Location: Bronx, N.Y. | Ballpark: Yankee Stadium (57,746) | Spring Training: Tampa, Fla.
Owner: George M. Steinbrenner | GM: Brian Cashman | Manager: Joe Girardi | World Championships: 26
--3B Alex Rodriguez did not receive the news he wanted from the MRI on his strained right quadriceps and will not be activated from the disabled list this week. Though Rodriguez is improving, the Yankees decided to be cautious. "We can't afford to have him come back for two days, then lose him for six weeks," manager Joe Girardi told reporters. The original plan called for A-Rod to play in rehab games during the week and possibly return Thursday.
--LHP Kei Igawa was moved to the bullpen, a move that will likely be temporary until the club calls up a starting pitcher and demotes him to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Manager Joe Girardi said Igawa's future still remains as a starter, though he hasn't inspired great hope. After posting a 6.25 ERA last season, Igawa was a disaster when given a chance this year, yielding six runs on 11 hits in his only start.
--RHP Ian Kennedy will start for the Yankees on Thursday, marking a rapid return to the club, which had demoted him after a slow start. Kennedy was limited to just 12 pitches in his start for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday in preparation for a recall. After Kei Igawa's horrible start and Kennedy's excellent one, the Yankees opted to bring the rookie back for Thursday's game against Tampa Bay. RHP Darrell Rasner will pitch Friday and open the Subway Series against the Mets.
--LHP Andy Pettitte, granted an extra day's rest due to a rainout, grabbed some more after his shortest start of the season. Pettitte failed to reach the fifth inning for the first time this season, allowing five runs on eight hits in four innings to the Rays. Even rarer than the short stint was Pettitte's result against Tampa Bay, whom he had previously dominated with a 14-3 career mark.
--IF Alberto Gonzalez, who had come up to take Wilson Betemit's place, got the start at third base and picked up two hits Monday night. The Yankees' injury bug has offered Gonzalez chances to shine at different points this year and he's made the most of it, impressing the Yankees with his speed, defense and, most surprisingly, his bat. Gonazalez upped his average to .310 Monday.
BY THE NUMBERS 46,000,194 -- Number of dollars the Yankees have invested in Japanese import Kei Igawa, who posted a 6.25 ERA last season and looked even worse in his first start this year.
QUOTE TO NOTE "If he wants to yell and scream after a strikeout and dance around the mound ... My home run was in a much bigger situation ... but I didn't dance around and scream." -- Cleveland outfielder David Dellucci, who hit a game-winning homer off Joba Chamberlain one game and struck out the next, on Chamberlain's exuberance on the mound.
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I just read over on the Rumor Mill blog that the Yanks and Dodgers are talking trade again, Cano for Kemp. IF the Yanks could sign Hudson for 2b, I might actually be alright with this. Cano is a good player, but good is the extent of it. I think there is upside to both players, but with the movement of getting younger, I like an outfi
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Hey fellow yanks fans. It is plain that we all take not making playoffs poorly, L()L. Some peeps are getting pretty excited about rumors and lack of movement on the FA front along with the non-tender affair. As i have stated in past posts, we are not privvy to all thats going on and hopefully Cash really has finger on pulse of it all and not up his arse, and will come through for all of us sufferi
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