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| Jason Giambi has only six hits in his career off of Red Sox starting pitcher Paul Byrd, who the Yankees play Wednesday, but four of them are home runs. |
Our View: Giambi has six hits in 19 at-bats, which is a .316 average, but his slugging percentage is a monstrous .947. Despite Giambi's recent struggles, he could offer fantasy teams a homer or two if history is to be believed. |
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| Alex Rodriguez flopped all night when the New York Yankees needed a big hit, according to the Associated Press. The three-time MVP finished 0-for-5 and was booed loudly as New York fell six games behind Boston, which leads the AL wild-card race by a slim margin over Minnesota. Rodriguez also committed an error at third base. |
Our View: Rodriguez flied out with two on in the fifth. With the Yankees trailing 7-3 in the seventh, he came up with the bases loaded and grounded into an inning-ending double play against Justin Masterson. That left A-Rod 1-for-10 this season with the bases loaded—0-for-7 when there were less than two outs. A-Rod, who struck out twice, also bounced into a double play that ended the third. He has grounded into nine double plays in his last 19 games. |
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| The Yankees got the hits but failed to convert scoring opportunities, falling 7-3 to the Red Sox. Outfielder Johnny Damon did his part, hitting 2-for-4 with one walk and two homers on the night, finishing with two RBIs and two runs scored. |
Our View: Those are just Damon's 10th and 11th homers on the season, but they are his second and third in the last two days. He has gone 9-for-26 over the past six games, totaling six RBIs and eight runs scored over that span. |
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| Yankee reliever-turning-starter Joba Chamberlain threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Monday in an empty Yankee Stadium under the supervision of pitching coach Dave Eiland, according to MLB.com. He is scheduled to ramp up to 45 pitches on Thursday, and said he has started throwing harder just to see how his arm responds. "It felt better than last time as far as strength-wise," Chamberlain said of Monday's session. "Playing catch, you let a couple go, [and] I let a couple go in the bullpen." |
Our View: Chamberlain has been on the disabled list since leaving an August 4th start at Texas with what the Yankees announced was right rotator cuff tendinitis. He has worked on a program with head trainer Gene Monahan, and tossed his full complement of pitches. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that the organization had options of where they could send Chamberlain. Both the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and Double-A Trenton Thunder have qualified for postseason play, and could provide game situations for Chamberlain to work toward a big league return. |
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| Hideki Matsui went 1-for-4 with a walk in the Yankees win over the Orioles. He also scored a run in his sixth game since coming off the DL. |
Our View: Matsui only hitting .182 since rejoining the team, but he does have two home runs. It's likely his batting average will improve in time, however. |
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| Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano had a nice game in his team's 8-7 win over the Orioles. Cano went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI while scoring two runs. |
Our View: Cano is hitting .299 in August, and has seven multi-hit games on the month. He has had a solid last two months and despite his early struggles, is on his way to putting up respectable numbers for fantasy owners. |
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| The Yankees seem to be in the dumps as we stand, fighting to stay in the playoff mix (and failing), but the eye towards tomorrow indicates the team will use the experience to rebuild with new-found dollars for free agency, according to the Boston Globe. Jason Giambi has a $21 million option that will not be picked up. Bobby Abreu is also up and seems likely to go. Mike Mussina is at the end of his deal. The four-year, $39 million pact of Carl Pavano is ending. Half-year rental catcher Ivan Rodriguez will likely be gone. Andy Pettitte also goes year to year, and while his often-balky left elbow has held up well, he has not committed to next season yet. There's the uncertainty of Jorge Posada, who wants to catch next year, though the Yankees have no idea how much his surgically repaired right shoulder will bounce back. |
Our View: That's more than enough dollars with more than a few players that will be available to eat it up should the Yanks take it all to market. Improved pitching will be priority #1, but only time will tell how they roll the dice. With Alex Rodriguez secured, Derek Jeter returning, and Xavier Nady all but certain to see a long-term commitment from the Yankees, it is fair to suggest they will serve as the battery for a full-blown reconstruction effort. |
