The LoHud Yankees Blog

A.J. Burnett was perfect yesterday and his arrival in New York could be a case of perfect timing.

Jorge Posada will catch today for the first time. This notebook also has updates on Mariano Rivera, Robinson Cano, Damaso Marte, Jason Johnson, Edwar Ramiez and word on some cuts.

Late report today. Back later with the lineup.

Just wanted to make sure everybody had this information released by the Yankees today:

The New York Yankees announced today that the online registration process for the general public to apply for the opportunity to purchase tickets for individual games in the inaugural season at Yankee Stadium is underway at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com. The registration process will be open to fans through Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 p.m. Due to the large demand for individual-game tickets, a random drawing will be held from the registrant pool. Those selected from the pool will be notified on Friday, March 20, at which time they will receive a password, which will allow them to purchase tickets online only on Monday, March 23, prior to the general public on-sale.

Prior to the public on-sale, all Yankees Premium, Full-Season and 41-Game Ticket Licensees will be able to purchase individual-game tickets, online only, via a pre-on-sale on Thursday, March 19. On the following day, Friday, March 20, all other Partial Plan Licensees (of 20-, 15-, 12- and 11-Game Plans) will be permitted to purchase individual-game tickets online only as well. For complete information, including ticket limits, please visit yankees.com.

Beginning Wednesday, March 25, tickets may also be purchased at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, at all area Ticketmaster outlets, via Ticketmaster by phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327, and at all Yankees Clubhouse Shops.

The Yankee Stadium Ticket Office is located outside the new Yankee Stadium adjacent to Gate 4 on 161st Street and Jerome Avenue. Beginning March 25, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The first games in Yankee Stadium will be exhibition contests vs. the Chicago Cubs on April 3 at 7:05 p.m. (gates to open at 4:00 p.m.) and April 4 at 1:05 p.m. (gates to open at 10:00 a.m.). Full-season ticket licensees will receive complimentary tickets for both games. Partial-plan holders will receive the opportunity to purchase tickets, subject to availability, via the pre-on-sales previously described. Also subject to availability, tickets will be made available in the general public online-only on-sale on Monday, March 23, and to all fans via www.yankees.com, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, all area Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster by phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327, and at all Yankees Clubhouse Shops, beginning March 24.

For the exhibition games vs. the Cubs, Bleachers tickets will be 25¢, and Grandstand tickets will be $1.10 — the same prices they were the day the original Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923. Tickets on the Terrace Level will cost between $20-35, tickets on the Main Level will be priced between $20-45, and tickets on the Field Level will range from $45-$50.

This update from the Yankees:

Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte underwent initial physical examinations this evening at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Yankees Team Physician, Dr. Chris Ahmad, examined both players.

Both players will undergo MRI scans tomorrow in Tampa.

————

Inflammation and tendinitis are words that teams use when they aren’t sure what is wrong — or they don’t want to say. We should know more tomorrow after the MRI results come back. It is worth noting that Marte now has a shoulder injury, not a strained chest muscle as was initially reported.

Cano played catch today and had an an-bat in the game against Houston. Marte was shut down. Neither injury appears serious. But that’s what everybody thought about A-Rod until he went out to Colorado.

UPDATE, 6:25 p.m.: In other WBC news, Dustin Pedroia has an oblique strain and was sent to Fort Myers to be checked out by Boston’s team doc. Think Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein have talked about how much they love the WBC?

The game is over here in Tampa. The Yankees beat the Astros 3-1. Meanwhile in Bradenton, a Jesus Montero grand slam has helped the Yankees take a 13-5 lead. The game is close to being done, we’re told.

(I’ll be honest, I wanted to go to Bradenton to see Hughes, Montero and Austin Jackson play. But common sense said to stay here and watch Burnett. He does get hurt on occasion.)

Meanwhile, the hard-working media relations staff of the Yankees showed their versatility today. With no New York reporters in Bradenton, Mike Margolis obtained a quote from Phil Hughes for us.

“My command wasn’t perfect and I was behind in the count a lot, nibbling with my fastball. The home run to Morgan was a decent pitch and the other, I was behind in the count,” he said. “I was trying to get my change-up some work and mix in some cutters. I feel strong. I feel good.”

Mike also e-mailed Ian Kennedy’s line. That was 3 3 0 0 1 5 with one hit batter.

Meanwhile, Lauren Moran debuted as the press box announcer and official scorer in Tampa. She did admirable work.

