Tex's Wrist Sends Him Back to Tampa

Mark Teixeira hoped to represent the United States in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but a strained right wrist ended that wish.

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported that Tex injured the wrist while taking batting practice prior to Team USA's exhibition game with Chicago White Sox.

Tex is expected to sit 7-10 days and will be re-evaluated by the Yankees doctors. Teixeira is a notoriously slow starter and hoped the Team USA's games would help out in putting together a productive first month of the season.

You can bet the Yankees will take things cautiously so that Teixeira isn't out for an extended period of time. An already weakened lineup can't take any more missing parts.

Cano Goes Deep In Yankees Grapefruit Opener

Cano goes deep in 1st spring game

There's been much debate this off-season as to whether or not the Yankees should sign Robinson Cano to a long term extension prior to him becoming a free agent after the season. While the Yankees don't normally negotiate extensions prior to the expiration of a contract, it is believed they will make every attempt to get one done with Cano before the 2013 season starts. He's slated to earn $15MM in 2013.

Cano, who will be leaving for the World Baseball Classic on March 3, started his pre-season off with a bang by homering off of Braves pitcher Yohan Flander this afternoon. The Yankees topped Atlanta 8-3 to win their grapefruit league opener.

It's somewhat incredible to think that this will be Cano's 9th season in pinstripes. He unexpectedly made his Major League debut in 2005 to replace a struggling Tony Womack and immediately impressed. (.297/.320/.458, 14 HR, 62 RBI). Last season Cano hit a career high 33 home runs and also established a new personal mark for OPS (.929), but like everyone else, disappeared in the playoffs.

Despite another All-Star appearance in '12, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards,and some gaudy numbers, Cano was inconsistent last season. At times, he fell into some of his old bad habits of chasing pitches outside of the strike zone and had just a .646 OPS against left-handed starters after an .879 mark in 2011.  This season will really be a challenge for Cano with no big bat in the lineup to protect him.

Cano will likely hit third with Mark Teixeira in the clean up spot.  Cano should see less fastballs and good pitches to hit unless Teixeira regains some of his pre-2010 consistency. In an unusual display of honesty from today's athlete, Teixeira recently admitted that his best days are behind him and that it gets harder to put up big numbers every year. Not something you really want to hear from a guy who still has three years left on his deal.

The Yankees also got a home run on Saturday from outfielder Zolio Almonte. Whenever queried as to who impressed him last spring, Joe Girardi consistently mentioned Almonte. The 23-yr old was the primary right fielder for the Trenton Thunder last season and should start this year in Triple-A after he hit .270 with 21 HR and 90 RBI in the Eastern League in 2012.

David Phelps, in a battle for the fifth spot in the rotation with Ivan Nova, started the game and threw two scoreless innings.

Ichiro "Raps" up WBC Title

Japan and Korea were tied, 3-3, in the top of the 10th Monday night. The World Baseball Classic title was hanging in the balance. Japan had runners on second and third with two outs and Ichiro Suzuki up the plate. No-brainer right? You walk him to loaded the bases and set up a force at any base, and face anyone other than the guy who wields a bat like Zorro swung a sword.

But Korea did indeed pitch to Ichiro and the Seattle Mariner made them pay with a 2-run game winning single. With the 5-3 victory, Japan successfully defended their WBC championship, which they first won in 2006.

Korea's manager Sik Kim had signaled to pitch around Ichiro and was befuddled afterwards as to why his pitcher and catcher didn't follow his orders. But why even mess around? It shouldn't have been left to chance; Ichiro should have been intentionally walked.

The Red Sox' Datsuke Matsuzaka won the tourney MVP award, just as he did in 2006.

Box Score

photo courtesy of NY Times

World Baseball Classic - 3/11

Time to catch you up on the World Baseball Classic. The US is back in action tonight (6:30 EDT) against Venezuela. That's because the South American squad pounded Italy last night, 10-1. Bobby Abreu, Miguel Cabrera, Ramon Hernandez, and Jose Lopez each homered.

