Pierzynski's ball ricocheted off Mitre's arm and went behind the mound. Before feeling the pain, the Yankees starter tracked the ball down and threw out the White Sox catcher at 1st base for the inning's first out. Trainer Gene Monahan and manager Joe Girardi quickly came to the mound and immediately got Mitre out of there once they saw the swelling that had begun. The White Sox wouldn't benefit from Mitre's removal though, as Chad Gaudin came on and allowed just one walk in 2 2/3 innings while striking out four.


Game Notes

Alex Rodriguez belted his 23rd home run of the season in the 8th inning for the game's final tally. It was home run #576 for his career, putting him 7 behind Mark McGwire for 8th place on the all-time list.

Derek Jeter had his 7th 3-hit game of the month and his 14th multi-hit game. He's now 13 hits shy of tying Lou Gehrig's franchise record.

Joba Chamberlain goes in the series finale this afternoon (1 P.M. ET) as the Yankees go for the series sweep. Girardi would not reveal if Chamberlain was on a pitch count as has been rumored. Freddy Garcia makes his third start of the season for the White Sox.

Yankees Pen Dominates M's in Win

Yankees Strike Out Mariners Hopes

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Alex Rodriguez • Derek Jeter • Ichiro • jose lopez • Luke French • mariano rivera • nick swisher • Sergio Mitre • Yankees 8/15 recap • Yankees vs. Mariners

The Yankees pitching has been outstanding last since the All-Star break and it continued last night as the Yankees won their 5th straight, 5-2, over the Seattle Mariners. Sergio Mitre pitched an effective 5 1/3 innings, allowing 1 earned run and the Yankees bullpen threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings with 8 of the 11 outs recorded via strikeout.

Nick Swisher’s 2-run home run highlighted a 4-run 3rd inning after the Yankees fell behind 1-0 in the 1st. With Robinson Cano aboard on a single and 1 out, Franklin Gutierrez couldn’t handle Melky Cabrera’s fly ball for what would prove to be a costly error. Jose Molina tied the game with a single and Derek Jeter put the Yankees ahead 2-1 with a sacrifice fly. Jeter would add an insurance run in the 9th with his 15th home run of the season. Swisher, batting from the right side against left-hander Luke French, ripped a hook shot down the left field line that stayed inside the foul pole for a 4-1 Yankees lead.

Mitre was tagged for single runs in the 1st and 4th innings, but retired Josh Wilson with a man on 2nd and 2 outs in the 4th. He left after loading the bases with one out in the 6th, but David Robertson struck out Wilson swinging and got Ryan Langerhans looking on a 3-2 pitch that appeared to be out of the zone.

The Yankees caught a big break in the 7th thanks to a rare fundamental mistake by Ichiro Suzuki. The right-fielder led the inning off with a single and moved to 2nd base on Jose Lopez’s 1-out single. Phil Coke came on to strike out Ken Griffey Jr. for the 2nd out. Then with Russell Branyan at the plate, Ichiro attempted to steal 3rd, but was thrown out by Molina to end the threat.

The M’s put two aboard against Mariano Rivera in the 9th, but the Yankees closer picked up his league leading 35th save by striking out Gutierrez and retiring Lopez on a fly to Swisher in right.

Game Notes

After sitting out 2 games with a sore elbow, Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup and was 1-2 with 2 walks. Johnny Damon got the night off.

Waiting for Gaudin

Let's be clear, Chad Gaudin is NOT Roy Halladay. That being said, it's time for Gaudin to replace Sergio Mitre in the Yankees' starting rotation.

I am quite familiar with Gaudin's ability, and inability, from his days with the Oakland A's. His habit of "walking the park" didn't help my fantasy team's WHIP one bit. Repeat with me, that being said, it's time for Gaudin to replace Sergio Mitre in the Yankees' starting rotation.


The only good thing that came out of last night's 5-4 loss, that snapped the Yankees' 7-game winning streak, to the Toronto Blue Jays was not having to hear Joe Girardi and/or Brian Cashman say, "Well, we have won 4 of 5 with Mitre (Girardi would probably refer to him as Sergy or Meaty) starting."

