Pinstripe Posts

Posada scratched

Jorge Posada has been scratched from today's lineup, due to a minor soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. "I'm not concerned at all,'' said Posada, who wanted to play but was kept out of the lineup as a precaution by manager Joe Girardi.

Posada said he hurt himself in the on-deck circle Thursday, doing an over-the-head exercise with the bat -- something he normally does during the season, but should not have done this soon after surgery. Still, Posada hit a home run in that at-bat, and played again yesterday.

This morning, Posada woke up with some extra soreness, but no tests are planned and the organization is not overly concerned. "I think this is going to take 2-3 days,'' said Posada, who will not throw tomorrow (and probably won't throw on Monday, either).

Here's today's Yankee lineup vs. Francisco Liriano and the Twins: 1. Damon, LF; 2. Jeter, SS; 3. Teixeira, 1B; 4. A-Rod, 3B; 5. Posada, DH; 6. Cano, 2B; 7. Swisher, RF; 8. Molina, C; 9. Cabrera, CF. SP: Joba Chamberlain.

At least not yet. He is here on Field 2, taking ground balls. Most of the stars are here while the rest of the team is in Fort Myers. So, no word yet on whether or not A-Rod has met with MLB investigators. This is Bernie Williams' final day in camp, and he is about to take BP with Matsui, Teixeira and A-Rod.

  Melky Cabrera said he wanted No. 53 because it's a number he's worn all his career, starting in the Dominican -- not because he worshipped the ground Bobby Abreu tiptoed around in right field. Brett Tomko happily accepted No. 28 in exchange.

Actually, Tomko said he was hoping for No. 45 (formerly Pavano property, now Jason Johnson's number) because he's already worn 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40. He'll also wear No. 1,209 if it means a job here.

Speaking of Abreu, the Angels outfielder told Chris Russo on Sirius Radio today that, "It really surprised me (the Yankees) let me go like that. There wasn't any interest (in me).'' Brian Cashman played that one right, not offering arbitration, but it's unclear if Abreu would have accepted it.

 Anyway, the Yanks have plenty of corner outfielders, and both Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher will make the trip Friday morning to Fort Myers, along with Jorge Posada (DH), and the battling center field tandem of Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.

An hour ago, I got back from our annual beat writers' dinner out with the manager, and it's fun to talk informally with someone like Joe Girardi about observations in the game - and to hear stories from his playing days. It's back to the grind early - 7:45 a.m. clubhouse time before the two-and-a-half hour trip to Fort Myers, where Ian Kennedy will start and 6-foot-10 Andrew Brackman will also pitch.

Both Don Zimmer and George Steinbrenner were in the house today, but were naturally apart. Zim was on the field with the Rays, in uniform, having recovered his speech after a stroke this winter. Well before the game, the Boss ventured down in a wheelchair - a necessity due to his two bad knees - to visit friends at Max's Cafe, the stadium cafeteria. But he did not dine there. How times have changed.

First up, the subject of Yuri Sucart. Brian Cashman was asked about A-Rod's ride home from Dunedin yesterday with cousin Yuri, the man who was said to have obtained and injected A-Rod with steroids from '01 to '03. "It's been taken care of,'' Cashman said, without elaboration.

Meanwhile, George Steinbrenner is here, watching the game seated between daugher Jessica and Clyde King. Hal Steinbrener is seated nearby, as is Hank and Felix Lopez. The Rays got a pretty huge ovation upon their introduction - they are the AL Champs, and this is Tampa Bay. And A-Rod got a decidedly mixed reception - with a lot of loud boos among the cheers.

A-Rod has whiffed in his first at-bat. Phil Hughes' two innings are done. He did not allow a hit or a run, but he hit two batters and issued a walk. He had two strikeouts. Ian Kennedy is pitching tomorrow at Ft. Myers, vs. Minnesota. This is quite a different spring for them as opposed to last year at this time, when they were Nos. 4 and 5 in the Yanks' rotation.

Today's lineup vs. Tampa Bay at GMS Field has been posted: 1. Damon, LF; 2. Jeter, SS, 3. Teixeira,1B; 4. A-Rod,3B; 5. Cano,2B; 6. Nady,RF; 7. Posada, DH; 8. Molina, C; 9. Cabrera, CF SP: Phil Hughes The Rays lineup has Morgan Ensberg batting cleanup. Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Jon Albaladejo and Mark Melancon will also pitch for your New York Yanks.

  Comes word from Yankees P.R. man Jason Zillo that Alex Rodriguez called his home run in the dugout. During batting practice, A-Rod told Zillo that he'd hit one during his second at-bat -- and then he did.

The Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 6-1, and a few minutes ago Reggie Jackson related a story from his dinner with A-Rod last night. On Tuesday afternoon, a stern Hank Steinbrenner told Mr. October to relay a message to Mr. Rodriguez: "You tell him to hit the damn ball, and hit it when it matters.''

