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New York Yankees: Gardner going to doctor today

Posted by on 20 May 2012, 6:03 am

ESPN New York reported that New York Yankees speedster Brett Gardnerwould have his right elbow examined by doctors following the 1pm rubber match vs. the Cincinnati Reds today.

Gardy and Grandy - 06/15/2011

Gardner has rehabbd his elbow and said:

“If I could start swinging here in the next couple of days, I’ll be ready by next weekend for sure.”

The Yankees have been without Gardner for 29 games, and his return will be welcomed with open arms.

Whether Gardner will be the difference maker for the Yankees is a whole different issue, as the team has been painfully bad so far this season.

Without a doubt the Yankees are better with Gardner, as just his speed alone, 49 steals in 2011, adds another dimension that opposing pitchers have to deal with.

Gardner was posting a .321 batting average before he went down in April 18th but Yankee fans need to realize that he only played nine games so to think that will continue would be foolish.

Look I want Gardner back as much as anyone else but it is hard to think that the Yankees issue will suddenly disappear.

Yankee fans need to face the facts here, and that is the hitters are only getting worse and have shown zero signs of improving. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Gardner going to doctor today’ »

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New York Yankees: Are the bats the problem?

Posted by on 16 May 2012, 3:44 am

Cano - Cano - Cano don't you know?

After watching CC Sabathia struggle and the Yankees lose pathetically, 5-2, to the Baltimore Orioles last night I realized that the pitching was not the problem here.

Even with a bad start, Sabathia allowed four runs to score but the Yankee hitters can easily beat that number; and this reminded me of a something MLB veteran Andy Van Slyke once said:

“Every season has its peaks and valleys. What you have to try to do is eliminate the Grand Canyon.”

Now, the Yankees have not quite hit Grand Canyon level but the ups and downs are now a recurring theme.

While injuries have become a viable problem, it is not an excuse for the level of doubt but the staggering offense is.

The Yankees bats are arguably are the best in the Bigs, on paper. Up and down the order is supposed to be feared but for some reason the vibe is not coming across like it has in seasons past.

And other than Brett Gardner, the batting order is relatively healthy minus Mark Teixeira’s chest infection, which could very well be whooping-cough, and still they can’t seem to hit a stride.

So, what is the problem with the offense?

Multiple times this season the Yankees bats looked to be breaking out, only to be blanked the very next night; and usually by a pitcher they have not seen much of, or at all.

The Yankees beat Mariners King Felix but not Kevin Millwood; and they lose to the Rays Jeff Neimann but not aces David Price or James Shields. They get blanked by Orioles Jake Arrieta (2-4; 5.21 ERA) for eight innings but beat reining MVP and CY Young winner Tigers Justin Verlander. Catch my drift?

Actually finding a reason as what is happening here probably has a lot has to do with experience, or lack-of, if anything. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Are the bats the problem?’ »

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New York Yankees: Houdini to DL

Posted by on 15 May 2012, 6:15 pm

Talk about some bad luck as the New York Yankees have placed another on the ever-growing DL (disabled list).

David Robertson on April 24, 2011

David Robertson on April 24, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This time it is reliever/interim-closer David Robertson who has a strained left oblique and will be out for 15 days at least.

It is not surprising that the Yankees did not acknowledge that Robertson was hurt publicly until their backs were against the wall, as skipper Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman have a knack for not revealing anything in full.

I guess this explains why Yankee fans haven’t seen Robertson throw a pitch since last Friday, as he was nonchalantly unavailable.

After watching Rafael Soriano close the game beautifully last night in Baltimore, questions started swirling about why Robertson did not pitch.

Than Wallace Matthews at ESPN New York reported just after midnight that Robertson had felt a tug on his left side during his outing last Friday night vs. the Mariners.

Robertson said he was “not too concerned,” as he described the pain as “a little sore, but it wasn’t like one pitch and I felt like something rip or tear or anything like that.”

He was hoping it would disappear but unfortunately it did not and the MRI from earlier today revealed a strain.

This is a big blow for the Yankees, as Robertson is a key arm out of the bullpen and his absence will not go unnoticed.

Since the start of the 2012 season, the Yankees have been hit with the injury bug like you read about. If the DL list keeps growing at this rate, it will be more competitive than the real active roster.

My guess is Yankee fans are now thanking their lucky stars that owner Hal Steinbrenner forced Cashman to sign Soriano last off-season because otherwise the Yankees would be in a real hole right now. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Houdini to DL’ »

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New York Yankees: Wounded but winning

Posted by on 15 May 2012, 12:39 am
Mark Teixeira swings at a pitch during a game ...

Mark Teixeira swings at a pitch during a game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles on August 28, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As if there weren’t enough already, the New York Yankees suffered even more injuries during their big, 8-5 win against the Baltimore Orioles last night.

The wounded Bombers are literally dropping like flies, and it is going to make it tough for skipper Joe Girardi to give Mark Teixeira, who was hacking up a lung after his big two-run homer, a much-needed day off.