Finally, here are a few notes from our post-game conversation with Joe Girardi:

· He spoke to Alex Rodriguez — remember him? — yesterday. A-Rod is off crutches, feeling good and about to move his rehab into a pool. He is in the proverbial good spirits.

· Colin Curtis and Austin Romine were reassigned to the minor-league camp while Mike Dunn was optioned out. I bet we see Dunn again this season.

· Edwar Ramirez pitched in his first game today and felt fine

* SEE THE UPDATE AT 10:08 A.M. FOR TICKET INFORMATION *

SPLIT-SQUAD YANKEES vs. ASTROS
Gardner CF
Damon LF
Nady RF
Matsui DH
Ransom 2B
Molina C
Miranda 1B
Berroa SS
Leone 3B

Pitching: A.J.Burnett followed by Dan Giese, Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez, Christian Garcia.

ASTROS
Matsui DH
Michaels CF
Pence RF
Blum 3B
Boone 1B
Newhan 2B
Abercrombie LF
Towles C
Manzella SS

Pitching today: Wandy Rodriguez.

SPLIT-SQUAD YANKEES at PIRATES
Cabrera CF
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Posada DH
Jackson LF
Cash C
Bernier 2B
Russo 3B
Pena SS

Pitching: Phil Hughes followed by Ian Kennedy, Jason Johnson, Jon Albaladejo, Mark Melancon.

Notes: The Astros game will be on YES and WCBS. … Mariano Rivera will throw BP today, his final hurdle before getting cleared to pitch in a game.

UPDATE, 10:04 a.m.: Ross Ohlendorf will face the Yankees in Bradenton. He, of course, was traded to the Pirates last season in the Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte deal. … The Yankees called up 1B-3B Eric Duncan, INF Walter Ibarra and OF Edwar Gonzalez from the minor league camp for the game at Steinbrenner Field. … Mo is going throw BP at 10:25 a.m. over on Field 2.

* * * UPDATE, 10:08 a.m.: The Yankees just issued this release on tickets:

The New York Yankees announced today that the online registration process for the general public to apply for the opportunity to purchase tickets for individual games in the inaugural season at Yankee Stadium is underway at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com. The registration process will be open to fans through Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 p.m. Due to the large demand for individual-game tickets, a random drawing will be held from the registrant pool. Those selected from the pool will be notified on Friday, March 20, at which time they will receive a password, which will allow them to purchase tickets online only on Monday, March 23, prior to the general public on-sale.

Prior to the public on-sale, all Yankees Premium, Full-Season and 41-Game Ticket Licensees will be able to purchase individual-game tickets, online only, via a pre-on-sale on Thursday, March 19. On the following day, Friday, March 20, all other Partial Plan Licensees (of 20-, 15-, 12- and 11-Game Plans) will be permitted to purchase individual-game tickets online only as well. For complete information, including ticket limits, please visit yankees.com.

Beginning Tuesday, March 24, tickets may also be purchased at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, at all area Ticketmaster outlets, via Ticketmaster by phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327, and at all Yankees Clubhouse Shops.

The Yankee Stadium Ticket Office is located outside the new Yankee Stadium adjacent to Gate 4 on 161st Street and Jerome Avenue. Beginning March 25, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The first games in Yankee Stadium will be exhibition contests vs. the Chicago Cubs on April 3 at 7:05 p.m. (gates to open at 4:00 p.m.) and April 4 at 1:05 p.m. (gates to open at 10:00 a.m.). Full-season ticket licensees will receive complimentary tickets for both games. Partial-plan holders will receive the opportunity to purchase tickets, subject to availability, via the pre-on-sales previously described. Also subject to availability, tickets will be made available in the general public online-only on-sale on Monday, March 23, and to all fans via www.yankees.com, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, all area Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster by phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327, and at all Yankees Clubhouse Shops, beginning March 24.

For the exhibition games vs. the Cubs, Bleachers tickets will be 25¢, and Grandstand tickets will be $1.10 — the same prices they were the day the original Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923. Tickets on the Terrace Level will cost between $20-35, tickets on the Main Level will be priced between $20-45, and tickets on the Field Level will range from $45-$50.

UPDATE, 10:55 a.m.: Mariano Rivera just threw 40 pitches in BP to Justin Leone and Colin Curtis. I thought he looked much better than he did the other day. He threw some unhittable cutters and his ball was darting.

