The LoHud Yankees Blog

Alex Rodriguez has an injury and could miss the WBC.

Derek Jeter was a hit as an opposing player yesterday. Even Dustin Pedroia loves the Captain.

Phil Hughes looked sharp. This notebook also has news from Mariano Rivera, A.J. Burnett and others.

Sam Borden has an interesting column about how A-Rod leaves even Dominicans conflicted.

The Yankees seem intent on supporting the NBA this spring.

CC Sabathia has been a regular at Magic games. Joba Chamberlain was there tonight along with Chien-Ming Wang, who flipped some souvenir balls to the crowd.

Jobs looks pretty studious in those glasses.

We interrupt news on A-Rod with some baseball:

If you watched the game today, you may have noticed that Phil Hughes had a nice, tight curveball. It looked different than the curve he used to throw and I asked him about it.

Hughes explained that he’s throwing his curve with the same arm speed as his fastball. So instead of a big loop (picture Mike Mussina’s curve), it goes to the plate on a straighter plane but still has some action as it gets there. It’s how A.J. Burnett throws his curve.

Hughes devoted a lot of time in the Arizona Fall League to working on that particular pitch. “It’s hard to change because you get used to throwing a pitch a certain way,” he said. “In games, you tend to go back to what is comfortable. But they’ve been staying on me to throw the power curve more. I have to trust it and I do.”

That was the pitch he fanned Adam Dunn on.

Hughes also has changed the grip on his change-up. He throws it like a splitter.

Consistent arm speed is huge for a pitcher, as that is how you deceive the hitter. If the hitter can see a pitcher’s arm slowing down, he can adjust to a breaking pitch or a change-up.

It’s important to remember, I think, that Hughes is 22 and is still learning his craft. He said that often times last year, he went to the mound armed only with his fastball and that looping curve. Now he has a fastball, a tighter curve, a change-up he likes and a cutter that is getting better and better.

Hughes allowed three hits against a great lineup today. One was a bleeder by Dustin Pedroia. Ryan Braun shattered his bat on a single to left. Then Derek Jeter got one of his “I’ve done this a million times” 17-hopper up the middle that scored two runs with two outs. If you watched Hughes today, you saw a guy who can be special.

“He was impressive,” Jorge Posada said. “Everything I saw, I liked.”

Scott Aldred, who really knows his stuff, will be the pitching coach in AAA this year. He worked with Hughes in Arizona. That will help Hughes continue the progress he is making.

Obviously, it’s about health in the end. Counting Arizona and everything else, Hughes has thrown only 220 innings the last two seasons. That’s about 130 innings fewer than they would have hoped. There is no replacing that experience.

If he stays healthy, Hughes can do some great things. He may start the season in Scranton, but Hughes is going to play a significant role with the Yankees this season one way or another. He’s too good not to.

A report on the New York Times web site said that Alex Rodriguez has a cyst on his hip, is scheduled to be examined by a specialist and could miss the WBC as a result.

More on this story as it develops.

UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: A cyst is essentially a sore spot on the bone. It’s usually a minor thing. But the Yankees could try and keep Rodriguez out of the tournament. Rodriguez will reportedly be seen by a specialist in Colorado tomorrow.

UPDATE, 8:32 p.m.: Statement from the Yankees:

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will fly to Vail, Colo., on Wednesday, and will be examined and evaluated by Dr. Marc Phillipon, a hip specialist at Steadman-Hawkins Clinic.

Any future determinations or comments regarding Rodriguez will take place only after his appointment with Dr. Phillipon, and the exchange of information between the doctor, the team and Rodriguez is complete.

UPDATE, 8:57 p.m.: First off, congratulations to Dr. Marc Phillipon. You must be a pretty big deal to be able to tell the Yankees on Saturday that their best player can’t get an appointment until Wednesday.

Two things:

· If this were serious, the Yankees would not have allowed Rodriguez to play in spring training games. Teams shut players down in spring training for paper cuts.

· However, the Yankees are no fans of the WBC and would gladly take the opportunity to pull Rodriguez out if they can. MLB and the Dominicans might fight that. MLB wants superstars in their tournament. Rodriguez himself seems to have a genuine interest in playing.

It appears we will find out more tomorrow. The moral of the story: A-Rod is always the story.

A-Rod may want Jose Reyes with the Yankees. But Team USA is happy with Derek Jeter.

Jeter was named captain of the team by manager Davey Johnson. His locker at the team base in Clearwater is right between David Wright of the Mets and Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies.

“Derek is the peacemaker,” Wright joked.

Wright was then asked about playing with Jeter.

