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Game 9: Yankees at Royals

April
9

YANKEES
Damon DH
Cano 2B
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Giambi 1B
Molina C
Cabrera CF
Gonzalez SS
Kennedy RHP

Notes: Jorge Posada has been diagnosed with a shoulder strain according to the KC team doctor and should only miss a few days. It doesn’t look like a DL. He had the MRI sent to Dr. James Andrews for confirmation and the Yankees will have their doctors look at it as well. “It’s good news because it’s not serious,” Posada said. … Gonzalez is in the lineup. There seems to be a chance that Morgan Ensberg will go on the DL with a mysterious knee injury. It may not necessarily be Jeter.

The Yankees won’t say what the move is until after BP.

UPDATE, 6:51 p.m.: Stunning news from Joe Girardi. It seems that Ensberg injured his left ankle on Monday. This was probably news to Ensberg until he was told about it today. The Yankees will announce their move after BP but that’s what it’ll be, Ensberg placed on the 15-day disabled list.

So Jose Molina will catch with Jorge Posada his “hopefully we don’t have to use him” backup.

cavity.jpgUPDATE, 6:56 p.m.: The Journal News was able to obtain a copy of Ensberg’s MRI. As you can see, he has a wrenched ankle. But it could be the breadbasket.

UPDATE, 7:46 p.m.: Morgan Ensberg survived. Shelley Duncan was just optioned to Triple-A Scranton. Why they wait to 15 minutes before the game to reveal that, I have no idea. But that’s the move.

UPDATE, 8:15 p.m.: The bad news keeps coming for the Yankees. Ian Kennedy is injured (we don’t know what it is yet) and Brian Bruney is starting.

UPDATE, 8:23 p.m.: Kennedy is fine. There is rain coming and they didn’t want to waste his start. It’s raining now.

UPDATE, 9:10 p.m.: There seem to have been slowdown issues with the blog since the plug-in to edit comments was installed. So that has been yanked, at least for now. We apologize for the issues but it should be fine now.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pm by Peter Abraham.
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1029 Responses to “Game 9: Yankees at Royals”

  1. Geo

    here’s hoping Jeet and Jorge get better

  2. Lauren

    How did Jorge hurt his shoulder? does anyone know?

  3. Hughes 5.00

    We are CURSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Sweet Post, Pete ! ;-)

  5. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Why not just try and trade Ensberg for a low-level minor leaguer. I get the feeling he may not see any real playing time, injury or not.

  6. Lauren

    Molina!

  7. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Here’s hoping that the Phantom Knee injury to Ensberg is not so serious :-)

  8. Jimmy 27

    Lauren -nothing specific- probably throwing - just one of those things

  9. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    Let’s get a win tonight

  10. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    How the heck did Ensberg get hurt?

    Also, for the record, my birthday’s saturday, not today. Because someone said they were confused :)

  11. Frank Discussion

    Anyone else care to issue their predictions on where the strike zone is going to be tonight ? I’m guessing it ends up somewhere in the westbound lanes of I-70 or perhaps in nearby St. Louis.

  12. Jaewon

    Let’s go Yankees!
    *clap, clap, clap clap clap*

    Here’s to the health of THE New York team, and here’s to IPK!

  13. mel

    Lauren,

    Posada said he felt it in ST. What he’s saying and the doctors are saying is two different stories. Jorge was acting like his career was over. Sometimes he really irritates me with his straight talk. I’d rather have rainbows and butterflies. :)

  14. Lauren

    Baltimore and the Royals are running away with their divisons ;)

    Who do we root for tonight: Boston or Detroit??

  15. Lauren

    Mel,

    Wow!!

    where was Jorge emoting his career was over?!

  16. Jimmy 27

    NEVER ROOT FOR BOSTON.

  17. mel

    I hope I’m not offending anyone, but please realize that Alex is not a SS anymore. By his own volition. He knew the deal when he came to the Yankees. He knew the deal when he signed on for another 10 years.

    Please leave the poor horse alone.

  18. Christy Canyon

    Never root for Boston this early in the season.

  19. Brian from PA

    my favorite straight talk from jorge ever is: “i screamed, i thought they were bubbles” in reference to the swarm of bees in sarasota last year. the epitome of a sentence taken out of context…oh jorge, you made it sound like you’re afraid of bubbles!!

    but jorge isn’t a doctor. i’ve hurt my shoulder before, and it feels like hell. a strain in your shoulder feels like there is something seriously wrong, so i can see why jorge was so concerned about it.

    let’s kick some royal ass tonight…when was the last time the Yankees lost a series to the Royals? eitherway, the Yanks owned Greinke last year so they better continue that trend.

  20. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Lauren: Detroit, easy.

    RULES FOR YANKEE FANS CONCERNING THE RED SOX:

    1) It is NEVER, in ANY circumstance, appropriate to root for the Red Sox to win.

    2) In the rare instance a Boston win would have a direct effect on the Yankees’ chance at a division lead or playoff spot, it is okay to root for the other team to lose, but NOT for Boston to win.

    3) In instances of baseball feats–such as a no-hitter, it is acceptable to root for the player in question, but not for the team as a whole (ie, it’s okay to root for Laptop’s no hitter for one night, but not for the Sox to win that game), and even then it’s not okay to root for the player in question if the team against which this feat would be achieved is the Yankees.

    Any questions?

  21. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    You root for the Yankees tonight, the rest will take care of itself.

  22. Westerner99

    Betemit is out of options…I believe Ensberg is out of them, also….or he might still have one left but can’t be sent down without his permission due to his MLB service time. The only guy on the bench with options left is Duncan.

  23. 2008 Yankees

    Wow….it really says something when Molina is hitting in front of Melky…wow…
    I think Posada will play come next Monday, same with Jeter. I know these next 5 games count in the standings but every team is going to go through these kinds of injuries.
    Going 3-3 in these 6 games would be a blessing. Arod/Abreu/Matsui will need to carry the offense until. Hopefully they get an unsung hero from the rest of the lineup, but they certainly need Cano and Damon to get started soon.