Mitre has decent stuff, he has shown it in the past with the Florida Marlins and Chicago Cubs, but as Girardi and Cashman are quick to point out, Mitre is not that far removed from Tommy John surgery. But I will be quick to point out that the #5 starter in the AL East pennant race is not the place to strengthen one's arm. It's not like Mitre has a winning pedigree or the reputation of a Jon Lieber, who has followed the same path.

The Yankees don't have any other options right now. Al Aceves would make a good starter- don't let that spot start against the Twins sway your opinion- but he's too valuable out of the pen (as evidenced once again last night).

The Yankees don't have anything, and that includes you Kei Igawa, at Scranton. Perhaps if George Kontos had been healthy he would have gotten a shot, but he's not. I would love to see Trenton's Zach McAllister called up, but that's not going to happen either. So that leaves it down to the "Meat Tray" and Gaudin, and we are definitely going with the latter. Mitre can be the long man out of the pen.

"Have you seen Harrison Ford?"

One thing is for certain. All of baseball should be glad that Gaudin is now a Yankee so they no longer have to look at the worst set of goatees this side of Ryan Franklin.

A-Rod Drive Yankees into 1st Place

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Adam Jones • Alex Rodriguez • Baltimore Orioles • Brian Roberts • mariano rivera • Nick Markakis • Rich Hill • Robinson Cano • Sergio Mitre • Yankees 7/21 recap • Yankees vs. Orioles

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Baltimore	1	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	0		4	9	0
NY Yankees	0	1	2	3	0	0	0	0	X		6	6	1

WP - Mitre (1-0) SV - Rivera (27) LP - Hill (3-3)

With 54 RBI in 63 games, it’s not hard to imagine what kind of numbers Alex Rodriguez would have put up had he been healthy all year. The third baseman’s 2-run single propelled the Yankees past the Baltimore Orioles 6-4 tonight for their 5th straight victory and sole possession of 1st place in the AL East. Sergio Mitre was not stellar, but solid enough to pick up his first major league victory since July 29, 2007. Meanwhile, Boston lost their 4th straight, 4-2 to the Texas Rangers.

The Yankees trailed the O’s 2-1 in the 3rd inning when they loaded the bases with 2 outs against Orioles’ starter Rich Hill. Cody Ransom and Mark Teixeira drew two of the eight walks issued by Baltimore pitching and Derek Jeter singled in between them. A-Rod ripped a single through the left side that scored Ransom and Jeter easily for a 3-2 Yankees lead.

Read the rest of my recap at Baseball Digest Online.

The Daily Yankeeland - 7/15

Probably going to have to rename this feature, "The Once in a While Yankeeland".

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Aroldis Chapman • chien-ming wang • damaso marte • Eastern League All-Star Game • Ian Snell • jesus montero • Old Timer's Day • Sergio Mitre • Views from the Facade • Yankees News and Notes • Zach McAllister

The Yankees have acknowledged that Damaso Marte does still exist. Watching MLB Network last night, I noticed on the crawl that Marte will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday with the Gulf Coast League Yankees.

The Trenton Thunder host tonight’s Eastern League All-Star game. Thunder team members, and Yankees prospects, Jesus Montero, Zach McAllister, Mike Dunn, Josh Schmidt, Reegie Corona, Eduardo Nunez, and Jorge Vazquez will represent the Northern squad. Trenton manager Tony Franklin will be at the helm of the North along with his coaching staff.

The Yankees begin a 10-game homestand beginning Thursday night with Detroit. After 3 games with the Tigers, the Orioles come to town for 3 before the A’s finish the homestand with a 4-game set. The Tigers series includes Old-Timer’s Day on Sunday, July 19.

When the Chien-Ming Wang’s spot in the rotation comes up, the Yankees will probably go with Sergio Mitre and move Al Aceves back to the pen.

The Yankees will also look elsewhere for a starting pitcher. According to the NY Post, Pittsburgh’s Ian Snell is among those who have piqued the Yankees interest. The Bombers are also looking into Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman.