Rivera thought he left some pitches high, which he attributed to throwing with a screen in front of him.

The important news: He was scheduled to throw 30, but he felt so good that he threw 10 more and his next step will be pitching in a game.

“Oh, yeah. Everything is good,” he said when asked about his shoulder. “No problem.”

Rivera is scheduled to face the Pirates on Tuesday here at Steinbrenner Field. He said he has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

UPDATE, 11:16 a.m.: Here is Joe Girardi signing for some folks watching on Field 2 this morning. The manager always seems to try and make time to sign.

As I was taking this award-winning photo, I ran into a couple of blog readers from Scranton. So hello to them, hope you’re having a good time.

UPDATE, 1:30 p.m.: We’re underway here at Big Stein Field. Yankees lead 1-0 on a Johnny Damon home run in the first. Burnett retired the side in order to start the game, throwing 11 pitches.

UPDATE, 1:50 p.m.: Nine up and nine down for Burnett. Two live drives were caught. He struck out two. He’s insanely good on days like this. He looks like he’s barely working at it and the ball sizzles out of his hands. His curveball is hard and has that bite on it at the end.

UPDATE, 2:02 p.m.: If this were a real game, you’d be calling all your friends to tell them to put on YES because Burnett is going to throw a perfect game. He has been that good. 12 up, 12 down for Houston. He threw eight pitches in that inning.

UPDATE, 2:18 p.m.: Bit of a rough start for Phil Hughes in Bradenton: 3 2 2 2 3 2. Two home runs. 56 pitches, 27 strikes.

Meanwhile the Yankees lead 3-0 here and Cody Ransom has two more hits.

UPDATE, 2:38 p.m.: Burnett threw 40 pitches, 32 for strikes. He went to the bullpen afterward to throw 10 more from the stretch.

UPDATE, 2:40 p.m.: Here’s the audio of A.J. Burnett’s session with the media that just got over down in the clubhouse. If you are somebody who questioned his signing — and that remains a very legitimate position — have a listen.

Burnett talked about learning how to be efficient, taking care of his body and his desire to accomplish something in the game. I found his comments very revealing:

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UPDATE, 3:17 p.m.: Brian Bruney in to pitch the eighth inning as the Yankees try and hold a 3-1 lead. Eric Duncan playing first base.

UPDATE, 3:26 p.m.: Robinson Cano just pinch hit and grounded out. He has not seen Dr. Ahmad yet, by the way. Supposed to be in an hour or so.

I forgot to mention this before, but Chien-Ming Wang went home early. He’s fighting a cough and cold.

Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte returned injured from the WBC.

Chien-Ming Wang had a rough night against the Red Sox. This notebook also has updates on Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and other tidbits.

I asked the Yankees if there was any update regarding the sale of single-game tickets. I was told they were working on something up in the Bronx.

Meanwhile, Yankees.com has this link to a “2009 Ticket Opportunity.” E-mails also went out this evening to fans registered on MLB.com

From what I can tell, there will be a lottery for the right to purchase single-game tickets. That sale will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 23.

The registration period started at noon on today and ends at 10 p.m. on Tuesday. A “random drawing” will be held on Wednesday to decide who gets to participate in the on-line sale.

It’s unclear whether there will be any other single-ticket sales. Could they sell out the entire season before it starts? That would seem unlikely, but you never know.

UPDATE, 10:06 a.m. on Saturday: There will be a second sale of single-game tickets. This according to the Yankees:

Also subject to availability, tickets will be made available in the general public online-only on-sale on Monday, March 23, and to all fans via www.yankees.com, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, all area Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster by phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327, and at all Yankees Clubhouse Shops, beginning March 24.

———

Meanwhile, the Yankees were beaten 8-4 tonight.

Joe Girardi told us after the game that he called Jorge Posada back in Tampa. His throwing session today went well. Posada remains on track to catch on Sunday.

Cody Ransom took a throw in the back of the neck but he’s OK.

The Yankees aren’t thrilled with Robbie Cano failing to mention his shoulder was right before he left for the WBC. “It was a shock to me,” Girardi said.

Cano and Damaso Marte will see Dr. Chris Ahmad tomorrow to get checked out.

Long drive back to Tampa time. Thanks for reading tonight.

YANKEES
Gardner CF
Ransom 3B
Miranda 1B
Nady RF
J. Rodriguez DH
Molina C
Duncan LF
Berroa 2B
Pena SS

Pitching tonight: Chien-Ming Wang followed by Brett Tomko, Mike Dunn and Anthony Claggett.