  24. Jaewon

    Lauren: Detroit, but I’d be almost happy if Boston wins too.

  25. Christy Canyon

    They need Ensberg around this season in case A-Rod gets hurt. An Ensberg/Betemit platoon would be needed in that case.

  26. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    The Yanks got swept by the Royals a couple years ago…in KC.

  27. mel

    Lauren,

    I’m sorry, I exaggerated, but he was pretty down after yesterday’s game. Not sure what it was, we’ll see, we’ll see. I think more caution should’ve been used in talking about it until they had more information. But Jorge’s no Jeter in the info deparment.

  28. S.o.S.27

    “Who do we root for tonight: Boston or Detroit??”

    That should not even be asked. Fan of 2 teams. Yanks and anyone who plays the hated ones.

    Can we dl Giambi and put Duncan in for him? He hasnt done anything this year and its just about the time that he pulls something.

  29. Jeff

    PHIL HUGHES change in Mechanics and thus loss in velocity???

    http://saberscouting.com/2008/04/09/phil-hughes-mechanics-whats-the-deal/#more-86

  30. Brian from PA

    no reason to root for Boston. to what benefit is it of ours if they win? detroit’s hole gets even deeper? who cares?

    Rebecca, good rules for the most part, except personally i don’t root for amazing individual accomplishments if it’s a Red Sox doing it. I was rooting for Buchholz’s no hitter to get broken up.

  31. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    Let’s go Detroit! Get win #1!

  32. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    I love you Christy Canyon, but I’ve got to disagree. I don’t even think Ensberg should have made the team.

  33. Jimmy 27

    Rebecca
    Question:
    Are you sure it’s ok to root for Laptop’s no hitter?
    That does not sit right with me.

    Doesn’t Melky bat 9th for the “second leadoff hitter” factor?

  34. S.o.S.27

    “ie, it’s okay to root for Laptop’s no hitter for one night, but not for the Sox to win that game.”

    Rebecca-Needs a correction. No way i want a red sox getting a no hitter!!

  35. Jeff

    PHIL HUGHES change in Mechanics and thus loss in velocity???

    http://saberscouting.com/2008/04/09/phil-hughes-mechanics-whats-the-deal/#more-86

  36. Christy Canyon

    What can I say, I like Ensberg :)

    Just a hunch I suppose, but I think he is pretty good. And even though Betemit pretends to be a switch-hitter, he is only a good hitter from one side of the plate. And Ensberg complements that well because he mashes from Betemit’s weak side.

  37. Jimmy 27

    Mr Chips - How was class?

  38. Brian from PA

    Ensberg would be pretty useful at 3rd in the event Alex goes down. let’s hope that doesn’t happen though *knocks on wood for like the 40th time today* but then again Betemit is also a decent third basemen. or a prospect like Cody Ransom could be called up. I think we’re good, defensively anyway, if A Rod goes down.

  39. Brian from PA

    Jimmy 27

    Class was alright, thanks. Got my test back, scored a 92%. After that we spoke spanish a lot. (the class is Spanish 202)

  40. Doreen

    I think it’s pretty easy to see why Posada was particular distressed after yesterday’s game. He couldn’t throw. And they lost. And he thought he was getting better.

    I don’t know about anyone else out there, but I often overreact in the moment. :)

  41. Lauren

    Bill Buckner cried after throwing out yesterday’s first pitch.

    I hate to say it, but here goes: THERE’S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!

  42. Jimmy 27

    How do you say “the machine stole my chips” en Espanol?

  43. JGNYC (insert Pro-Yankee slogan here)

    I think Ensberg may have more value as a trading chip than as a player on this year’s squad, but let’s see how the season plays out.

  44. Matt Waters

    Seems Mr. Ensberg has been hit with a severe case of rosteritis.

  45. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Lauren–8 games in is not “running away with the division.” You NEVER root for Boston except, perhaps, in the rare circumstance that both teams have made the playoffs and a Boston win over another playoff-bound team will result in home field advantage for the yankees in the first round. Only exception.

    2008 Yankees–Melky’s hitting 9th for his speed in front of Damon. It’s not a knock on his bat.

  46. Buddy Biancalana

    mel-

    Ready for Boom Dizzle vs Melo & AI on National TV tomorrow night? Should be a good one.

  47. Brian from PA

    Bill Buckner was just trying to make a story with his fake tears. if he was so hurt by the aftermath of his botched play, then he wouldn’t have autographed thousands of pictures of that play along with mookie wilson. the dude probably made more money off that play than he did in his career before that.

  48. Brian from PA

    Jimmy 27

    Yo no se.

  49. S.o.S.27

    I have to agree with Christy. Betimet sucks and atleast with Ensburg, he has a track record that shows he succeeded in the bigs. Its worth the risk.

    Brian,
    I dont think Ransom is a prospect. If im not mistaken he’s been in the league for awhile. But i would rather have him in there than Wilson.
    Spanish word that might mean fries or chips. Cant remember. Papas fritas.

  50. jennifer-Phil Hughes saved!! Mussina is NOT DONE! anti-anti

    I feel a lot better! Phew!! Hopefully Andrews confirms the KC DR diagnosis.

  51. Lauren

    Elizabeth-

    My poor attempt at sarcasm; sarcastic smiley face notwithstanding.

  52. Steph

    I’m glad that Posada might only be out for a few days and should be alright…hope the diagnosis for Jeter comes up good as well. I wonder where Ensberg got the knee injury…well, if he goes on the DL, at least it’s a back-up and not a full-time player. But I hope he’s alright.
    Jorge hurt his shoulder on April 1 (Opening Night) when he made an awkward throw to second to try to throw out a runner.