Jackson said he was "disappointed'' when he first learned of A-Rod's steroids past with Texas, and admitted to a feeling of anger at times. Reggie is 10 homers ahead of A-Rod's 553 on the all-time list. But he hasn't told A-Rod about his disappointment yet. He's too busy trying to pick up his friend.

And Jackson related this personal message to Rodriguez: "My dad said you can control the story as long as you have a chance to hit. Edit your own story with the bat. As long as he does that, he has a chance to change things around him.''

In his third, and final plate appearance today at Dunedin Stadium, Alex Rodriguez walked on four pitches against Toronto right-hander Rick Bauer. We're in the top of the 5th, and Nick Swisher (bases-loaded walk) and Juan Miranda (RBI single) have given the Yanks a 6-1 lead.

After hearing a mix of cheers and boos in his first two at-bats, A-Rod heard mostly cheers as he strolled to the plate this inning - guessing about a 70-30 percentage. Rodriguez also made a very good play to his backhand side to end the bottom of the fourth, with a runner at third.

  And on his second at-bat, on his second swing, Alex Rodriguez hit a home run. It was a high shot to left-center, off left-hander Ricky Romero. A two-run shot (Robby Cano got clipped with a pitch on the bill of his helmet right before). It's 3-1, Yankees, in the top of the fourth.

Rodriguez received another mixed ovation when he walked up to the plate, but heard virtually all cheers as he rounded the bases.

During the at-bat, he took a ball outside, then took a strike and another ball outside. On the 2-1 pitch, he finally took a swing, and fouled it off. The next pitch, the 2-2 pitch, was the ball he crushed out to left-center.

Most of his teammates came out of the dugout to greet him, and to congratulate him. Incidentally, in the first inning, A-Rod made an excellent play of a short hop toward his left and threw the runner out at first.

Brett Gardner has hit a leadoff home run off Toronto lefty Brett Cecil, on the second pitch of the afternoon. Jeter is up. A-Rod will bat this inning. First pitch was 1:03 (a strike). 72 degrees.

The lefty-hitting Gardner ripped it over the right-center field wall, and somewhere back in Tampa, Melky Cabrera winced. Girardi plans to alternate using Cabrera and Gardner to start games in center during the Grapefruit League season, so Cabrera should be in center for tomorrow's home opener.

Here comes A-Rod.....loud reaction, for Dunedin. A mix of boos and cheers. Sounds like 50-50 to me.

A-Rod takes ball one. Takes inside, ball two. Takes a questionable called strike on the outside corner, fastball. Takes another fastball outside, ball three.

On the 3-1 pitch, A-Rod takes inside, ball four. Five pitches, didn't swing the bat. He's on first base with two out (Jeter grounded out, Cano struck out).

Twins are in

Here's today's Yankee lineup vs. Francisco Liriano and the Twins: 1. Damon, LF; 2. Jeter, SS; 3. Teixeira, 1B; 4. A-Rod, 3B; 5. Posada, DH; 6. Cano, 2B; 7. Swisher, RF; 8. Molina, C; 9. Cabrera, CF. SP: Joba Chamberlain.

A-Rod fields grounders, not questions

At least not yet. He is here on Field 2, taking ground balls. Most of the stars are here while the rest of the team is in Fort Myers. So, no word yet on whether or not A-Rod has met with MLB investigators. This is Bernie Williams' final day in camp, and he is about to take BP with Matsui, Teixeira and A-Rod.

Got 53?

  Melky Cabrera said he wanted No. 53 because it's a number he's worn all his career, starting in the Dominican -- not because he worshipped the ground Bobby Abreu tiptoed around in right field. Brett Tomko happily accepted No. 28 in exchange.

Actually, Tomko said he was hoping for No. 45 (formerly Pavano property, now Jason Johnson's number) because he's already worn 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40. He'll also wear No. 1,209 if it means a job here.

Speaking of Abreu, the Angels outfielder told Chris Russo on Sirius Radio today that, "It really surprised me (the Yankees) let me go like that. There wasn't any interest (in me).'' Brian Cashman played that one right, not offering arbitration, but it's unclear if Abreu would have accepted it.

 Anyway, the Yanks have plenty of corner outfielders, and both Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher will make the trip Friday morning to Fort Myers, along with Jorge Posada (DH), and the battling center field tandem of Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.

An hour ago, I got back from our annual beat writers' dinner out with the manager, and it's fun to talk informally with someone like Joe Girardi about observations in the game - and to hear stories from his playing days. It's back to the grind early - 7:45 a.m. clubhouse time before the two-and-a-half hour trip to Fort Myers, where Ian Kennedy will start and 6-foot-10 Andrew Brackman will also pitch.

Both Don Zimmer and George Steinbrenner were in the house today, but were naturally apart. Zim was on the field with the Rays, in uniform, having recovered his speech after a stroke this winter. Well before the game, the Boss ventured down in a wheelchair - a necessity due to his two bad knees - to visit friends at Max's Cafe, the stadium cafeteria. But he did not dine there. How times have changed.