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| Hideki Matsui had a solo homer Saturday, his second in five games since returning from the DL. |
Our View: It's good to see Hideki show some pop right off the bat. |
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| Jason Giambi had an RBI single and two-run homer in the Yankees' win over Baltimore Saturday. |
Our View: Giambi is hitting just .233 this month but has five homers and 14 RBI. |
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| It wasn't pretty, but Carl Pavano escaped with a win Saturday in his first start with the Yankees since last April. The righty allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings. |
Our View: Pavano was understandably rusty, but this was a positive outing. Hopefully he can improve the next time out. |
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| The Yankees optioned Billy Traber to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Saturday. |
Our View: Traber has struggled in his multiple stints with the Yanks this year, holding a 7.02 ERA. |
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| The Yankees activated Carl Pavano from the DL Saturday. He will start tonight against the Orioles. |
Our View: Pavano will be making his third start since 2005. He should be monitored but is too risky of a fantasy proposition to pick up immediately. |
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| Joba Chamberlain threw 35 pitches today from a mound. They were all fastballs and changeups, according to Newsday. "It was good, I warmed up quick, I got loose real quick," said Chamberlain, who is recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis. |
Our View: Manager Joe Girardi didn't comment on when Joba would pitch in a game, but the right-hander estimated that it would be at least a week. It's still not clear whether Chamberlain will come back as a starter or reliever. |
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| Phil Hughes was rocked for eight runs while pitching for Triple-A Scranton against Lehigh Valley Friday, according to the NY Post. He allowed 10 hits, over a mere 3.1 innings of work. |
Our View: Hughes was terrible over six games with the Yankees this season, and isn't having better success in the minors right now either. Fantasy owners should let him go if he is still on rosters. |
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| Yankees infielder Cody Ransom could not have possibly dreamed of a better start. After homering in his first major league at-bat Sunday, Ransom took his second at-bat and hit another bomb, a three-run shot when he pinch-hit for Jason Giambi in the ninth inning of the Yankees win over the Orioles. |
Our View: Ransom is now 2-for-2 with two home runs, five RBI, a 1.000 average and OBP, and a slugging percentage of 4.000. Not bad for his only two at-bats in a week. |
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| Bobby Abreu collected five hits in five at-bats for the Yankees to help take down Baltimore by a score of 9-4. |
Our View: Abreu also scored twice, drove in a run and was caught stealing. It figures he was trying to get to second base because each of his hits were singles. Still, fantasy owners have nothing to complain about. |
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| With a first inning single off of Orioles hurler Radhames Liz, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter saw his career hit total reach 2,500, according to The Sports Network. |
Our View: Jeter was having a ho-hum type of season, but has seen his average rise from .280 to .297 before Friday's game after hitting .392 so far in August. He has always hit for a high average, and will be at 3,000 hits by 2011 at the latest. |
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| As expected, Joba Chamberlain increased his throwing program to 20 throws on flat ground from 60 feet to a squatting catcher, according to the NY Post. He is recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis and said, "I let a couple go and it felt good." |
Our View: He will throw 35 pitches off a mound tomorrow but will be limited to fastballs and change-ups. Manager Joe Girardi does not have a plan for him beyond Saturday, but does not expect him back in New York until early September. At that point, it may be as a reliever.
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| Mike Mussina, who is looking for his 17th win of the season tonight at Baltimore, has won six of his last seven overall decisions with a 6-0 record and a 2.68 ERA in eight road starts since early April. However, the O's have been Moose's nemesis this season. Mussina has allowed 13 runs and 13 hits over 5.2 innings in two starts against his former team. |
Our View: He is 10-8 with a 4.78 ERA in 25 starts against the O's.
Consider that Brian Roberts is 20-for-42, Kevin Millar is 18-for-41 with three homers and Melvin Mora is 15-for-46 with a home run lifetime against Mussina, the Yankee right-hander is in deep tonight.