Alfredo on the Spot

It's official- Alfredo Aceves will take Chien-Ming Wang's spot in the rotation, at least for one day any way, on Thursday
.
With Wang on the DL, it was originally thought the Yankees would turn to one of their Triple-A pitchers, perhaps Sergio Mitre or Josh Towers, both of whom have major league experience. But Aceves' 4-inning performance on Sunday helped Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman go in another direction.

Aceves is 5-1, 2.02 in 21 relief appearances this season. In 40 innings, he has struck out 34 and walked just 7.

Aceves in the Mix for Wang Spot

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, manager Joe Girardi admitted yesterday that Al Aceves is being considered for Chien-Ming Wang's spot in the rotation. Aceves gave his cause a boost yesterday with four scoreless innings against the Blue Jays to earn his first major league save.

Initial reports had Wang not missing more than 15 days, but the latest info has Wang not even picking up a baseball for 12 days. Translation - he might not be back until well after the All-Star break.

Aceves has been a big find for the Yankees after they plucked him out of the Mexican League prior to last season. Aceves was 1-0, 2.74 in 4 starts last year for the Yankees and has been a God send out of the pen this year. In 21 games (40 IP), he's gone 5-1, 2.02 with a 34/7 strikeout to walk ratio.

The other options for Girardi are Scranton starters Sergio Mitre and Josh Towers, with Towers currently lined up to throw on the same day (Thursday) that Wang's spot is due up. Girardi also re-iterated that Phil Hughes is NOT an option.

Mitre Suspended for 50

The Yankees signed right-hander Sergio Mitre back in November with the hopes he could help them in the future. The 27-yr old, who has pitched for the Cubs and Marlins, is coming off of Tommy John surgery and probably wouldn't be ready to return to the mound until July. But that is probably going to change now.

Mitre has been suspended 50 games for violating the league's drug policy.

Mitre told ESPN.com that while he takes "full responsibility" for his actions, he failed a drug test because a trace amount of androstenedione appeared without his knowledge in a nutritional supplement that he bought at GNC. "Although being suspended for 50 games is tough to accept, I think that it is important to understand that I am in full support of drug testing in baseball," Mitre said in a statement released through his agent, Paul Cobbe. "I did take the supplement in question and accept full responsibility for taking it. What has been difficult for me to understand is that I legally purchased this supplement at GNC and had no intention nor desire to cheat or to circumvent the system in any way. "As confirmed through the drug testing and grievance processes, it contained a 'contaminant' amount of an illegal, performance-enhancing drug. This was not listed as an ingredient on the packaging, should not have been in the supplement and certainly should not have been available for legal purchase at a store."

Mitre will serve the suspension once he's activated from the DL.

Phillies reliever J.C. Romero, a member of the championship Phillies, is also to receive a 50 game suspension.

Mitre Suspended for 50

The Yankees signed right-hander Sergio Mitre back in November with the hopes he could help them in the future. The 27-yr old, who has pitched for the Cubs and Marlins, is coming off of Tommy John surgery and probably wouldn't be ready to return to the mound until July. But that is probably going to change now.

Mitre has been suspended 50 games for violating the league's drug policy.

Mitre told ESPN.com that while he takes "full responsibility" for his actions, he failed a drug test because a trace amount of androstenedione appeared without his knowledge in a nutritional supplement that he bought at GNC. "Although being suspended for 50 games is tough to accept, I think that it is important to understand that I am in full support of drug testing in baseball," Mitre said in a statement released through his agent, Paul Cobbe. "I did take the supplement in question and accept full responsibility for taking it. What has been difficult for me to understand is that I legally purchased this supplement at GNC and had no intention nor desire to cheat or to circumvent the system in any way. "As confirmed through the drug testing and grievance processes, it contained a 'contaminant' amount of an illegal, performance-enhancing drug. This was not listed as an ingredient on the packaging, should not have been in the supplement and certainly should not have been available for legal purchase at a store."

Mitre will serve the suspension once he's activated from the DL.

Phillies reliever J.C. Romero, a member of the championship Phillies, is also to receive a 50 game suspension.