One of the big surprises in the tournament was the elimination of the Dominican Republic last night by the Netherlands. It was the second time one run loss handed to the D.R. by the Netherlands in the tourney.

The game was scoreless in the 11th inning, when the D.R. broke through. The frame started out harmless enough when the first two batters were retired, but Jose Reyes walked and scored from first base when right fielder Gene Kinsgale misplayed Jose Bautista's fly ball.

The Cubs' Carlos Marmol came on to close things out in the bottom of the 11 for the D.R., but Sidney de Jong led off with a double. A ground out moved to de Jong to third, giving Kingsale a chance to redeem himself. And he did just that. Kingsale singled to right field to tie the game up.

Marmol then made an errant pick off throw to first, allowing Kingsale to scamper to third. Marmol struck out Scharlon Shoop for the second out, and intentionally walked Randall Simon to set up a force play. But first baseman Willy Aybar mishandled Yurendell de Caster's grounder to allow the winning run to score.

The Netherlands will now take on Puerto Rico later this afternoon.

Cuba, the runner up in last year's tourney, beat Australia 5-4. The Aussies led 4-3, but Yosbany Peraza hit a go-ahead 2-run home run off Angels prospect Rich Thompson in the eighth inning.

Australia will play Mexico tonight, with the winner facing Cuba tomorrow. The loser will go home.

Yankees, Red Sox Bond

The intensity of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry goes without saying. But that doesn't mean these guys hate each other, or for that matter, even dislike each other. One thing that All-Star games, winter ball, and the World Baseball Classic do, are give players a chance to get to get know one another, and yes, even become friends.

Such is the case of a pair of middle infielders. Anthony McCarron of the Times reports that Derek Jeter and Dustin Pedroia can be seen palling around during the WBC. Yankees and Red Sox fans everywhere must be shuddering.

The two play the game the same way, balls to the wall, and it's not lost on the other.

"One of the good things about something like this is you get to put the personalities with the players," Jeter said. "I enjoy spending time with some of those guys."

Jeter says he admires the way both Pedroia and Youkilis play "every game like it's the last game they're going to play. You appreciate that."

"It's awesome to play with him, especially because we play against him so much during the season and he's always getting hits and doing things, so you respect him so much," added Pedroia. "We don't hate them and I don't think they hate us. It's great competition. That's what makes it fun - playing against great players and trying to win."

It's not just Yankees-Red Sox though. The intra-city rivals have a chance to show admiration for each other too.

"The thing with him, I respect the way he handles himself in New York," Jeter said of (David) Wright. "I can relate to what it's like coming up at a young age. He's a great player, it goes without saying that.

"But I'm more impressed with the way he handles himself. It seems like he's a guy on that team that people look toward. The thing I like about him is you don't have to be a rah-rah guy and run your mouth all the time to show leadership. I think he shows all the right leadership skills - he leads by example and he's not phony. What you see is what you get from him. It's not an image he's trying to portray; I think that's how he is as a person."

He notes how Jeter, despite his accomplishments, still works on his game diligently. "He's a leader and a winner and that's something I'd like to be," Wright said.

Remember all of this, Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets fans, the next time your ready to dump your beer or take a swing at the fan in the other team's colors.

World Baseball Classic - 3/9

The US blew out Venezuela on Sunday, belting three home runs en route to a 15-6 victory. Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn, and Ryan Braun all went deep as Team USA banged out 16 hits. Mark DeRosa and Chris Iannetta enjoyed big games with four RBI each.

Derek Jeter went 0-2 after replacing starter Jimmy Rollins. Matt Lindstrom picked up the win after starter Roy Oswalt struggled through three innings. Victor Zambrano was saddled with the loss, the first for the Venezuelan team.

The Dominican Republic shut out Panama 9-0 in a elimination game on Sunday. Miguel Olivo pounded two home runs and Johnny Cueto struck out five batters in 4.1 innings pitched for the win. Ramiro Mendoza took the loss for Panama.