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| New York's only run production Thursday night was off the bat of Hideki Matsui. His three-run homer in the seventh inning was all the Yankees could muster against Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays losing 14-3. |
Our View: Matsui, who returned Tuesday after missing 49 games due to a sore left knee, homered for the first time since June 12 at Oakland. |
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| Sidney Ponson gave up eight hits and seven earned runs in only two innings of work in Thursday's 14-3 loss to the Blue Jays. |
Our View: The Yankees rotation is horrible. This isn't gonna change anytime soon. Expect Ponson to keep starting for the Yankees due to their lack of options. |
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| Joba Chamberlain played catch from 60 feet Thursday and is scheduled to throw off a mound on Saturday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: "It's just different being on a mound rather than just playing catch," Chamberlain said. Chamberlain is hoping to come off the disabled list early next month. |
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| Carl Pavano, who is trying to bounce back from right elbow surgery, has been chosen for Saturday's start against Baltimore, according to the AP. Thomas O'Connell (his agent) said, "Obviously, he’s very excited to be back in the big leagues and to pitch for the club. His plan and his focus was to make it back this year and, obviously, he worked extremely hard to put himself in this position."
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Our View: Pavano is worth taking a flier on in deeper AL-only leagues. He will be a risky option, but could also prove to be a pleasant surprise. |
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| The Yankees put the Jays to bed with relative ease this evening, winning 5-1 with help from shortstop Derek Jeter, going 3-for-5 at the dish with his eighth homer of the season total two RBIs and two runs scored. |
Our View: Jeter has been on fire this month, hitting .385 for the month of August coming into tonight. Over his last six games, he's gone 16-for-28. |
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| The Yankees took the Blue Jays to the woodshed this evening, laying down the 5-1 win on the arm of LHP Andy Pettitte. Pettitte pitched seven innings, allowing one run on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Pettitte moves to 13-9 on the season with an ERA of 4.17, though this is his first win in five starts. |
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| Andy Pettitte would not like to work with catcher Ivan Rodriguez again this season, according to the Journal News. |
Our View: The trade from the Tigers is not working out well, as Rodriguez is only 8-for-35 (.229) since joining the Yankees, and Pettitte is questioning his pitch-calling. |
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| Manager Joe Girardi believes Chien-Ming Wang is unlikely to be available to pitch in October if the Yankees make the playoffs, according to the NY Daily News. He is still wearing a walking boot on his injured right foot. |
Our View: It was previously believed that he may be able to pitch in the playoffs, but that no longer looks to be the case. The Yankees are 11 games back in the AL East, with 37 contests to go. |
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| Joba Chamberlain played catch on Tuesday, just as he did on Friday, Saturday and Monday. He will take the day off on Wednesday and play catch again on Thursday, the AP reports. Chamberlain is scheduled for a bullpen session on Saturday. He is on the DL due to rotator cuff tendinitis. |
Our View: The Yankees will likely wait and see how that bullpen session goes before deciding the next move. Fantasy owners will need to be patient with the young ace. |
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| Hideki Matsui went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his first game back off the DL on Tuesday night. |
Our View: Fantasy owners shouldn't read anything into the hitless night. Most of the Yankees were flummoxed by A.J. Burnett, who tossed a gem. |
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| Darrell Rasner pitched well against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. He worked 6.1 scoreless innings before allowing a solo homer and departing one out later. Rasner served up only three hits, but he settled for a no-decision. |
Our View: That's two straight pretty good outings for Rasner, which means he has probably earned himself one more start. |
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| Carl Pavano was unable to work his bullpen session on Tuesday due to a stiff neck, the New York Post reports. He suffered the injury during a minor league start on Sunday. Pavano is in the mix to start on Saturday against the Orioles. |
Our View: Pavano has had a flurry of injuries since joining the Yankees in December of 2004, and it only seems fitting that he is dealing with another ailment now. We should know his Saturday start status by Thursday. |