  53. S.o.S.27

    “How do you say “the machine stole my chips” en Espanol?”

    Not sure but i do know how to say “dame mi pinchi dinero”.

  54. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Ensberg could be useful, you’re right, but holding onto a guy in the event ARod goes down just doesn’t make sense to me. Look, if ARod goes down no one is going to replace his production. Then to have Ensberg try and learn firstbase on the job…when is Cashman going to learn. Get a real firstbaseman, say someone like…me.

    I’ll never understand why the Yanks throw their money away like they do. 1.75 mil for Ensberg. The guy has no position on this team.

    You need good defensive subs and guys with speed on this bench. Like it’s been said before, you’re not going to pinch hit for anyone in this line-up.

  55. Jimmy 27

    La machina ________ mi papas fritas!

    are we close?

  56. Brian from PA

    SoS

    Sorry, i guess i just thought the word “prospect” took less time to type than “minor leaguer”.

    papas fritas means french fries but it may be suitable for potato chips as well. the thing is i couldn’t remember the word for “stole” so i just decided to go with “yo no se” (i dont know)

  57. S.o.S.27

    stole = robaron(i think)

    I do miss your glove Mr. Mienkuoulokjljlich. I agree. We should have resigned him. Good luck charm for arod.

  58. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    La vendedora automática robó mis patatas fritas

  59. Brian from PA

    Jimmy 27

    i believe you have it, besides the blank. the only correction i’d make is that it would be “mis” papas fritas, not “mi”. if the noun is plural so is the pronoun.

  60. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    stole = robar, s.o.s.

  61. Brian from PA

    Elizabeth is the winner!

    Her prize?

    the chips!

    except the police will confiscate them, as they are exhibit A.

  62. Fran

    Pete - I read that SWB called up a catcher this afternoon. Is Chad Moeller in KC? Is there another roster move to be made?

  63. S.o.S.27

    Elizabeth,
    Thank you. To think i was born in south america and cant get a sentence right. Disgraceful i tell ya.

  64. Jeff NJ

    Tonight is Ian’s night. The first start, Yankee stadium jitters are gone. Look for him to hand the ball to Joba directly tonight.

  65. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Brian–I’ll gladly give them up for the sake of forensics.

  66. Jimmy 27

    Gracias - might as well learn something while we’re here

    Brian what was their VORC?

  67. Sterling Steiner

    I never want to see a guy go down, but in this case, I sure hope it’s Ensberg and not Jeter.

  68. Lauren

    S.o.S.27-

    Well, Bush was born in the United States and he mangles the language, every day.

  69. S.o.S.27

    Hows the weather in k.c.?

  70. Yankees Ben

    I would bat Melky 2nd Cano 6th Gimbi, Molina, Gonzo.

  71. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Thanks S.o.S.27. I miss being a member. Don’t tell the Pirates I’m blogging…we’ll be playing shortly.

    They really should have resigned me though. I should be the everyday first baseman and the Big G should be a DH or bat off the bench.

    Your bench should be:

    Molina
    Duncan
    Giambi
    Gonzalez/Ransom
    Gardner/Damon

  72. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    S.O.S.—”Robaron” is the past perfect form of the verb. “Robar” is the infinitive.

  73. Doreen

    Fran -

    There is a Chris Stewart listed on SWB roster, catcher, no number. I didn’t notice if he was there earlier.

  74. S.o.S.27

    “laura-Well, Bush was born in the United States and he can’t get a sentence right, either.”

    What was that word he uses. Nukiler.
    Thanks, I feel better now.

  75. Doreen

    And Chad Moeller is still on SWB roster, too.

  76. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Fran–SWB gets to replace Gonzalez with someone now; maybe a C was their choice.

  77. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Hablo español, pero, no lo hablo bien :)

  78. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Hey here’s what I’m thinkning. They need to pry me from the Pirates along with Marte in some not-so-blockbuster deal. Send Ensberg over her for me.

  79. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    http://www.pinstripealley.com/2008/4/9/391240/posada-may-not-land-on-dl

    Posada may not land on DL after all
    by anaconda on Apr 9, 2008 6:11 PM EDT in News

    Ed Price of the Ledger has the latest:

    Jorge Posada said his MRI today showed a strained right shoulder and he estimated he can return in 3-4 days.

    Posada said he is relieved because he feared he would need surgery.

    Mark Feinsand of the Daily News was just on Michael Kay’s radio show and reported that Morgan Ensberg has an issue with his knee and he could be the headed to the DL instead of Derek Jeter.

    Obviously, we’ll know a lot more about all of these issues when Girardi talks to the media before the game.

    [Note by anaconda, 04/09/08 6:22 PM EDT ]

    Pete Abe confirms mysterious knee injury to Ensberg and adds that Posada’s MRI will be sent to famed uber-surgeon Dr. James Andrews for confirmation on the condition of his ailing shoulder.

  80. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Rebecca–Hablo espanol un poco, tambien.

  81. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Yo tengo un lapiz, me lapiz es amarillo.

  82. Fran

    Doreen and Elizabeth - Thanks for the information. When I saw that SWB called up a catcher I naturally assumed.

  83. Louise

    Hell im rooting for Boston tonight.. I wanna see Det keep losing.. If that makes me a fake yankee fan then so be it..

  84. S.o.S.27

    Doug above all was a good clubhouse guy. I like your bench but as I stated earlier. We seem to win games when Giambi is out. He hasnt done crap this year and dl is calling his name. Duncan needs his chance. Pavano needs a friend, go to him G. Gardner is batting 364 early on with a dinger. I hope he can make it up here sometime this year.

  85. Brian from PA

    ok im out ill be back at gametime maybe

  86. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Louise = fake Yankee fan …. *So BE it!*

  87. Rhapsody in Blue

    sos27
    Dwight Eisenhower from Abilene Kansas pronounced nuclear the same way as Bush, as do other from that part of the country.
    Kind of like New Yorkers pronoucing Oregon incorrect instead of the proper way Ora-gin

  88. S.o.S.27

    “Hey here’s what I’m thinkning. They need to pry me from the Pirates along with Marte in some not-so-blockbuster deal. Send Ensberg over her for me.”

