March 2012
Was Michael Pineda Damaged goods?
The Yankees newly acquired pitcher Michael Pineda complained of soreness in his pitching shoulder last night after giving up six runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched. The righty struggled with velocity once again, and added location problems to his troubles as well, allowing seven hits and walking three.
So far the words coming out of Yankees camp aren’t good. Brian Cashman stated, “Anytime a pitcher talks about his shoulder, I have concern, his velocity is down, so you put those two together, it definitely causes concern.” Cashman later said Friday was “A real bad day for us.”
Pineda is scheduled to have an MRI today, but regardless of the outcome, his chances of being in the Yankees opening day rotation after suffering an injury this late in camp are not good.
So were the Yankees sold damaged goods by the Mariners in the trade for Jesus Montero? After starting off last season with an 8-6 record and a 3.03 ERA, Pineda struggled to win only one more game, and his ERA dropped to 3.74 as he battled with velocity issues.
Did the Mariners see troubles on the horizon? Why else would they trade their up and coming star prospect for a player they had already refused to trade an aging Cliff Lee for? Granted the Yankees performed a full physical on Pineda before the trade was official, but if Seattle’s scouts saw the velocity drop, and knew it wasn’t a mechanics issue, they may have used the warning signs to dump him for whatever value they could.
It is possible that it’s just a freak injury, and we do not even know the seriousness of it yet. Or maybe it is just a mechanics issue that has caused the velocity drop. Whatever the reason, if I am Brian Cashman I would be wondering if the Mariners pulled one over on me.
Morning Coffee and Links
Pineda losing grip on Job
Pineda needs a shoulder to cry on
Swisher should be back in action Sunday
Freddy survives again
The Yankees will take on Houston today at 1:05 ET. Phil Hughes gets the start.
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
Morning Coffee and Links
News and notes from around the Yankee Universe
The Yanks fell to the Orioles yesterday 4-3, but the good news is Raul Ibanez hit another home run, and it looks like he might be getting his swing in order.
Tonight the Yankees will face the Phillies in Tampa. Michael Pineda will take the mound with hopes of securing a spot in the rotation. First pitch is at 7:05 ET and will be televised on the MLB Network.
Nova hopes history repeats itself
A-Rod in store for a monster year
Girardi faces a host of possibilities for rotation
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
News and notes from around the Yankee Universe
The Yankees go against the Orioles today at 7:00 ET in Tampa. D.J. Mitchell will take the mound for New York. Yesterday the Yankees played Atlanta to a 5-5 tie, with Eric Chavez leading the way going 3-4 with three RBI.
Coffee & Links
3-4-5 starters need to add up for the Yanks
Swisher out to make amends for fall failures
Kei Igawa didn’t want to go
Jack Cust signs a minor league deal with Yanks
How wrong can Joe Girardi be?
N.Y. Post reporting Freddy Garcia will be the fifth starter
Then there’s this:
Despite what's out there, I still believe Garcia winds up in the bullpen. Makes the most sense.—
Mark Feinsand (@BloggingBombers) March 29, 2012
And this:
Why do I think Nova is in the rotation? He's pitching in the minors today so the Os don't see him. Why? That's who his 1st start is against.—
Mark Feinsand (@BloggingBombers) March 29, 2012
So I guess what we can assume is someone will be in the Yankees rotation, right?
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
Opening Day in ….Japan?
Opening Day at the Great American Ballpark
The Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners played the first regular season game of the 2012 MLB season this morning in Japan, with the Mariners winning 3-1 in 11 innings. But I refuse to call today opening day.
Opening day for America’s past time needs to be in America. With American things. The Star Spangled Banner, fly overs, legends throwing out first pitches. Hot Dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Opening day should be a day filled with games from early afternoon to late night, not one game at six o’clock in the morning. Opening day needs to be a celebration of baseball, and being an American. Not a platform to market America’s game to another country.
I understand the need for MLB to grow their brand over seas. I also understand the passion the Japanese have for baseball, and for their Japanese heroes playing in the U.S. But the games should not be the first. Why not do what the NFL has done with their games in England, and have them in the middle of the season? I understand travel is an issue, but MLB can schedule around it. Another option is having some spring training games in other countries.
The first game of every season should be played by the team that was the first to ever play professional baseball: The Cincinnati Reds, played in a stadium whose name represents opening day itself, the Great American Ballpark. Start it early in the day and have a full slate of games to follow, with every Major League team playing that day.
Opening should be special – and American, just like the game itself.
News and notes from around the Yankee Universe
The Yankees will take on the Braves at Disney World today at 1:00 ET. Here is the lineup:
Eduardo Nunez SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Raul Ibanez DH
Eric Chavez 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
Dewayne Wise CF
Chris Dickerson LF
Justin Maxwell RF
Hiroki Kuroda RHP
The game will be televised on ESPN.
Morning Coffee & Links
Being a dad most important to Joba
Andy Pettitte trying to get his legs
Swisher impressed by Pettitte
Magic Johnson to buy Dodgers
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
Morning Coffee and Links
News and notes from around the Yankee Universe
Phil Hughes to be Yanks fifth starter
A-Rod gets ribbed
Jamie Moyer knows Pettittes challenges
Joba Chamberlain to meet with reporters today
Pettitte gets closer to game action
Sons of players are worlds apart
First Pitch: Don’t trade Freddy
The Yankees will face the Blue Jays tonight at 7:05 ET in Tampa. C.C. Sabathia will take the mound.
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
News and Notes from around the Yankees Universe
Morning Coffee and Links
Pineda’s velocity still questioned
Pineda gets it done with just enough
The unsung heroes of spring
The Yankees have an off day today. Phil Hughes will pitch to minor league guys as it was his day to pitch.
Coming up in Cup of Coffee: Fantasy projections for all Yankees players!
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
News and notes from around the Yankee Universe
Morning Coffee and Links
Freddy Garcia tames the Tigers
Yankees have done a poor job landing lefties
Q&A with Dellin Betances
Searching for meaning in meaningless games
Joba’s outlook a little brighter
Yankees fallen star
The Yankees will face the Tigers again today in Tampa. First pitch is at 1:05 ET. The Yankees will be using all of their regulars today with the exception of Nick Swisher who is still sidelined with a groin injury. Michael Pineda will get the start. Here is the lineup:
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Russell Martin C
Andruw Jones DH
Eduardo Nunez RF
Brett Gardner LF
Michael Pineda P
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
Morning Coffee and Links
News and notes from around the Yankee Universe
Joba Chamberlain suffers career threatening injury
Red Sox minor-leaguer rips Yankees
Joba’s future in doubt
Jeter feels fine
What happens without Joba
The Yankees will take on Detroit today at 1:05 ET. Freddy Garcia will take the mound.
Here’s to a great day of baseball!
Joba Chamberlain hurt; Morning Coffee and Links
Joba Chamberlain suffered a serious ankle injury playing with his son yesterday, and has undergone surgery that will end any chance he had of pitching this year. It is a sad turn of events for Chamberlain, who was in the process of rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and was very excited about his chances to make an impact with the Yankees this year. I hope for a speedy recovery for Joba, and that he will be able to pitch in 2013.
The Yankees play a pair of split squad games today. The Twins visit the Yankees in Tampa with Ivan Nova taking the mound, and the other New York squad travels to Clearwater to face the Phillies, where Hiroki Kuroda will pitch. Both games start at 1:05 ET.
Morning Coffee and Links
Bobby Valentine is mad
Phil Hughes has the edge
Freddy Garcia would consider a trade
C.C. Sabathia is getting more athletic
Here’s to a great day of baseball! (with no ties!)
Derek Castle