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| The Yankees optioned outfielder Justin Christian back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. |
Our View: The 28-year-old outfielder has shown some versatility and speed during his two stints with the Yankees this year. He could come back up when the rosters expand in September, but he won't have any fantasy value. |
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| The Yankees have activated Hideki Matsui from the 15-day DL, MLB.com reports. The outfielder had been sidelined since June 22 due to a sore left knee. |
Our View: We expect Matsui to be limited to DH duties, which means Johnny Damon will need to go back into the outfield. Fantasy owners can feel free to use Matsui, although we're worried about his balky knee holding up. |
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| Bobby Abreu has had good success against Toronto's A.J. Burnett, the pitcher he and his Yankees teammates will face off against on Tuesday. In 46 career at-bats, Abreu is hitting .326, and has coaxed 12 walks off the right-hander, leading Abreu to a career .458 on-base percentage against him. |
Our View: Despite having just one home run in August, Abreu is nonetheless hitting .303 on the month, with a healthy .378 on-base percentage. He looks to add to those numbers to the benefit of fantasy owners Tuesday. |
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| Carl Pavano could be back with the Yankees this weekend, when the team needs a fifth starter Saturday against the Orioles, according to the AP. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, Pavano allowed one run in six inning in his latest rehab start. "He's had no setbacks in his rehab at all," GM Brian Cashman said. "He's close to being ready for us, which is great." |
Our View: Phil Hughes is the Yanks' other option for Saturday. Neither pitcher would deserve immediate fantasy consideration. |
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| Manager Joe Girardi indicated that Hideki Matsui could be limited to a DH role when he is activated from the DL, according to the NY Daily News. His ailing knee has held up favorably in three rehab games, and he could be back in pinstripes as soon as Tuesday. |
Our View: Playing DH would help prevent his knee from swelling up again without the stress of running in the outfield. He could made a solid fantasy impact down the stretch, as he holds a .323 average over 69 games, with seven homers and 34 RBI. |
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| The Yankees and their fans have to be happy to see ace Mike Mussina emerging once again in 2008, today picking up his 16th win of the season by putting the Royals in the loss column. Moose pitched six innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on six hits with no walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: The overall record moves to 16-7 with a 3.35 ERA for Mussina. Since the end of June, he has been a stud, going 6-1 with six walks and 48 strikeouts. |
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| Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi smacked a grand slam home run against the Kansas City Royals today, supporting the ugly 15-6 win over KC. Giambino posted just the one hit on the day, going 1-for-4 with the four RBIs and one run scored. |
Our View: Giambi now touts 24 homers on the season, including four through August with 10 RBIs to boot. |
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| The Yankees win 15-6 over the Royals today, earning their first series victory over their last 10 tries. As you might expect, Alex Rodriguez was a big part of the equation, going 3-for-3 with two walks and his 28th home run of the season, complete with five RBIs and three runs scored on the day. |
Our View: A-Rod is hitting just .200 through August but has hits in eight of his last nine outings. Today's homer was his fourth of the month though he carries just seven RBIs with it. |
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| Carl Pavano, who is pitching with Double-A Trenton, will be monitored closely as a possible candidate to serve as the Yankees' fifth starter next week against Baltimore, according to the AP. Phil Hughes (at Triple-A Scranton) is the other top candidate for the start. |
Our View: Pavano will be a fantasy risk, but still has potential to bounce back as a solid starter, and could be worth a look in deeper AL-only leagues. |
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| Manager Joe Girardi commented that Hideki Matsui should be activated from the DL Tuesday, according to the AP. Matsui had 15 at-bats during a simulated game at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, facing left and right-handed pitching. Girardi said the swollen left knee that has hindered the rehab process several times seems to be holding up. Girardi added, "Every time he would get to bat, it would just blow up, but it hasn’t this time. So far the knee is good and we’ll make a decision tomorrow."