    Hell you can have Hawkins,Betimet,Henn,Farnworthless,Bruney and Ramirez for those two.

  89. Steph

    Thank God Posada doesn’t need shoulder surgery.
    Pavano’s got Sanchez and Brackman on the DL with him. Oh…wait. They’re actually working to…I dunno…help the club sometime in the future. Unlike the walking disaster himself.

  90. DurhamYankee

    papas fritas are french fries, unless you are from England I assume you are trying to say papitas which means chips. La machina de vendedora se robo mis papitas

  91. Jimmy 27

    Chad jennings
    http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.com/Blogs/SWBYankees/
    tabid/552/Default.aspx

    Brown replaces AG
    Moeller was not scheduled to play this game.

  92. Louise

    So a yankee fan never cheers for Boston to win.. So therefor a scenario of.. Boston plays Minnesota to make up for a rainout the day after the regular season ends…

    The Yankees need Boston to win, to make the wild card.. so therefore by a lot of thought processes on this blog.. we have to root for Minnesota even if it means the Yankees miss the playoffs….

    Detroit to me is a bigger threat to the Yankees this year, because I honestly feel we will be the wild card this year. So there the more Detroit loses the better chance of the wild card coming from the East…

    Perhaps I am not the fake yankee fan, and people like Don Vito aren’t smart enough to look at things rationally.

  93. Yazman

    Ensberg tweaked his knee sliding down the bench to make room for Jeter. I’m guessing once Jeter’s able to come off the bench, Ensberg’s reverse movement up the bench should tweak his knee back the other way, and he’ll be fine.

  94. panic

    Who is our backup/emergency catcher tonight?!!!

  95. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Now you’re talking. Send over Betemit(cause I’ve definitely got the better-mit), Henn, Ensberg, Farnsworth and Ramirez…of course there’s that whole money thing with those guys. My current employer doesn’t have the deepest pockets…oh games starting gotta go. Thanks.

  96. S.o.S.27

    Rhapsody,
    Never knew that. Thanks
    How do New Yorkers pronounce it?

  97. DurhamYankee

    Panic: Ensberg, im fine with that

  98. Lauren

    Rhapsody in Blue-

    Did Ike ever say, “They based some of their decisions on the word people who have trained to disassemble, that means not tell the truth.”

  99. DurhamYankee

    Panic: Ensberg, I’m fine with that

  100. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Louise, in that situation you root for Minnesota to lose, not the Red Sox to win ;)

  101. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Louise, I was joking. Chill….relax…..calm…think happy thoughts….The only way we root for Boston to win, is if in the process, they sustain daily injuries that completely tank their season… ;-)
    .
    Remember, breath slowly, go to your happy place….OHM…OHM…OHM !

  102. Yazman

    And happy birthday Rebecca, and kudos, defense matters!

  103. Steph

    That’s a good question. Betemit would probably have to be the back-up or emergency tonight because of Ensberg’s injury and Posada being down for a couple days. Or Shelley. He could be the iron giant behind home.

  104. Sterling Steiner

    Is this one of those fake injuries?

  105. MJL

    Haha, that’s great Pete.

  106. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    One last thing…I’m healthy. See ya.

  107. Steph

    DuhramYankee: Ensberg’s injured…

  108. Doreen

    Yazman -

    :lol:

  109. panic

    Durham, ensberg is now on the dl!!

  110. S.o.S.27

    Louise,
    Why are you worried about Detroit? They arent in our division and we as Yankees shouldnt ever think of getting the wild card. Last year was an abotation. Only Sox fans start the season thinking wild card. Plus Detroit has no pitching besides Verlander. Not to worry. They wont be their in the end. Allways go against boston unless it helps us.So now will you go for the cats?

  111. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    LOL Peter

  112. S.o.S.27

    “aboration”

  113. Steph

    I’m so glad it’s not Jeter or Posada that has to go on the DL!
    Get well soon, Ensberg.

  114. Doreen

    Pete -

    :lol:

    Can they DO that?????

  115. Doreen

    SoS 27 -

    Since you were self-correcting, it’s aberation. :)

  116. S.o.S.27

    “Ensberg tweaked his knee sliding down the bench to make room for Jeter. I’m guessing once Jeter’s able to come off the bench, Ensberg’s reverse movement up the bench should tweak his knee back the other way, and he’ll be fine.”

    Classic!!

    Hey i noticed Jeter had to go get his bat from the fense the other day. Maybe thats why he was struggling.
    Note to Girardi.
    Hold Jeters bat!!

    Signed
    Sultan of Swat

  117. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Pete, that image is great, lmao.

  118. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Louise–you don’t play for the wild card. You play for the division.

  119. Doreen

    Well, you know, if Ensberg did have a sore ankle before today, it may explain why he hasn’t been used, right?

  120. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Ah, the fakety fake DL stint. Classic. ;)

  121. DurhamYankee

    Thats pretty funny that teams can get away with stuff like that, I LOVE it! I guess Betemit would have to catch bc Shelly may charge at someone running at him down the 3rd base line.

  122. Christy Canyon

    Wow, that Operation Guy looks almost as unattractive as the Hedgehog!

  123. S.o.S.27

    Doreen
    April 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
    SoS 27 -

    Since you were self-correcting, it’s aberation.

    I take that back. Not only do i not have the spanish language down. But all languages. Thanks Doreen. I needed that.

  124. Louise

    LMAO does this mean Ensberg needs an operation!?!

  125. Jimmy 27

    Operation guy is Shemp

  126. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Doreen–it’s “aberration.”

