Brian Bruney has made the club. So has Jonathan Albaladejo (the Mientkiewicz of pitchers, spelling-wise). Traber made it, as expected, and Ohlendorf survived, as we suspected. But Scott Patterson (0.00 ERA, 7.2 IP) was the unkindest cut of all - and Joe Girardi said he hated every minute of these one-on-one sessions in his office, which ended about a half-hour ago at Dolphin Stadium.
Patterson would've been a great opening day story. Two years ago, he opened the season with Lancaster of the Atlantic (independent) League. But Patterson's parting words in the manager's office made Girardi smile: "I'll go out and get prepared in Triple-A, and be ready when you call.''
Igawa and Rasner will go into the starting rotation at Scranton. With 8 relievers, there's no need for a long man (Pettitte goes on the DL to make room, but he'll start next Saturday at the Stadium - as long as he gets through Sunday's minor-league start OK).
Anyway, here's your Yankee roster for opening day:
Starters: Wang, Mussina, Hughes, Kennedy (4)
Relievers: Rivera, Hawkins (0.00 ERA, 8.2 IP), Farnsworth, Chamberlain, Ohlendorf, Albaladejo, Traber, Bruney (8)
Infielders: Giambi, Cano, Jeter, A-Rod, Betemit, Ensberg (6)
Outfielders: Matsui, Damon, Abreu, Cabrera, Duncan (5)
Catchers: Posada, Molina (2)
I didn't think Bruney would've made it this far, given his poor attitude last year. I'm not really a fan of this guy. Patterson should take his spot. If not he'll, Patterson will be in the Yanks bullpen before it's all said and done.
The Yanks will have to the best bench baseball.
Posted by: E-ROC | March 29, 2008 at 03:04 PM