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Our View: Matsui is batting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBI over 69 games this season, and could provide a boost to fantasy owners down the stretch, if his knee allows. |
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| Joba Chamberlain, who is recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis, played catch for a second straight day Saturday, while making 28 throws, and said he felt better than he did after throwing for the first time Friday, according to the NY Daily News. He said, "I got loose a lot quicker. It went a lot better than I expected, getting loose and staying loose." He is scheduled to take Sunday off. |
Our View: Manager Joe Girardi previously stated that Chamberlain will likely remain in the rotation when he returns, rather than move back to the pen, and the young hurler is making positive steps in that direction in his rehab. He could be back in pinstripes in late August. |
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| Johnny Damon has a bruise on the palm of his left hand (near his thumb), according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: It is unclear what his status is for Sunday's game. He was limited to a DH role Saturday, and went 1-for-6 against the Royals. |
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| Hideki Matsui went 1-for-3 with a single in his second rehab game on Saturday. He has been out since June 22 due to a sore left knee. |
Our View: It sounds like the Yankees will push Matsui quickly if his knee responds well. He could be back next week and potentially help fantasy teams over the final five weeks or so. |
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| Robinson Cano wetn 2-for-6 with a triple, two runs, and an RBI in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Royals. He is hitting .327 since the All-Star break. |
Our View: Cano's numbers remain well below what fantasy owners expected heading into the season, but a very strong finish could help ease some of the anger. |
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| Brett Gardner came through with a game-winning RBI single on Saturday afternoon. He went 3-for-5 in the game, and his biggest hit came in the 13th inning. The Yankees defeated the Royals 3-2. |
Our View: Gardner should play fairly regularly following the demotion of Melky Cabrera. He has pretty good speed and a decent bat. Gardner isn't a great fantasy addition, but he could help AL-only clubs. |
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| The New York Yankees have fired two scouts who are being investigated for paying players small amounts of their signing bonuses while keeping the rest, according to the New York Times. |
Our View: The scouts are Carlos Ríos, who directed Latin American scouting, and Ramón Valdivia, who was the director of Dominican Republic scouting. The FBI is looking into the matter. |
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| The Philadelphia Phillies are not interested in acquiring first baseman Richie Sexson despite their need for another power bat off the bench, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. |
Our View: Why would they be? Why would anyone? Sexson has struck out 31% of his at-bats this season, and has gotten on base just 32% of the time. |
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| Yankees manager Joe Girardi said New York hurler Joba Chamberlain will likely remain a starting pitcher when he comes off the disabled list, according to the New York Daily News. "We envision him as a big league starter," Girardi said. |
Our View: There had been speculation that Chamberlain would move to the bullpen, but that probably will not be the case. |
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| Mariano Rivera picked up his fifth loss of the year Friday, allowing a run to cross on a wild pitch in the Yanks' 5-4 defeat to Kansas City. Mo allowed two hits but struck out two in his inning. |
Our View: We'll cut Mo some slack. His ERA on the year ballooned to 1.70 with this outing. |
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| Joba Chamberlain threw 25 times from 65 feet Friday, the first time he's played catch since he exited an Aug. 4 start with rotator cuff tendinitis, according to MLB.com. "It was very good," Chamberlain said. "I got loose at the end. After eight days, when you get out there and throw, you're still kind of leery. But everything went well." Joba is scheduled to play catch again on Saturday and hopes to throw off a mound as early next week. |
Our View: The Yankees have discussed the possibility of bringing back Chamberlain as a reliever to reduce the stress on his shoulder. We'll let you know how his rehab progresses. |
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| Andrew Brackman is ready to start throwing batting practice, according to the AP. The Yankees' 2007 first-round draft pick, is coming back from Tommy John surgery. He also had an appendectomy on June 10. |
Our View: The 6-foot-10 righty has lots of ability, but he's far away from making any sort of impact. |
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| Hideki Matsui hit a solo homer Friday in his first minor league rehab game. Matsui is working his way back from a left knee injury. |
Our View: If all goes well, Hideki should be back before the end of the month. |
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| As expected, the Yankees recalled Brett Gardner from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Friday to take Melky Cabrera's spot on the roster. |
Our View: Gardner is expected to play every day in center, at least until Hideki Matsui is ready. He is worth an AL-only bid because of his speed. |
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| The Yankees purchased the contract of Cody Ransom from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Friday. Ransom hit just .255 for Scranton but belted 22 dingers. |
Our View: Ransom obviously has some pop, but his playing time will be very limited. |
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| The Yankees recalled Chris Britton from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Friday to replace the injured Dan Giese on the roster. |