Game time at GMS

First up, the subject of Yuri Sucart. Brian Cashman was asked about A-Rod's ride home from Dunedin yesterday with cousin Yuri, the man who was said to have obtained and injected A-Rod with steroids from '01 to '03. "It's been taken care of,'' Cashman said, without elaboration.

Meanwhile, George Steinbrenner is here, watching the game seated between daugher Jessica and Clyde King. Hal Steinbrener is seated nearby, as is Hank and Felix Lopez. The Rays got a pretty huge ovation upon their introduction - they are the AL Champs, and this is Tampa Bay. And A-Rod got a decidedly mixed reception - with a lot of loud boos among the cheers.

A-Rod has whiffed in his first at-bat. Phil Hughes' two innings are done. He did not allow a hit or a run, but he hit two batters and issued a walk. He had two strikeouts. Ian Kennedy is pitching tomorrow at Ft. Myers, vs. Minnesota. This is quite a different spring for them as opposed to last year at this time, when they were Nos. 4 and 5 in the Yanks' rotation.

Home opener at GMS

Today's lineup vs. Tampa Bay at GMS Field has been posted: 1. Damon, LF; 2. Jeter, SS, 3. Teixeira,1B; 4. A-Rod,3B; 5. Cano,2B; 6. Nady,RF; 7. Posada, DH; 8. Molina, C; 9. Cabrera, CF SP: Phil Hughes The Rays lineup has Morgan Ensberg batting cleanup. Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Jon Albaladejo and Mark Melancon will also pitch for your New York Yanks.

A-Rod called his shot

  Comes word from Yankees P.R. man Jason Zillo that Alex Rodriguez called his home run in the dugout. During batting practice, A-Rod told Zillo that he'd hit one during his second at-bat -- and then he did.

The Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 6-1, and a few minutes ago Reggie Jackson related a story from his dinner with A-Rod last night. On Tuesday afternoon, a stern Hank Steinbrenner told Mr. October to relay a message to Mr. Rodriguez: "You tell him to hit the damn ball, and hit it when it matters.''

Jackson said he was "disappointed'' when he first learned of A-Rod's steroids past with Texas, and admitted to a feeling of anger at times. Reggie is 10 homers ahead of A-Rod's 553 on the all-time list. But he hasn't told A-Rod about his disappointment yet. He's too busy trying to pick up his friend.

And Jackson related this personal message to Rodriguez: "My dad said you can control the story as long as you have a chance to hit. Edit your own story with the bat. As long as he does that, he has a chance to change things around him.''

Batting 1.000

In his third, and final plate appearance today at Dunedin Stadium, Alex Rodriguez walked on four pitches against Toronto right-hander Rick Bauer. We're in the top of the 5th, and Nick Swisher (bases-loaded walk) and Juan Miranda (RBI single) have given the Yanks a 6-1 lead.

After hearing a mix of cheers and boos in his first two at-bats, A-Rod heard mostly cheers as he strolled to the plate this inning - guessing about a 70-30 percentage. Rodriguez also made a very good play to his backhand side to end the bottom of the fourth, with a runner at third.

Home run, A-Rod

  And on his second at-bat, on his second swing, Alex Rodriguez hit a home run. It was a high shot to left-center, off left-hander Ricky Romero. A two-run shot (Robby Cano got clipped with a pitch on the bill of his helmet right before). It's 3-1, Yankees, in the top of the fourth.

Rodriguez received another mixed ovation when he walked up to the plate, but heard virtually all cheers as he rounded the bases.

During the at-bat, he took a ball outside, then took a strike and another ball outside. On the 2-1 pitch, he finally took a swing, and fouled it off. The next pitch, the 2-2 pitch, was the ball he crushed out to left-center.

Most of his teammates came out of the dugout to greet him, and to congratulate him. Incidentally, in the first inning, A-Rod made an excellent play of a short hop toward his left and threw the runner out at first.

1-0, Yankees (Gardner homers, A-Rod walks)

Brett Gardner has hit a leadoff home run off Toronto lefty Brett Cecil, on the second pitch of the afternoon. Jeter is up. A-Rod will bat this inning. First pitch was 1:03 (a strike). 72 degrees.

The lefty-hitting Gardner ripped it over the right-center field wall, and somewhere back in Tampa, Melky Cabrera winced. Girardi plans to alternate using Cabrera and Gardner to start games in center during the Grapefruit League season, so Cabrera should be in center for tomorrow's home opener.

Here comes A-Rod.....loud reaction, for Dunedin. A mix of boos and cheers. Sounds like 50-50 to me.

A-Rod takes ball one. Takes inside, ball two. Takes a questionable called strike on the outside corner, fastball. Takes another fastball outside, ball three.

On the 3-1 pitch, A-Rod takes inside, ball four. Five pitches, didn't swing the bat. He's on first base with two out (Jeter grounded out, Cano struck out).