Nelson Cruz also homered for the D.R..

Cuba opened their play in the WBC with an 8-1 win over South Africa on Sunday. The Cuban squad hit a classic record six home runs, two of them by Frederich Cepeda. South Africa was held to four hits and struck out 11 times.

3/9

Korea out dueled Japan 1-0 on Monday, with the lone run coming in the fourth inning. Tae Kyun Kim had two of the four Korean hits and drove in the lone run. Kenji Johjima had two of Japan's six hits. It was the first loss for the Japanese team.

World Baseball Classic - 3/7

Team USA gained some revenge from 2006 when helped off Team Canada earlier today, 6-5. The US team powered up with home runs by Kevin Youkilis, Brian McCann, and Adam Dunn all went deep and J.J. Putz got out of a jam in the ninth inning to preserve the win.

Former Yankee LaTroy Hawkins picked up the win after starter Jake Peavy allowed two runs in three innings of work. Canada scored a run in the ninth off of Putz and had the tying run on second base. But the new Mets set up man retired Jason Bay on a fly out to right to retire the side. Derek Jeter went 2-3 before giving way to Jimmy Rollins.

Datuske Matsuzaka allowed a couple of runs over four innings in Japan's 14-2 blow out of Korea. Norichika Aoki and Shuichi Murata drove in 3 runs each, and Murata and Kenji Johjima each homered.

The Netherlands pulled off a major upset, upsetting the Dominican Republic 3-2. The Netherlands picked up all 3 unearned runs in the first inning as the Dominican played poorly in the field. An Edinson Volquez wild pitch and a Hanley Ramirez throwing error put the visiting team in the lead for good.

Miguel Tejada homered and Ramirez drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, but the D.R. lost despite their pitchers allowing just 3 hits and striking out 12. Sidney Ponson pitched four innings for the win.Blogger: My Pinstripes - Create Post

Puetro Rico blasted Panama 7-0 as Ivan Rodriguez added to his free agent resume. The 37-yr old catcher, who spent last season with the Tigers and Yankees, is still in search of a team with opening day less than a month away. He may have opened some eyes this evening when he homered twice, doubled, singled, walked, and drove in 4 runs in five plate appearances.

Carlos Delgado also homered and Javier Vazquez tossed 4.1 scoreless innings for the win. Bernie Williams drew a pinch-hit walk in his one plate appearance.


Italy and Venezuela are just underway.

World Baseball Classic Update - Mar 6

We had absolutely no interest when the WBC debuted back in 2006. We have next to no interest this year, but we do realize that some of our readers are interested. Therefore, will be providing daily updates and brief recaps of each days games.

Games of Thursday, 3/5

China 0 5 2
Japan 4 5 0

The tourney's opener saw defending champion Japan blank China, 4-0. Japan managed just 5 hits, but Chinese pitching walked 8 batters, including the Cubs' Kosuke Fukudome 4 times.

Shuichi Murata belted a 2-run home run off of losing pitcher Chenhao Li. Japanese phenom Yu Darvish pitched 4 innings of no-hit ball for the win.

Ichiro Suzuki (M's) and Aki Iwamura (Rays) were a combined 0-9. China's two Yankees prospects both made appearances. Catcher Zhenwang Zhang struck out both times up, while pitcher Kai Liu threw one scoreless inning with one walk allowed.


Games of Friday, 3/6

Chinese Taipei 0 5 0
Korea 9 10 0

Korea won the opener in easy fashion, 9-0. Hyun-jin Ryu picked up the victory with 3 innings of work. Jin-young Lee delivered the big blow with a grand slam. The Indians' Shin-soo Choo was 1-3 with a walk.


China will now face Chinese Taipei at 10:30 EST tonight.

A-Rod Could Miss WBC

The NY Times' Jack Curry is reporting tonight that Alex Rodriguez could miss the World Baseball Classic due to a cyst on his hip. The Yankees ordered an MRI after A-Rod complained of hip discomfort, and will be sending the third baseman to a hip specialist in Colorado on Wednesday.