Our View: Britton has been up and down with the Yanks this year. He'll fill a middle relief role. |
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| As expected, the Yankees optioned Melky Cabrera to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Friday. He is batting just .242-8-36 on the year. |
Our View: Melky got off to a great start this year but has been useless for the most part since. Brett Gardner replaces Cabrera on the roster. |
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| As expected, Richie Sexson has been released by the Yankees, according to the AP. The club recalled outfielder Brett Gardner from Triple-A Scranton as the corresponding move. |
Our View: Sexson was brought to the Yankees to improve their production against left-handed pitching, but he failed to make an impact and was too easy of an out. He only mustered 12 homers over 280 at-bats this season as well. |
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| Richie Sexson will be waived by the Yankees today, according to the NY Post. Cody Ransom is expected to be called up from Triple-A to fill Sexson's spot on the roster. |
Our View: Sexson was added to the Yankees to improve their offense against left-handed pitching, but the drastic holes in his swing made him too easy of an out. He only has 12 homers over 280 at-bats as well. |
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| The NY Post indicates that the Yankees will demote Melky Cabrera to Triple-A Scranton. Brett Gardner will be recalled from Triple-A as the corresponding move. |
Our View: Cabrera went from starting in center field to being demoted to the minors. He had potential to break out this season, but it didn't happen for him, as he only hit .242 with eight homers and 36 RBI over 117 games. |
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| Dan Giese has been placed on the 15-day DL due to right rotator cuff tendinitis, according to the NY Post. |
Our View: Darrell Rasner is a top candidate to cover Giese's next start scheduled for Tuesday against the Jays. |
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| The NY Post indicates that Joba Chamberlain may be moved back to the bullpen when he returns from the DL following his recovery from rotator cuff tendinitis. |
Our View: Moving him back to the pen would reduce the stress on the right shoulder. He is eligible to return from the DL Wednesday, but there is no confirmation that he will be ready at that time. |
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| Hideki Matsui, who is on the DL with a swollen left knee, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment in Tampa today, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: It appears he is no longer at risk for season-ending surgery. Barring a setback, he could be back in pinstripes by the end of the month. |
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| Derek Jeter didn't play Wednesday due to a bruised left instep, but Jeter and manager Joe Girardi believe he will be back in the lineup Friday against the Royals, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: The Yankees are off Thursday, giving him a day to rest. Jeter should be safe to pencil back into lineups. |
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| Dan Giese is scheduled to be examined Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game due to shoulder soreness, according to the NY Daily News. He said, "My shoulder just stiffened up on me when I started facing Mauer. I was trying to overthrow and it got progressively worse and worse the more pitches I threw."
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Our View: Manager Joe Girardi believed Giese would still be able to make his scheduled start on Tuesday, but that will likely depend on what happens during the pitcher's visit to Dr. Chris Ahmad today at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Giese is hoping that he will heal with some rest and anti-inflammatory medication.
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| Wilson Betemit went 2-for-3 in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Minnesota. Both of his hits were singles, and accounted for two of the Yankees' five hits in the contest. Alex Rodriguez registered the only extra base hit with a double. |
Our View: Betemit started the game at shortstop in place of the injured Derek Jeter. Betemit serves solid depth for the Yankees, like today, but isn't likely going to see enough at-bats the rest of the way to make him a favorable fantasy option. |
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| Darrell Rasner allowed two earned runs on four hits over five innings in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Twins, with one walk and four strikeouts. |
Our View: He pitched well, but was dealt his ninth loss of the season due to poor run support. Rasner only has one win in his last seven outings, and has allowed four or more earned runs three times over the span. Rasner is only worth keeping in larger AL-only leagues for depth. |
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| Dan Giese left Wednesday's game against the Twins in the sixth inning due to a stiff right shoulder, according to the AP. |
Our View: We will keep you posted when more details are released regarding the injury. |
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| Derek Jeter was not in Wednesday's lineup after leaving Tuesday's game with a bruised left foot, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Wilson Betemit took Jeter's spot in the lineup at shortstop. The team did not indicate how much time Jeter may miss. |
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| Phil Hughes fared well in Tuesday's rehab start as he allowed two earned runs over 5.2 innings at Triple-A Scranton, and the NY Daily News suggests that he may re-join the Yankees' rotation as soon as next Tuesday in place of Dan Giese. |
Our View: Hughes threw 84 pitches, meaning he'd be able to approach 100 in his next start. Hughes was ineffective over six starts with the Yankees this season, and would be a risky fantasy hurler for AL-only leagues if he gets another chance in the rotation.
