Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

Updated on Tex, Youk, and Tonight's Game

2013-06-18T20:17:00.001-04:00

Here's an update on both injured Yankees via Bryan Hoch:

The Yankees placed first baseman Mark Teixeira on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with inflammation in his right wrist, and are hopeful that the minimum 15 days will be enough for Teixeira to calm his wrist down. He said that it affects him most when hitting left-handed, and that allowing it time to heal should help him regain his mechanics.

New York recalled outfielder Zoilo Almonte and right-hander Adam Warren from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in corresponding moves, while designating right-hander Chris Bootcheck for assignment.

Additionally, the Yankees received an unfortunate report from Kevin Youkilis’ doctor visit in California. Dr. Robert Watkins will perform surgery on Thursday to repair a herniated disc in Youkilis’ back; he is expected to miss 10-12 weeks, according to general manager Brian Cashman.

Just awful news on both counts. This season is getting ugly fast.

Speaking of ugly, this weather blows and has forced the Yankees to postpone tonight's game. It will be made up tomorrow afternoon as part of a day-night, separate admission doubleheader tomorrow. For some more information on Yankees vs Dodgers tickets, read this post from earlier today.

Yankees Tickets: Previewing the Dodgers Series

2013-06-18T18:08:00.000-04:00

When the Dodgers last won the World Series as New York City, a ticket to Game 4 could be had for $7.35, or less than the cost of a hot dog or a beer at the New Yankee Stadium. The last time the Dodgers visited the Bronx was for the 1981 world series, and the face price of the Old Yankee Stadium Loge seats was $20. Times have obviously changed, and for last year's World Series, the minimum face price for the Giants-Tigers World Series was $110. For game one of 2013 Yankees vs. Dodgers series, though, there are a handful of tickets available for $20, most of them for tomorrow night's game. While you can find all Yankees tickets from our partners at TiqIQ. They also did a little advanced scouting and identified a couple deals below, both from the Yankees:

Game One, Tonight: Section 206: $71 w/ fees. $20 below anything else on the market. CLICK HERE

Game Two, Tomorrow: Section 135 and 136: $86 with fees. $18 below anything else on the market. CLICK HERE

Right now the probability of a 2013 Yankees/Dodgers world series is extremely low. The Dodgers enter the series last in the NL West, but only seven games out of the playoff hunt. The Yankees are in third in the AL East, three games behind the Red Sox. With former Yankee Don Mattingly in the opposing dugout, though, the game is sure to evoke memories, even for those too young to remember 1981. Mattingly only played two post season games in Yankee stadium, both in 1995. In those game, he batted .500 and led the team into Seattle with a good chance to return home for the ALCS. As we all now know, Edgar Martinez and Ken Girffy Jr. had other plans. Despite the Yankees' dramatic loss, there was some solace in knowing that the Captain had seized the moment and delivered big on the post season stage. While his legacy as a great Yankee was already fortified, those two games dispelled any questions about how great he could be in October. While we're still months from October, these two games at Yankee stadium may be critical to dispel the speculation about his tenure as Dodgers manager. A dismal performance on the biggest stage in baseball could be the final straw. Two wins could be a turning point in the season. If the past is any predictor, Mattingly will make sure his guys leave it all out on the field.

Updates on Pineda, Youk & Wang

2013-06-10T10:59:00.000-04:00

- Michael Pineda is one step closer to a return after a successful outing in the Florida State League:

- Kevin Youkilis missed Sunday's game in Seattle with lower back stiffness, but the injury isn't anything major. “It’s nothing like it was before,” Youkilis said. “Just needs a little rest.”

- And in case you missed it, Chien Ming Wang opted out of his Yankees contract last week and signed and will start for Toronto on Tuesday against the White Sox. Wang had a 2.33 ERA in nine starts at Triple-A. Personally, I would have liked to see him get a chance to start the for the Yankees.

MLB Preparing to Suspend Players Linked To Biogenesis, Including A-Rod

2013-06-05T02:25:00.003-04:00

Here's the story via ESPN:

In case you were wondering about Cano, John Harper reports that he isn't part of this upcoming wave of suspensions because "according to a Yankee source, there has been no indication from MLB that Robinson Cano is in danger of being suspended." Hopefully, that is true.

By now I'm sure we're all pretty sick of A-Rod and everything that has come along with him. I know I am, and I don't care if he's suspended. The Yankees probably don't care either.

Phelps Update: X-rays Negative

2013-05-24T23:47:00.001-04:00

David Phelps had to leave tonight's win over the Rays in the 8th inning after being hit on the arm by a line drive. Luckily, the x-rays were negative and the Yankees are saying it's just a right forearm contusion. As of now, his status for his next start remains unclear.

Granderson Out At Least Four Weeks With Broken Pinky

2013-05-24T23:41:00.000-04:00

In 8 games since returning from his first DL stint, Granderson was hitting .250 with a homer and an RBI, along with six strike outs.

Pineda Getting Closer

2013-05-24T13:07:00.000-04:00

From Andy McCullough:

Pineda, a 24-year-old righty, threw five innings in an extended-spring game at the team’s minor-league complex in Tampa, Fla. His fastball velocity sat at 93 mph, general manager Brian Cashman said. After one more game at the complex, Pineda could begin a rehabilitation assignment, a 30-day jaunt that could lead him to the majors.

“I’m happy so far that he’s healthy,” Cashman said. “But he’s obviously got a ways to go. We’ll see. But so far so good.”

... The velocity on Thursday was encouraging: Pineda sat at 94.7 mph during his rookie season in 2011, according to FanGraphs. But Cashman cannot count on him just yet.

“He’s pitching in chain-link baseball right now, the extended-spring program,” Cashman said. “It’s good that he’s got a healthy arm and stuff. But he hasn’t gotten into the minors leagues, and he’s hasn’t moved up the ladder yet, with the higher competition. Until he’s an active player, he’s got hurdles.”

Great news. If Pineda can be the guy he was in Seattle, the Yankees will really have a starting rotation few teams can match. Add that to the great start the team has had and the injured offensive players coming back, and the Yankees may be ready to steamroll this division.

Speaking of that rotation, Andy Pettitte is working his way back from the DL. He played catch for the first time and reportedly felt "really good". He will throw again today.

Tex Could Begin Rehab Assignment on Tuesday

2013-05-24T12:39:00.001-04:00

Granderson is in the Lineup, Hafner Going For MRI

2013-05-14T16:02:00.000-04:00

Here's tonight's Yankees lineup:

Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells DH
Curtis Granderson LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Jayson Nix SS
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chris Nelson 3B
Austin Romine C

CC Sabathia P

Also, Travis Hafner is experience some soreness in his right shoulder and is headed for an MRI. Expect him to miss at least a few game.

Granderson Activated

2013-05-14T15:17:00.002-04:00

Curtis Granderson has been activated and I assume will be available tonight. Vidal Nuno has been optioned to Scranton to make room on the roster.