  127. Kevin

    Pete that is hillarious….good work

  128. Fran

    The picture that Pete posted looks an awful lot like Carl Pavano!

  129. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    Alright. Let’s go Rangers!

  130. YanksAngel

    Very cute Pete! I was terrible at that game.

    Nice to see some creative roster plays. That’s a good sign Jeter is not injured more than reported. He really had me worried not using his ‘I’m fine line’ like he usually does.

    Now he’s moved to the ‘It’s not that bad’ line.

    I sware I think if he had a broken arm, he would be out there with a cast on if they’d let him. :)

  131. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    LET’S GO DEVILS!

    Yeah, you heard right!

    JERSEY PRIDE ALL THE WAY!

  132. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    LOL. :)

  133. Yankees Ben

    Here is my question if Bettemit can’t play SS for a few days why is he on the team?
    Although I like him on first in limited action, We have 4 First Baseman. Although I think Ensberg is only good on 3rd, so why is here? I guess thats why he got injured.

  134. Louise

    Elizabeth -

    Im sure the Orioles are playing for the division too.. but in reality they won’t win it…

    The Yankees will be in trouble come August when all the IP limitation on their pitchers come to fruition.. So I don’t think we have the ability to win the division this year…

    I want to win the division, but I dont think its realistic this season.

  135. Doreen

    Elizabeth -

    You are correct! Aberration it is! (I actually checked the dictionary, but my contacts are blurring up on me and I didn’t see the second “r” which I thought was how you spelled it, but because of the blurry eyes, well, whatever — no excuses!)

    SOS 27 -

    At least you try to speak Spanish!

  136. GatorSzar

    Ensberg with an injured breadbasket…LMAO…damn, us >30 year olds LOVED that game…great blog Pete

  137. Steph

    YanksAngel-if you broke both of Jeter’s legs and he was in a wheelchair, I’m sure he’d insist on getting out there in one of those motorized scooters to help him move to the left and right quicker. It just might be hard to scoop the ball and get off a throw…put a catapult on it?

  138. mel

    Over/under on number of runs for Bonderman in the first? I’m rooting for the Tigers, but his first inning ERA is bloated.

  139. Andrea

    Why couldn’t Betemit “hurt his ankle”?

  140. Irabu's Son

    If I were Ensberg, I’d be FURIOUS.

  141. YanksAngel

    Steph

    And that’s why we love him so much!!

    I hope he’s ready for the Boston series, remember his blast off Shilling last year :)

  142. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    OK, that does it,,,since Louise thinks that it is not realistic that we can win the division….I label her TROLL….now everyone stick their fingers in their ears and say ” booga booga booga ” !!!!

  143. back bench

    Does anyone know if AG can bunt?

  144. Steph

    Definitely. Hey…that motorized scooter WOULD come in handy trying to break up a DP. Put a little more horsepower in it and have him take a trip around the bases.
    I want Jeter back as soon as possible, but I want him to be as healthy as he can be. I don’t want to see him go down on the DL at some point in the middle of the year when it’ll be more critical to the team.

  145. Yanksgal07

    That hit my funny bone PETE….I’m still chuckling. I use to love that game too..

    Good Luck to Ike tonight. Hope the guys remember what
    good hitters they are since they seem to have forgotten at the moment …

    Go Yankees 2008 !!!

  146. Steph

    I think the Yanks had him lay down a bunt or two last year. He should be able to if he’s light in the bat and a lower-order hitter.

  147. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Louise–but if you play for the division, doesn’t the wild card just fall into place?

    Besides, the innings limits aren’t as bad as some made it out to be. IPK will have an innings limit around 195, Hughes around 165-170, and Joba around 135.

  148. myrtlebeachfan

    I don’t know why nobody has mentioned it, but Ensberg’s injury is clearly fake. The Yankees need Ensberg to fake an injury in order to have Gonzalez come up without losing Jeter for the 15 days. That way, we will have Jeter back in 3-4 games with Gonzalez still on the bench as a PR and what not until we are forced to sent Gonzo back down for Ensberg.

    It’s clear, at least to me.

  149. Louise

    Well IPK won’t be an issue, I don’t see him sticking with the club… He doesn’t really have big league stuff.

  150. Drive 4-5

    At last! As I’ve been saying in my previous posts Ensburg’s place on the roster doesnt make sense. We already have two 3rd basemen and 3 first basemen on the roster. He’s too slow to use as a pinch runner. We’ve now seen what Cashman’s plan was for him all along.

    Get well soon Morgan! We might need ya back on the DL as soon as you get off it!

  151. LathamJoe

    Ensberg has the same injury that Sean Henn has. Its called
    “Out-of-Options-itis”

    Jeff:
    Interesting article about Hughes’ loss of velocity. Somehow I can’t help but believe that the hamstring injury still has an effect on his driving off the mound, rather than a change in his mechanics. Maybe its his tentativeness from the injury, maybe the hamstring is still weakened, but somehow it seems to be linked to his leg drive.

  152. cw

    Cabrera singles

  153. george

    cannot root for Boston, can’t merely aspire to sneaking into the wild card. we’re not rooting for some outfit like the Devil Rays or Pirates, we are rooting for the New York Yankees.

  154. Jimmy 27

    heresy!

  155. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    I think we all know Ensberg’s move is a result of Creativerostermovitis.

    What I have to wonder is if the announcers on TV will play along…

  156. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Whew. Not in the line-up tonight. Perhaps a trade is on the horizon. I’ll be checking in from the clubhouse between innings.

    What you do is pretend you need a bathroom break and then you check your emails and stuff. Damon did it all the time last year.

    Get my number 11 ready, I sense a comeback.