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| The first blown save of the season was suffered by Yankee future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, giving up a three-run homer to Minnesota outfielder Delmon Young in the bottom of the eighth inning to surrender a lead and force extra innings. |
Our View: The homer was one of just two hits allowed by Rivera, an unusual failure in an otherwise stellar season (again) for Rivera. |
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| He may have got lost in the shuffle, but Yankee RHP Mike Mussina did worthy work off the mound this evening in support of the extra-inning 9-6 win over the Twins. Mussina pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts. |
Our View: Moose walks with no decision, halting a two-game win streak. In fact, Mussina boasts five wins over his last eight starts with two no-decisions and one loss. |
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| The Yankees needed 12 innings to do it, but they pulled the 9-6 win over the Twins with some help from outfielder Xavier Nady. Nady went 2-for-4 at the plate, hitting his 31st double and 19th homer of the season to total four RBIs and one run scored on the night. |
Our View: Nady is playing well for the Yanks, hitting .368 this month with four homers for 13 RBIs. |
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| Mike Mussina (15-7, 3.27 ERA) will try to end the Yankees current four game skid as he faces the Twins, Tuesday, August 12. |
Our View: In a rotation filled with year-long uncertainty, Mussina has been the one constant. Look for the Yankees to rally behind this old veteran. |
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| Bobby Abreu had two of the Yankees four hits on Monday night as they were shut out by Glen Perkins and Joe Nathan. |
Our View: Abreu is up to .289 thanks to a .344 run over his last 23 games that has also seen him produce 23 runs, 18 RBI and five home runs. Abreu continues to be one of the better five category performers in the fantasy game despite a declining skill set. |
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| Sidney Ponson fell to 7-3 on the season as the Twins scored four runs off the portly hurler in his 7.2 innings of work. |
Our View: Since becoming a Yankee Ponson is 3-2 with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Just goes to show you how desperate the Yankees are that they continue to run out there a hurler who is producing at a level that is worse than average for a major league pitcher. Don't make the same mistake. |
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| Updating an earlier report, it now seems that Joba Chamberlain will indeed begin his throwing program on Friday and not Wednesday, according to MLB.com. "I made the suggestion that he just wait until Friday when we get home, so he's in front of us," manager Joe Girardi said. |
Our View: This decision only pushes things back two days and seems to make the most sense as the club doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize their golden armed hurler. |
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| Hideki Matsui, who is recovering from a swollen left knee, ran the bases for the first time Monday since being sidelined in late June by the injury, according to the Journal News.
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Our View: He could start playing in minor league rehab games soon, and feels he is making favorable progress every day. Matsui should remain stashed on fantasy rosters, and could provide a boost for the stretch run, as he was hitting .323 with 34 RBI over 69 games this season.
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| Joba Chamberlain, who is recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis, will begin a throwing program Wednesday (moved up from Friday), according to the AP. He said, "Play catch and just go from there." |
Our View: Barring a setback, he could re-join the Yankees by the end of August, but the Yankees will remain cautious with his recovery. |
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| Joba Chamberlain, who is recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis, will begin a throwing program Friday at Yankee Stadium, according to the NY Post. He hasn't thrown since last Monday night in Texas. |
Our View: Barring a setback, he could be back by the end of August, but the Yankees will remain cautious with his recovery. |
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| Alex Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, but it wasn't enough as the Yankees lost to the Angels 4-3. |
Our View: Rodriguez was undergoing a brutal month, hitting .161 in August before today's performance put his average above .200. Still, it is A-Rod, and he will continue to crush pitchers in a short while. |
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| Ian Kennedy has been sent down to Triple-A Scranton, according to the | | |