Even if it turns out not to be serious, there is the possibility the Yankees will block A-Rod from participating in the WBC so that he can rest up his leg.

Jeter, A-Rod, and Cano Headed to WBC

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Cano are among the players on the finalized rosters for the World Baseball Classic. Jeter will, obviously, represent the US, while A-Rod and Cano, as well as Damaso Marte, will play for the Dominican Republic.

Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras were also on the finalized roster, but Ramirez had to beg off due to bursitis in his shoulder and Veras turned down the invitation.

Minor league catcher Francisco Cervelli, whose father had dual citizenship between Venezuela and Italy, will play for the Italian team. Pitcher Kai Liu and catcher Zhenwang Zhang will represent China, while first baseman Jorge Vazquez will play for Mexico.

Click here to see more on the WBC from mlb.com

Around the Horn - 2/24

The Blue Jays have been injury riddled the last couple of years and they're already off to a bad start in '09. Star outfielder Vernon Wells will miss the next month with a hamstring injury after hurting his leg in a base running drill. Wells missed the last month of the '08 season with the same injury.

Marvin Miller must have been delirious when he recently appeared on the Michael Kay Show. Miller was emphatic that there was nothing wrong with steroids; that nothing had been proven. Donald Fehr of course follows the party line that Miller handed down to him, and Mike Lupica (who was rarely quote) took him to task for it.

Performance enhancing drugs will never fully go away if the union continues to stick their heads in the sand.

Players continue to drop out of the World Baseball Classic. Wells is obviously out, and Albert Pujols joined him after finding out he couldn't get disability insurance due to his '08 injuries.

Carlos Marmol of the Cubs pulled out of the tourney so he could compete for the Cubs closer job. Other players won't go because they won't start (Ryan Ludwick) or because they only want to learn the new position they're playing (Carlos Guillen).

We've said it before and we'll say it again, the WBC is a waste.

The Daily Yankeeland - 2/23

Bill Madden talked to Brian Bruney about his continued weight loss (35 pounds in 2 years) and his impact on the Yankees late bullpen innings.

Madden's colleague, Mark Feinsand, has a look at the shooting start that is Mark Melancon. When the day comes that Mo retires, could Melancon be the guy?
Derek Jeter's troublesome hamstring may have an impact on his participation in the WBC after all. Joe Girardi has already instructed his captain not to play through injuries in the tournament.

Mike Vaccaro talks about the magical sound of CC Sabathia throwing to a catcher's mitt.

Bernie Williams gets some love from the Boston Globe.


photo courtesy of Cataffo/News

Now Batting, number 51?

No, this isn't an episode of "Lost". You're not jumping between time periods.

That really is Bernie Williams taking some swings in a Yankees uniform. The Yankees are allowing Bernie to work out as he prepares for Puerto Rico's participation in this year's World Baseball Classic.

Tyler Kepner of the NY Times reports that Bernie was set to work out at the minor league complex, but the team asked him to join them at the major league complex.

It was also the first time that Bernie learned the park and street surrounding it were now named after George M. Steinbrenner III. To top things off, King George was even in the house yesterday.

Welcome back Bernie, even if it is just for a little while.

Number 2 in the Visitor's Lineup

The stage is set for some odd baseball in the Yankees' March 3 exhibition game. That's because they'll be playing the World Baseball Classic's US squad with shortstop Derek Jeter.

#2 opposing the Yankees? First the Joe Torre book, now this? All right, Jeter will be back in the Yankees lineup when the WBC wraps up.

Baker's Dozen Headed to WBC

13 Yankees are listed in the World Baseball Classic provisional rosters released earlier today. Derek Jeter is the only players on the US team, but a number of Yankees, including Alex Rodriguez, have offered their services to the Dominican Republic squad. Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Damaso Marte, Jose Veras, and Edwar Ramirez could be joining A-Rod on the finalized Dominican roster.

