The Daily Yankeeland - 3/6

We said Joba Chamberlain was awful yesterday, and we stick by that. But he feels good, which is important. After walking four and allowing a hit without retiring a batter, Joba shrugged his performance off as one of those spring days when the mechanics are off. More importantly, he felt good physically. Joe Girardi isn't concerned about Joba yet, but will be if he throws the same way his next time out.

Hideki Matsui participated in his first game, going 0-2 in the exhibition game with Team Canada. Le Canada won 6-0.

Both Mariano Rivera and Edwar Ramirez threw off a mound yesterday. It was the first time this year for Mo and the first time since experiencing shoulder discomfort for Ramirez.

The beat writers for various teams around the country are already looking at who their team can deal to the Yankees if A-Rod is out. The Dallas Morning News would like to move the injury prone Hank Blalock and his $6.25 million annual salary. One of the bay area papers (sorry, we lost the link) suggested the even more injury prone Bobby Crosby, who is not even a third baseman. A's GM Billy Beane has said, for now, he does not intend to trade Crosby despite the acquisitions of Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra.

Joe Sherman of the Post reported today that Brian Cashman recommended that the Yankees let A-Rod walk if he opted out of his contract prior to the 2008 season. Perhaps the Steinbrenners should have listened.

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo takes a look at 10 Yankees prospects to watch.

Former Yankees pitching coach/mentor Billy Connors has established a fund to help Schenectady, NY students.

An Awful Joba

Joe Girardi and the Yankees will try to down play it, and rightly so, but there will be no denying just how awful Joba Chamberlain was today. Making his second start of the spring (he only last 1 inning in his first start), Chamberlain faced just five hitters, walk four of them and allowing one hit. It translated to a 6-run inning as Team Canada bolted out in front of the Yankees in today's exhibition game.

Jonathan Albaladejo, making his first appearance since getting hit on the calf by a come backer, threw two innings, allowing one run. Kei Igawa has come on to start the fourth inning.

Nick Swisher and new starting third baseman Cody Ransom have drawn walks, but the Yankees are looking for the first base hit of the day.

The Daily Yankeeland - 3/5

The Yankees take on Team Canada in Tampa today at 1:15. Joba Chamberlain will make his second start of the spring. He pitched just one inning his first time out.

Hip specialist, Dr. Mark Philippon, says A-Rod's bothersome hip is most likely not serious. Seems like everyone we've talked to has thought the same thing......is this a residual effect from steroid injections?

A-Rod's talks with MLB investigators centered on his relationship with banned trained Angel Presinal.

Some good news- Mariano Rivera will throw off a bullpen mound today. It's the first time he'll toe the rubber since his off-season shoulder surgery.

The NY Times' Jack Curry spoke to Bernie Williams about the possibility of making the transition from the Puerto Rican WBC team to a MLB team. Bernie's not ruling out the possibility, but unsure if could play for a team other than the Yankees. (photo courtesy of NY Times)

Looks like the Yankees were well aware of the bleacher view obstruction a year ago.