Yankees Weekend Roundup

The Yankees were in action this weekend, however, I was not. So to catch all my faithful readers (not even my mom reads this) up on their Yankee news I thought I would do a roundup of the big stories I missed over the weekend.

Game Action

On Saturday, the Yankees took on the Minnesota Twins for the second time in as many days. They lost 3-7 as Joba Chamberlain started and got knocked around. Don’t read too much into it, after the game he said he was working on his fastball and was just taking it easy because it’s so early.

Dan Giese, Jose Veras, Michael Dunn, Kei Igawa, Kanekoa Texeira, and David Robertson pitched. Giese allowed four runs and Robertson one. Everyone else pitched scoreless baseball.

On Sunday, the Yankees lost again, this time to the Cincinnati Reds 11-13. Alfredo Aceves started and gave up three runs, Jonathan Albaladejo, JB Cox, Damaso Marte, Brian Bruney, Christian Garcia, and Mark Melancon followed.

Brett Gardner, who is fighting Melky Cabrera for the starting center fielder role, hit his second home run of the spring. Even though spring training stats don’t matter much, Gardner has been much more impressive so far.

Catching up on Injuries: Jorge Posada sat both games with a sore shoulder, although he told reporters that it felt better Sunday that it did Saturday when he was scratched.

Edwar Ramirez still hasn’t thrown yet this spring. He was earlier diagnosed with bursitis in his shoulder.

Jason Johnson has been cleared to play and was supposed to throw a 35-pitch bullpen session today.

Both Jesus Montero and Albaladejo were injured in Sunday’s loss to the Reds. Montero strained his right groin when he went down to block a Melancon pitch in the dirt. Albaladejo was forced to leave after a come backer off the bat of Jeff Keppinger got him in the calf.

It is still uncertain just how much time Montero will miss, although he was never expected to last long in camp. He’s just a prospect getting a chance to show off. Albaladejo was apparently well enough to keep pitching, but Girardi took him off the mound as a precaution.

World Baseball Classic

Five Yankees left the team after Sunday’s game to report to their WBC teams. Derek Jeter left to represent Team USA as the face of baseball.

Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, and Marte also left to join Team Domincan Republic who is usually my favorite to win. With nearly all of their players working out with a guy connected to steroids I wonder why.

Francisco Cervelli also left to be with Team Italy, who doesn’t take enough steroids and has no shot at winning. I’ve wondered all spring why Cervelli doesn’t stay in camp to try to be the first catcher called up if Posada’s shoulder is shaky, but maybe he wants to meet Mike Piazza more than play for the Yankees.