  157. pat

    They just showed a quote from A-Rod on the Yankee BP show from last night. It said something about it’s tough having 2, 3 or 4 guys hurting right now. I guess Jeter, Jorge and Giambi are the 3, which would leave Ensberg to be the 4th. How did the writers not pick up on that? :smile:

  158. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    I don’t know why nobody has mentioned it, but Ensberg’s injury is clearly fake. The Yankees need Ensberg to fake an injury in order to have Gonzalez come up without losing Jeter for the 15 days. That way, we will have Jeter back in 3-4 games with Gonzalez still on the bench as a PR and what not until we are forced to sent Gonzo back down for Ensberg.

    It’s clear, at least to me.

    ………..we’ve all been mentioning it.

  159. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Hey maybe I can get Nady to come over with me. He’d fit in nicely in left.

  160. MikeEff ( Shelley: Everyday )

    louse; i haven’t agreed with one thing you’ve ever said on this blog

  161. Steph

    Posada took some ground balls and BP.

  162. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Just got in, too many to go through, but I read the important stuff at the top.

    Good news on Jorge.

    Yankees are sweet. They’ll be fine.

    You want injuries? Look at Oakland in 2006. Now THEM’S are injuries.

    I hope the news about Jorge calms anyone who was worried.

  163. jennifer-Phil Hughes saved!! Mussina is NOT DONE! anti-anti

    Poor Morgan. :(

    How can anyone report with a straight face that Morgan is hurt.

    Yes pregame doesn’t have a roster move yet.

  164. Doreen

    Actually, I’m not relaxed about Posada until Dr. Andrews sees the MRI results. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ordered another set (series?).

  165. Steph

    Have the Yanks fitted Ensberg with a pair of crutches and everything yet?

  166. cw

    Lowell hurt?

  167. SJ44

    Cashman to Ensberg: “How’s your ankle”?

    Ensberg: “Fine, why”?

    Cashman: “We may have to DFA you”.

    Ensberg: (grabbing his ankle) “Its KILLING ME”.

    Cashman: “Ok. Its the DL for you”.

    Ensberg: “I’m no doctor but, I think I will be ready to go in 15 days”.

  168. Jeff NJ

    Well there goes the A Rod to short rumors. Now about that opt out clause……..

  169. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Girardi: best case scenario for Jeter to come back is Friday.

    He didn’t look like someone who was playing poker when he said it. Jeter also doesn’t sound like someone getting ready to go on the DL!

    Girardi held a brief team meeting to emphasize the need to play the game right. (Too many errors in games.)

  170. Will

    This post is Pete at his BEST!!

  171. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    SJ–I laughed out loud. :)

  172. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Doreen, I was relaxed even if Po was going on the DL because I have such faith in Molina. But it doesn’t sound like that is going to happen.

  173. cw

    Polanco made his second error in 2 days.

  174. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    By the way, the way Pete wrote the Posada stuff is ambiguous. I read it to say that Dr. Andrews has already concurred but they will have their docs look at it also.

  175. cw

    based loaded

  176. CB

    It’s funny, but last time at this year there were many people killing Cashman for the Randy Johnson trade.

    How does it look now? They got a decent year from Viz when they were desperate for relief help and they’re getting the 45 th pick in the draft for losing him to the Rockies.

    Ohlendorf is on the team and pitching well. And now Gonzalez is getting the call to fill in for Jeter.

    Not a bad trade for a 40+ pitcher who was unhappy, wanted a contract extension and can’t stay healthy.

  177. ANSKY

    Are you sure that isn’t Igawa’s MRI? Look at those abs … he came to spring training in that kind of shape! Look at the hair too - all you need is dark shades and it’s him!

    I will not comment on the visible lack of any … oh, never mind.

  178. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    SJ: That made me crack up! Brilliance!

  179. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Crap, Sux have bases loaded one down.

    Pray for a DP.

  180. miggs

    Well it looks like the Yankees are just being the Yankees…. overly cautious with injuries. I disagree with some previous posts stating that the Yankees always downplay injuries that are more serious. I think they are purposefully vague about injuries, and they never rush guys back.

    2 perfect examples are Jeter and Posada. Jorge never had any pain in his shoulder, he just lacked strength there. So they pull him out, get an MRI, and he’s out a few games. No big deal.

    Obviously if Jeter was more seriously hurt, he would have been on the DL, not Ensberg. That’s funny how they most likely just made up a knee injury for the guy. I’d be pissed. They had no choice but to bring up AG, even if its only for a few games. Did you guys see Betemit last night? Ouch.

    Anyway, I’ll bet Jeter is back by next week also. Its April and its cold. There is no need to rush anything.

  181. mel

    cw,

    Just saw that. Single, 4-pitch walk (Drew!), error, after mowing through the heart of the lineup.

    Of course, the Tigers will be roaring by the time it’s our turn to play them.

  182. cw

    1-0 sox

  183. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Devils and Rangers scoreless after one.

  184. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    mel–I know, right? That’s how it always works. Teams suddenly look like World Series contenders when they play us. ;)

  185. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    Come on Bonderman. Get out of this

  186. cw

    2-0 sox, still bottom 2nd. Again, Lowell hurt?

  187. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Hope so.

  188. Richard B

    If you’re interested about Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA projections… here is a blog with that info and their take on it… according to the blog the PECOTA projections have been gettin more accurate as the years pass.

    http://nyystadiuminsider.com/2008/03/pecota-2008-projected-mlb-standings.html

    PECOTA projections 2008 AL EAST
    East W L RS RA AVG OBP SLG
    New York Yankees 97 65 881 724 .276 .356 .444
    Boston Red Sox 91 71 838 745 .273 .354 .429
    Tampa Bay Rays 88 74 786 718 .258 .335 .423
    Toronto Blue Jays 78 84 762 775 .265 .333 .424
    Baltimore Orioles 66 96 750 882 .262 .329 .414

  189. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Bonderman has totally lost the zone.

  190. DurhamYankee

    They dont know what it is but Lowell is hurt. Looks like he twisted the glove hand diving for a ball

  191. cw

    DP, 2-0 sox, end of 2.