RED SOX
Ellsbury CF
Lugo SS
Ortiz DH
Lowell 3B
Drew RF
Bay LF
Wilkerson 1B
Kottaras C
Chavez 2B

Pitching tonight: Tim Wakefield followed by Jonathan Papelbon, Takashi Saito, Daniel Bard and Junichi Tazawa.

Notes: The game is down in Fort Myers, two hours and change away. So check back later for updates from City of Palms Park. … Robbie Cano and Damaso Marte are back but won’t play until tomorrow.

UPDATE, 1:41 p.m.: Damaso Marte returned from the WBC with a sore left pectoral muscle and will see a doctor tomorrow. Robinson Cano has a sore right shoulder and also will get checked out.

Girardi as you might guess is not thrilled.

UPDATE, 2:22 p.m.: MLB Network contacted me. The game will be blacked out in the New York area. YES would not grant permission to lift the blackout. I’m going to contact YES to try and find out why.

Meanwhile, Damaso Marte said he injured himself lifting weights before he pitched in the final game of the WBC on Tuesday. Direct quote: “It doesn’t hurt when I pitch, only when I move.”

Well, that’s good. Marte thinks it’ll be 3-4 days before he pitches.

As for Cano, he said his shoulder was tight before he left for the WBC. Then he played every inning of three games. He said he thinks it’s just tight and he’s not hurt.

Both will see the doctor tomorrow.

UPDATE, 2:47 p.m.: According to MLB, YES also will not lift the blackouts of the games on March 22 and March 28. Still waiting for a YES response.

UPDATE, 5:05 p.m.: Here’s the latest on tonight’s TV mess. YES claims they never received a request from MLB Network to waive the blackout.

Bottom line: The game will not be on MLB Network in the New York area tonight. I’m not sure who is to blame, if anybody. But it seems pretty silly that fans are denied access to the game.

Meanwhile you still can enjoy the Yankees at the Red Sox on YES — from Oct. 2, 1978. Pay attention to Bucky Dent.

UPDATE, 5:25 p.m.: YES says they were never asked to give permission for the game to be shown. I was just told that the ultimate decision belongs to the team, the Yankees in this case. So apparently they did not grant permission.

As for baseball updates …

· Francisco Cervelli returned to Tampa today.

· Jason Johnson is scheduled to pitch in his first game tomorrow down in Bradenton. Joe Girardi said he still has time to make the roster.

· Jorge Posada will DH tomorrow and catch on Sunday.

· Edwar Ramirez will pitch tomorrow.

· Mo Rivera will throw BP tomorrow and pitch in a game on Tuesday.

· Remember Humberto Sanchez? He had the dreaded forearm tightness at the start of camp. He threw a bullpen today. He needs another bullpen and a BP session or two before getting in a game.

UPDATE, 7:07 p.m.: We’re underway here at City of Palms Park. It’s 76 degrees, huge crowd on hand and the Yankees are playing the Red Sox. Life is good.

UPDATE, 7:09 p.m.: GGBG worked a seven-pitch walk against Tim Wakefield to get the Yankees started. One would assume he steals second on the flutter-baller.

UPDATE, 7:12 p.m.: And Gardner steals second.

UPDATE, 7:19 p.m.: After Juan Miranda walked, Nady grounded into a double play to end the inning. Meanwhile the Wanger has induced two grounders to start the bottom of the first.

UPDATE, 7:21 p.m.: Big Papi (or “Big Daddy as Joe Torre used to inexplicably call him) grounded out as well. … Julio Lugo left the game with a sore knee. Ochoa is in for him at shortstop.

UPDATE, 7:30 p.m.: 1-0 Yankees. John Rodriguez reached on a dribbler out in front of the plate, went to second on a passed ball and then scored on a single by Angel Berroa.

Yanks have runners on first and second with one out. Shelley Duncan worked a walk in there as well.

UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: Wakefield struck out Gardner looking with runners on second and third and two outs, Gardner barked at umpire Jeff Kellogg a bit.

UPDATE, 7:36 p.m.: You want the good news or the bad news first? It seems a torn hip labrum is something you can get over. That’s the good news. The bad news is we know that because Mike Lowell just crushed a 1-1 Wang pitch over the wall in left.