So, here is a quick list of the Yankees latest casualties with the most updated DL list from MLB.com.

-       Starting pitcher Ivan Nova had to leave the mound in Camden Yard and was diagnosed with a bruise and a sprain of his right ankle but MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch did report the x-rays came back negative. I presume that means Nova didn’t really damage anything but he is obviously still hurt.

-       Lefty reliever Clay Rapada faced two batters, and finished his outing but had to be helped to the locker-room, as he has a viral infection.

-       DH/LF Raul Ibanez got hit with a pitch in the right elbow but still managed to get on first due to a defensive error but was immediately replaced with a pinch runner. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Wounded but winning’ »

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New York Yankees: Reintroducing Girardi’s binder

Posted by on 12 May 2012, 4:03 am

Joe Girardi, the current Yankees' manager

Joe Girardi, the current Yankees' manager (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With the devastating loss of Mariano Rivera now sinking in, which not only physically handicaps the Yankees but also mentally, skipper Joe Girardi’s job just got much harder.

The good ‘old comfort of the ninth inning now feels more like a Sergio Mitre start, and no one knows this better than pitcher David Robertson.

In time, everyone figured Robertson to be Mo’s successor, but not now and not like this.

When you consider all the Yankees recent history of screwing up young pitchers by pushing them too hard into uncomfortable roles, it makes you stop and think again.

Why the hell would the Yankees put all the weight on Robertson to fill Mo’s shoes when the timing isn’t right?

Robertson was invaluable to the Yankees last, and he got an All-Star nod to prove it. Also his 1.08 ERA, one homer, and eight earned runs in over 66 innings pitched made Robertson the best reliever in the Bigs.

Just think about it…. Robertson earned the nickname Houdini because he is an escape artist. He thrives when runners are already on bases, as that is where he always got the big strikeouts.

So, could this be the reason that Robertson blew his second save vs. the Rays? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Reintroducing Girardi’s binder’ »

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New York Yankees: Injury setbacks continue

Posted by on 10 May 2012, 6:01 pm

BRETT GARDNER AT-BAT.

The New York Yankees, like the other 29 MLB teams, are not devoid of injuries but the Bombers are definitely one of the harder hit clubs so far in 2012.

There was some good news on the way, as both outfielders Brett Gardner and utility man Eric Chavez looked to be close to returning to the Bronx.

I was hoping that Yankee fans would see them both back on the field by the end of the weekend, which also happens to be the official return of southpaw Andy Pettitte, who will make his first start on Sunday since retiring after the 2010 season.

Well, that well-deserved and much-needed excitement is no longer, as ESPN.com reported that Gardner had to leave what was supposed to be his last Triple-A rehab start with a swollen elbow last night.

And now Marc Craig of the Star Ledger just confirmed that Gardner is getting another MRI on his right arm, as the swelling and soreness was still present today.

This is a total bummer, as the Yankees were really looking forward to Gardner’s return. He is an asset in all aspects of the game and had a .321 batting average before he smashed into a wall back in the outfield. Gardner was officially put on the DL back on April 18th.

Here is the latest Yankees injury from CBSSports.com: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Injury setbacks continue’ »

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Are the Yankees stealing the spotlight in 2012? I think not

Posted by on 9 May 2012, 2:49 am
New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a...

New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 8, 2009 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What MLB stories have hogged headlines so far in the 2012 season?

Shockingly, it is not the New York Yankees, as the Universe is in mourning and adjusting to life being Mo-less, which is about all they can handle now anyway.

So for those Yankees fans who have lived in a box since Opening Day; or if you need to make/fake an impression with some baseball knowledge; or maybe you decided to become a baseball fan yesterday…well, whatever it is you came to the right place.

So, in no particular order, here are the 5 biggest headlines from the first month of 2012 season. I included links to both the baseball blogosphere, and MLB experts/analysts under each subject line.

Enjoy!

Fragile closers.

MLB Analysis: It’s Not Easy Being a Closer These Days – Opposing Views

There’s only one Mariano Rivera – Baseball Insider; CBS Sports

Fragile bunch in high-risk job – Republican-American

Marmol likely out as closer – Cubs Den

Closer Turnover In 2012 – Beyond the Boxscore

Phillies Cole Hamels names himself president of MLB’s welcoming committee, just ask Nationals rookie Bryce Harper.

Spike Eskin Says: The Bryce Harper Incident Was Cole Hamels’ Free Agency Audition – CBS Sports Philadelphia.

Cole Hamels Pays a $468,750 Price for Honesty – Forbes Magazine.

The Juice: Bryce Harper steals home, Jayson Werth breaks wrist in Phillies win – Big League Stew

Charlie Manuel wishes Cole Hamels hadn’t been so honest – High Cheese Continue reading ‘Are the Yankees stealing the spotlight in 2012? I think not’ »

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