The Yankees' farm system could also be represented. Catcher Francisco Cervelli is on the Italian team roster, first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria is representing Panama, and pitcher Al Aceves and first baseman Jorge Vazquez are on the Mexican team.

Even China has two players listed that are Yankees property- pitcher Kai Liu and catcher Zhenwang Zhang, both of whom were signed in June, 2007.

And of course, Bernie Williams will be attempting to play for Puerto Rico, which will mostly be without Jorge Posada.

Play kicks off March 5 in Tokyo, Toronto, San Juan, PR, and Mexico City.

The Daily Yankeeland/TGIF Hot Stove

Talk about your mixed bag. The Daily Yankeeland and the Hot Stove are one abbreviated post today due to an oh so busy schedule. We're still laughing at yesterday's news of David Ortiz telling reporters that Alex Rodriguez will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Papi, you honestly believe Turkey-Rod will make his mind up that quickly? Do you not recall his flip flopping for the last WBC?

At least this news about A-Rod has to do with baseball, not his latest Madonna episode. BTW, the scuttlebutt (Been watching too much NCIS) is that A-Rod is already cheating on the Kabalah Kook. And in case you missed it, check out this photo of A-Rod at KK's concert. Did he just escape from "Project Runway"?

Anyway, back to business.

Brian Cashman has already met with Scott Boras and is planning on talking to CC Sabathia before Monday's winter meetings begin. Tyler Kepner of the Times reported that Cashman also flew to Washington today to meet with Boras and another of his clients, Mark Teixeira. The Daily News reports that Cashman also spoke with Boras about Derek Lowe.

Andy Pettitte has spoken with Joe Torre, but Torre feels Pettitte only wants to play for the Yankees.

The biggest news today though is who won't be back next year. Greg Maddux has decided to calll it quits and will make an official announcement on Monday. Conveniently, Maddux lives in Las Vegas, site of the winter meetings. A sure Hall of Fame entrant in 2013, Maddux calls it quits with 355 career wins.

Speaking of Sabathia, Jon Heyman of SI reports that the Brewers are willing (and may have already) to up their $100 million offer to the lefty. Sources told Heyman that there two other teams, in addition to the Yankees and Brewers, that have made offers to the lefty.

The Atlanta Constition-Journal feels the contract offer to A.J. Burnett includes an attainable fifth year.

The Daily Yankeeland/TGIF Hot Stove

Talk about your mixed bag. The Daily Yankeeland and the Hot Stove are one abbreviated post today due to an oh so busy schedule. We're still laughing at yesterday's news of David Ortiz telling reporters that Alex Rodriguez will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Papi, you honestly believe Turkey-Rod will make his mind up that quickly? Do you not recall his flip flopping for the last WBC?

At least this news about A-Rod has to do with baseball, not his latest Madonna episode. BTW, the scuttlebutt (Been watching too much NCIS) is that A-Rod is already cheating on the Kabalah Kook. And in case you missed it, check out this photo of A-Rod at KK's concert. Did he just escape from "Project Runway"?

Anyway, back to business.

Brian Cashman has already met with Scott Boras and is planning on talking to CC Sabathia before Monday's winter meetings begin. Tyler Kepner of the Times reported that Cashman also flew to Washington today to meet with Boras and another of his clients, Mark Teixeira. The Daily News reports that Cashman also spoke with Boras about Derek Lowe.

Andy Pettitte has spoken with Joe Torre, but Torre feels Pettitte only wants to play for the Yankees.

The biggest news today though is who won't be back next year. Greg Maddux has decided to calll it quits and will make an official announcement on Monday. Conveniently, Maddux lives in Las Vegas, site of the winter meetings. A sure Hall of Fame entrant in 2013, Maddux calls it quits with 355 career wins.

Speaking of Sabathia, Jon Heyman of SI reports that the Brewers are willing (and may have already) to up their $100 million offer to the lefty. Sources told Heyman that there two other teams, in addition to the Yankees and Brewers, that have made offers to the lefty.

The Atlanta Constition-Journal feels the contract offer to A.J. Burnett includes an attainable fifth year.