  192. Jeff NJ

    CB, I remember only a small number of people who didn’t like the Unit trade. Michael Kay was one of them. And a few random posters here, but most people loved getting anything for him. The jury is still out on the Sheff trade, but I think Humberto will start to show his worth this season.

  193. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Thank me for making a statement so I could be proven wrong!

    DP.

    However, Bonderman’s pitch count must be in the 90s.

    :)

  194. mikethemike

    well i guess shelly did not need to clear waivers ?

  195. pat

    Didn’t Lowell do that last year too?

  196. panic

    Solong Shelly

  197. mel

    TG

  198. Doreen

    Boy, you leave to clean up the kitchen a bit, and you find a medical miracle has occurred! :lol:

  199. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Shelley in AAA? Dang.

  200. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    Who called Shelley being sent down?! *raises her hand*

  201. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    I wasn’t here for the Sheff trade but I would have taken a bag of balls for him because his malcontent attitude and telling the team how to play totally outweighed what he was bringing in terms of production.

    I still blame him for killing us in the first round of the postseason where he mouthed off to the press that he should be playing and saint joe put him in the lineup and he didn’t do jack schlit. Good freakin riddance to him!

  202. Brad

    The only bright note with Detroit losing is the table being set for Steve Phillips to eat crow.

  203. Elizabeth--Melky in CF 08 and Beyond

    There are currently 26 players on the Yankees.com roster ;)

  204. Fran

    Shelley has options left. Besides isn’t Alex supposed to be taking off a few days soon when his wife has the baby? They might need Ensberg to play 3rd base.

  205. Steph

    Wow! Morgan-next time I get hurt like that, can I have your miracle cure?

  206. TIME 4 #27

    It looks like lowel is injured, i’ll be very calm playing the bosox with out lowel.

  207. DurhamYankee

    Im watching the MLB Extra Innings Tigers game(waiting for my Yanks to start) and the NESN announcers are bickering, pretty funny stuff. Apparently one of them is over sensitive and believes that a comment made by the other announcer is going to get him fired. True Story!

  208. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Brad. Nowhere near enough. If that makes you happy I say let them beat the crap out of the Sux and then start losing again!

  209. Andrea

    Wait. So is Ensberg NOT on the DL?

  210. Mr. Mientkiewicz

    Wow, the bench tonight is:

    Betemit
    Jeter (hurt)
    Posada (hurt)
    Ensberg(hurt?)

    Who am I missing?

  211. mel

    It took them 15 min before game time because they were waiting for Yogi to do the coin flip.

    This Lester & Matsuzaka first base carosel is irritating me. They walk men from morning to noon, and never pay for it.

    Our young pitchers walk people and it’s a different story.

  212. jennifer-Phil Hughes saved!! Mussina is NOT DONE! anti-anti

    Sending Shelley down is the smartest move. If either Jorge or Jeter need to go down, they could bring Shelley back up. If they dl’ed Morgan and needed to dl either Jorge or Jeter they couldn’t bring Morgan back till after the 15 days.

  213. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    durham Remy and Orsillo are really funny and play well off each other. As much as I hate being stuck with NESN when Yank games are on, I will say that Remy is as about objective a sportscaster as you’re going to get. He is the opposite of a homer and he will always admit it if there are bad calls, no matter which way they go.

  214. ANSKY

    Bill Buckner crying after throwing out the first pitch to Dewey Evans was so touching.

    I wonder, if the Chi Sox ever play at Texas’ home opener, would they have Nolan Ryan throw out the first pitch to (or, ‘at’) Robin Ventura?

  215. Doreen

    I love David Cone’s analysis, but he always has such a pained look on his face. :)

  216. jennifer-Phil Hughes saved!! Mussina is NOT DONE! anti-anti

    Morgan isn’t hurt. If he was hurt he wouldn’t be up here.

  217. cw

    Tigers forfeited their at-bats at top of the 3rd.
    Bottom 3rd, 2-0 sox.

  218. Fran

    I also believe that Ensberg is the emergency catcher and with Jorge hurt they need some insurance.

  219. V

    Here’s hoping Shelley’s back soon :-( I’d really like to see him used more often.

  220. mel

    Dang, Shef, do you hate us that much? :)

  221. jennifer-Phil Hughes saved!! Mussina is NOT DONE! anti-anti

    When is Alex’s wife due?

  222. Steph

    Kennedy scratched and Bruney is starting? What???

  223. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    1-0 Rangers

  224. pat

    Bruney is starting?

  225. mikethemike

    brian bruney starting ? what is the deal man
    jezzzzzzzz

  226. Gitmo

    WTF… Ian Kennedy scratched.. Bruney is starting.

  227. DurhamYankee

    Trisha: I dont know who is who but it DID seem that one of them was not happy with the other. Maybe I was wrong.

    Cano has a big game tonight

  228. DJ

    Bruney? What the fu…

    What now?

  229. miggs

    Kennedy got hurt…more info is on its way

  230. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Okay, now, I know Bruney’s being pitching wonderfully of late…but honestly, WTF?!

  231. William

    when did kennedy get so fat? he looks like bruney

  232. V

    :-(

  233. willisf

    Wow any word on what happened to Kennedy???

  234. jay destro

    wow wtf

  235. cortlandchick

    what!?!! no IPK?????

  236. sara

    what the hell? What happened to ian???

  237. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    The look on Girardi’s face said it all. Obviously this is not good. Poor Bruney. Where’s Igawa when you need him.

  238. Steph

    Just what the Yanks needed…another injury. Here’s to hoping that Kennedy’s alright as well.

  239. sevrox

    the sky is falling the sky is falling

  240. SDJohn

    Dear God,

    Please help me understand why my Yankees are falling like flies, and hitting like drunk hamsters?

  241. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    What the frack? Bruney is starting? What happened to Ian?

  242. Gitmo

    Shouldn’t Joba replace Kennedy in the rotation?