“As a young player in New York, there are certain guys you try to emulate, certain guys that you want to learn from both on and off the field,” he said. “I’m excited to have a locker next to him and to play next to him so I can pick hopefully his brain a little bit. Both on and off the field, obviously he’s a class act on and off. I’m interested to get inside his head.”

Dustin Pedroia spoke glowingly about getting to know Jeter for the first time at the All-Star Game last season.

“It was the first time I actually got a chance to talk to him other than on the field asking him how he was doing, things like that. It’s awesome to pick his brain and see what makes him go. He’s a special player,” he said. “It’s fun playing against those guys. They’re such great players and they play the game the right way. I think the fans and the media think it’s a big rivalry. But I know there’s respect going on from both sides and that’s what makes playing the Yankees special.”

Alex Rodriguez told reporters in Jupiter today that he wished Jose Reyes played for the Yankees. Uh-oh.

He later then sent word through a team PR man that his comments shouldn’t be taken as a shot at Derek Jeter. But of course it’ll still be seen that way.

It’s truly amazing the fixes this guys gets himself into. It really is.

UPDATE, 5:31 p.m: Here is what A-Rod said: “I wish (Reyes) was leading off on our team or playing on our team. That’s fun to watch.”

Jose Reyes is a terrific player and it may have been an innocent comment. But given Alex’s history with Jeter, he should have found a different way to say something nice about Reyes. It just doesn’t make sense.

UPDATE, 5:54 p.m.: A buddy of mine just sent me a text. Would you trade A-Rod for Wright straight up? The Yankees would have to include some money. But you’d have to think about it hard, right?

It sort of makes sense. A-Rod was a Mets fan growing up. The Mets need a power hitter and somebody to draw attention to their second-tier franchise. He’d fit right in with their clubhouse and get to play with Reyes. The Yankees would benefit because they’d get younger and be rid of the headache.

The only problem: The Mets would never do it.

YANKEES
Damon LF
Gardner CF
Teixeira 1B
Posada DH
Nady RF
Ransom 2B
Cash C
Berroa SS
Leone 3B

Pitching: Phil Hughes followed by Coke, Dunn, Veras, Hacker, Robertson, Texeira

TEAM USA
Pedroia 2B
Jeter SS
Jones DH
Wright 3B
Dunn RF
Youkilis 1B
Braun LF
McCann C
Granderson CF

Pitching: Roy Oswalt followed by Jon Broxton, Matt Lindstrom, Brad Ziegler, Matt Thornton and LaTroy Hawkins.

Notes: The game will be on YES. First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m. … Team USA has been in flux. Joe Nathan, Brian Fuentes and B.J. Ryan bailed out and were replaced by the likes of LaTroy Hawkins, Joel Hanrahan and Heath Bell. … Derek Jeter figures to get a big cheer from the crowd when he is introduced as Team USA’s shortstop. This is his second WBC with them.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 9:33 a.m.: You know who’s not too happy? Brian Bruney. He very much wants to be on Team USA and had his agent, Gregg Clifton, make a call on his behalf. But when Davey Johnson and Bob Watson went looking for replacement relievers, they went with Heath Bell, John Grabow, Joel Hanrahan and LaTroy Hawkins instead.

Just more wood for the motivational fire. Bruney is already ticked that so many people think the Yankees need Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen.

UPDATE, 10:02 p.m.: Here is the Team USA pitching staff:

Starters: Roy Oswalt, Ted Lilly, Jeremy Guthrie, Jake Peavy

Relievers: Heath Bell, Jon Broxton, Brian Fuentes, John Grabow, Brad Ziegler, Scot Shields, J.J. Putz, Matt Thornton, Matt Lindstrom, J.P. Howell, LaTroy Hawkins, Joel Hanrahan.

The Yankees have a better rotation than that. But it’s a good bullpen. At any rate, I’m headed down to the field.

UPDATE, 10:44 p.m.: Here’s Jeter in his new hat. Looks weird, doesn’t it?

UPDATE, 11:07 a.m.: In case you’re wondering, Joba has not thrown anything at Youkilis. Not yet anyway.

UPDATE, 12:12 p.m.: Jeter and several of his Team USA teammates will do the Top 10 on the Letterman show on Thursday. Could there be some A-Rod jokes?

It’s sunny and 57 in Tampa, by the way. Not great but we’ve heard about all the snow in the Northeast.

UPDATE, 12:31 p.m.: I did not get a chance to see it as I was over with Team USA. But A.J. Burnett threw his simulated game today. He threw about 30 pitches, Dave Eiland said. “He was happy, so we were happy,” he said. “He was good, everything was fine.”

Burnett is scheduled to pitch on Sunday against Detroit in Lakeland.