UPDATE, 7:48 p.m.: Rough inning for Wang:

Home run by Lowell
Drew singles
Bay strikes out
Wilkerson grounds to first, Miranda throws the ball into center
Kottaras single
Chavez RBI single
Ellsbury grounds to first Miranda boots a double-play ball and gets only one out as another run scores.
Two-run single to center by Ochoa.

5-1 Boston.

UPDATE, 7:53 p.m.: Ortiz, two-run homer into the seats in right field. 7-1 Boston and that is it for Wang. Yikes.

UPDATE, 8:02 p.m.: Cody Ransom starts the bottom of the second with a triple off the top of the wall in right center.

UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: There’s no quit in those Yankees. After Miranda was hit by a pitch, Nady smacked a two-run double down the line in left then took third on an error. 7-3 Boston.

I’m not sure I agree with the scorer. But they’re saying six of the runs Wang allowed were unearned. Not that it really matters, he allowed six hits in 1.2 innings.

UPDATE, 8:09 p.m.: Jose Molina drops in a little single and it’s 7-4. That’s it for Wakefield.

These teams play long games no matter what, don’t they?

UPDATE, 8:21 p.m.: The Yankees left the bases loaded as Brett Gardner struck out swinging. Boston leads 7-4.

UPDATE, 8:29 p.m.: The Sox are serious about this one. They’re bringing Papelbon in for an 18-out save.

UPDATE, 8:55 p.m.: I asked the Yankees if there was going to be a press release regarding the sale of single-game tickets. I was told they were working on something up in the Bronx.

Meanwhile, Yankees.com had this link to a “2009 Ticket Opportunity.” E-mails also went out this evening to fans registered on MLB.com

From what I can tell, there will be a lottery for the right to purchase single-game tickets from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 23.

The registration period started at noon on Friday and ends at 10 p.m. on Tuesday. A “random drawing” will be held on Wednesday to decide who gets to participate in the on-line sale.

It’s unclear whether there will be any other single-ticket sales. Could they sell out the entire season before it starts? That would seem unlikely, but you never know.

UPDATE, 8:58 p.m.: Brett Tomko has thrown 3.1 scoreless at Boston. Still 7-4.

UPDATE, 9:16 p.m.: Kei Igawa just pitched another scoreless inning. Meanwhile, Junichi Tazawa is on to pitch for Boston. He’s the Japanese amateur player who asked NPL teams not to draft him then signed with the Red Sox, causing some waves in Japan.

Be interesting to see how he does.

The line on Tomko: 3.1 2 0 0 0 5. Impressive. He could be the long man.

Subs all around for both teams. This is Scranton vs. Pawtucket now.

UPDATE, 9:25 p.m.: Tomko has allowed two runs over 10.1 innings and stuck out 10 with one walk.

UPDATE, 9:47 p.m.: Half the crowd has gone. The dugouts are half empty, it’s the bottom of the eighth inning and there are like four drunks chanting “Yankees suck.”

Really? Your life has gotten to that point? It’s spring training, there are Hooters Girls walking around giving out free beer coupons. Just relax.

UPDATE, 9:56 p.m.: 8-4 Boston. Billy Traber (remember him?) in to pitch for the Red Sox.

Here’s why the Yankees aren’t crazy about the WBC:

Team USA played last Sunday against Venezuela. Since then they have played one game and won’t play again until tomorrow night against Puerto Rico in Miami.

So outside of four plate appearances as the DH on Wednesday in a meaningless game, Derek Jeter hasn’t had much to do other than cultivate his budding bromance with Dustin Pedroia.

Jeter will be ready for April 6; he knows what he needs to do. But it’s not fair to ask teams to give up their best players and then give them four plate appearances over a five-day period.

As you may have heard, Bernie Williams had a complaint filed against him in Puerto Rico.

His manager, Steve Fortunato, just released this statement:

Yesterday evening we learned of the filing of a complaint against Mr. Bernie Williams. The news has taken us all by surprise. On the night in question, Mr. Williams had gone out after accepting an invitation to be a guest performer with a local music act. Mr. Williams denies any wrongdoing and we feel that some published media reports today are inaccurate. At this time, Mr. Williams has been advised by his legal counsel, José M. Marxuach, to not make any further comments, inasmuch as we do not want to interfere with the ongoing investigation. We want to assure everyone that Mr. Williams will fully cooperate with the local authorities to have this matter clarified as soon as possible.