    Just kidding.

  243. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    You know, when the injury bug bites…

  244. jim

    why not start joba here.. i mean, both are working out of the pen, atleast joba is groomed to be a starter. you’d think he’d be more prepared for this role.

  245. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    Cone said he looked like he was pitching gingerly in his warm up. Also said maybe he just couldn’t get loosened up.

    When the going gets tough the tough get going.

    COME ON YANKEES!

  246. Steph

    I have a feeling they’ll stretch Bruney as far as possible, send him down, and bring up some pitching if Kennedy’s really hurting.

  247. Ramon2

    WE ARE CURSED !

  248. SDJohn

    Does this mean I’m gonna have to see Kei Igawa soon? F that, I hope it’s Horne

  249. Boston Dave

    Durham,

    you are incorrect about that. they are kidding around. Orsillo said yesterday that any former player can be a good game analyst and Remy, jokingly, took it to mean that anybody can do his job.

  250. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, (aka Joe)

    I blame it on the stupid cold weather.

    Oh, I almost forgot, Bruney?? WTF????

  251. Jimmy 27

    No one told Stering and Suzyn.

  252. SDJohn

    It’s early, but will we attempt a straight steal at all this year?

  253. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    I need a drink. Vodka or Tequila? hhmm decisions

  254. trisha - count on me for an alternate route

    I don’t have the energy for this server tonight.

    I don’t think Singleton should have said what he did about Greinke. I didn’t really need to know information that personal about the poor guyh.

    Enjoy the game.

  255. Beezr

    Why can’t YES get the f-in story? Seems kinda silly. Don’t they have Girardi’s cell phone number?

    God, this whole beginning of the season reminds of…last season.

  256. chris

    why is brian bruney starting tonight …..what happened with kennedy and where did this injury bug come from

  257. Fran

    Here we go again! Can we get Cano out of the #2 hole.

  258. jennifer-Phil Hughes saved!! Mussina is NOT DONE! anti-anti

    Nooo to Kei Igawa!! :cry:

  259. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Pete, can you give us anything on Ian?

  260. RobNY

    These royals announcers are killing me…. any news on IPK?

  261. DMan

    Wow, uh… Lets not panic yet..

    But this isn’t exactly the pattern we wanted to start with!

  262. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    1 down, 26 to go.

  263. Christa

    Has Bruney ever started before?

  264. mattseattleusa

    Having to deal with the Royals announcers on Extra Innings..they say the Yankees have not released any info on the Status of IPK…

  265. Josiah

    Kennedy isn’t injured!
    He is coming it later if the weather cooperates cuz storms are on the way in KC

  266. DJ

    Igawa and Mussina in our rotation with our prospects all undervalued by every GM in the sport? Let’s hope vehemently that this is as short term as possible.

    Unless they consider moving Joba to the rotation earlier than planned, then move him back to the pen later.

  267. greg

    What will it take to convince the Yanks that Cano cannot hit in the top half of the order!

  268. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    The server for this blog is driving me batty.

    Oh man, this bullpen is gonna be tired by the time we play Boston.

  269. Jimmy 27

    IPK NOT HURT!!!!

    It is weather related!

  270. Jeff NJ

    Ian out for rain only, not an injury.

  271. THEcanoCANNON

    kennedy is fine he just will pitch later on in the game if the weather holds up

  272. DJ

    And that explanation Singleton just gave is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard.

    They delayed his start because it’s going to rain?

  273. Jax

    Rain is coming and that’s why Kennedy isn’t starting.

  274. frits

    they are saying on YES that the yanks said that rain is 40 minutes away and that they didnt want to waste kennedy’s start. if the rain comes, he won’t pitch, but if the rain doesn’t come then he will. they’re saying it looks like its starting now…

  275. Boston Dave

    according to KC announcers…. “Alberto Castillo makes the play”

  276. DurhamYankee

    Boston Dave:
    Thanks for clearing things up. It was probably the first time I have had them not on mute. Maybe thats why I don’t get their humor.

  277. YankeeXDev

    Well at least we know it wasn’t an injury just a weather issue

  278. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Curiouser and curiouser.

  279. CaptainsCorner

    This game is 1 of the main reasons why this team needs a long man. The bullpen is going to be absolutely dead by the end of the week. Kennedy 2 innings last week, Hughes 3 innings yesterday. How smart are the Yanks?? Kennedy didn’t start because of the rain???

  280. Rudy

    Girardi is a genius.

  281. Richard

    Listening to the WCBS live broadcast and they reported that a really bad weather front is looming and Girardi didn’t want to start Kennedy if the weather suddenly turned bad after he’d only pitched a few innings.

  282. Rob

    Yay, Girardi learned from his errant ways in marlin land, our pitchers will survive next season too.

  283. jay destro

    ok to quote Rebecca “torre would not have done this”

    yup.

  284. Fran

    Interesting move by Girardi. Doesn’t want to waste Kennedy’s start to a rain delay or rain out. If there is a delay Kennedy can come in after. And it is now raining in KC.

  285. Steph

    And it’s pouring.

  286. NSK

    Joe Girardi is a genius! Give Kennedy some rest, don’t make him overwork, and everything is good. Hopefully Bruney will be okay for 3 or 4 innings.

  287. DJ

    frits,

    You came in last place. But you get the gold medal for most thorough report. :D

  288. RB

    regarding holding IPK back….I really like how Girardi is thinking, why put the kid out there for an inning or two and then have the game get cancelled

  289. mel

    SA,

    The blog crashed with news of IPK being scratched!

  290. Sterling Steiner

    This is a move that can either be really, really smart, or come back and bite Girardi in the behind.

  291. S.A.-Phil Hughes is Saved and will be fine! Goodness..

    I was having a heart attack for nothing

  292. jennifer-Phil Hughes saved!! Mussina is NOT DONE! anti-anti