Meanwhile, CMW felt “really good” after his two innings yesterday. The foot is officially no longer an issue.

UPDATE, 1:09 p.m.: This game is not sold out. Lots of empty seats down the lines. These games were added after the original schedule was announced. … Meanwhile, in case you were wondering, the games against Team USA and Team Canada will not count in the spring standings or in the stats. Not that it really matters.

UPDATE, 1:11 p.m.: Just a hunch, but I bet Phil Hughes pitches really well today.

UPDATE, 1:18 p.m.: Hughes gave up a bleeder single by Pedroia. Then he got the shortstop to ground into a double play. That guy stinks.

UPDATE, 1:26 p.m.: That gritty, gutty Brett Gardner singled, went to third on a single by Tex and scored on a single by Posada. Then Nady went 1-6-3 to end the inning. 1-0 Yankees.

UPDATE, 1:34 p.m.: Hey, look, it’s Phil Hughes. Fanned Wright looking with a cutter. Fanned Dunn looking at a filthy curve. Got Youkilis to fly to right.

25 pitches, 16 strikes. He could go back out there if they want. He’s got 10-15 more in him.

UPDATE, 1:39 p.m.: Great play by Pedroia ranging deep behind second and making a strong throw to get Cash. If Cano had half as much giddy-up, he’d be an All-Star. … Meanwhile, Hughes is back out there.

UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.: For the third time in three games, Hughes had hit a batter with an 0-1 pitch. He has been told to bust every hitter inside when he gets to that count. He barely brushed Granderson’s jesey.

It costs him as Jeter gets up and delivers a two-run single. 2-1 USA.

UPDATE, 1:54 p.m.: Hughes’ line: 2.2 3 2 2 0 2. 41 pitches / 25 strikes.

UPDATE, 1:59 p.m.: Gardner, another single and another SB. He’s 7 for 12 this spring with three SBs.

UPDATE, 2:08 p.m.: Coke just fanned Dunn and Braun swinging. Youkilis grounded out. Nice work by the Yankee pitchers today so far.

UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: That rotten Youkilis didn’t scoop that throw from Jeter on purpose. … Meanwhile, what happened to the lumberjack beard?

UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Nice work by Phil Coke. 2.1 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks 2 strikeouts.

UPDATE, 2:29 p.m.: Could Brett Gardner be added to Team USA by the end of the afternoon? He just doubled, making him 3 for 3.

Gardner’s final 15 games last season were pretty good as he adjusted to the pitching. He seems to be picking up where he left off. At some point, it’s not a fluke.

Meanwhile, the idea that Melky is a better defensive player is simply incorrect. Melky has a better arm. Gardner takes better routes to the ball and is much faster. You take the better outfielder over the better arm every day. The odds are much higher that a CF will track down a few balls in the gap then to throw somebody out.

UPDATE, 2:42 p.m.: Eric Hacker is getting the game get loose, aided by an Angel Berroa error at shortstop. It’s 4-1 Team USA as Jeter singles and scores.

UPDATE, 2:44 p.m.: Make that 6-1 as Youkilis delivers a two-run single to right. Hard to ask a AA kid to face this lineup.

Chien-Ming Wang was back on the mound yesterday and looked like his old self. That was a relief for Joe Girardi.

CC Sabathia threw a simulated game. This notebook also has updates on Jorge Posada, Phil Hughes, Jesus Montero and Melky Cabrera.

Rob Butcher, the PR guy for Team USA, e-mailed this photo tonight.

It’s Joe Girardi, circa 1985, when he played for the U.S. collegiate national team.

Scattered thoughts jotted down while sitting in the sun …

· I’m sure there is some good business reason for this. But shouldn’t The YES Network cover spring training? They will televise 10 games from Florida, which is great. But why not have a 30-minute news show every night? If I can get 200 blog comments on a cheesy photo of CC Sabathia, YES can make money on a show from here.

· The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has jumped the shark. And the body paint thing is just stupid. We get it, you want to make 14-year-olds squint. They need a new hook.

· Did you know Joe Girardi was a big Seinfeld fan? Neither did I. He can quote lines from the show verbatim.

· The players parking lot is about 120 yards from the entrance to the clubhouse at Steinbrenner Field. But some guys take golf carts to and from their cars. Apparently the professional athletes don’t want to push themselves too much.

· Jose Veras has a Mac and he watches You Tube clips at his locker every morning while other guys gather around and laugh. Veras is quite adept with Mac software, too. I went over to ask him about the WBC last week and we ended up talking about iPhoto.

· The hotel I’m staying at is a block away from a combination gas station/Subway. How desperate do you have to be to get a sandwich from a gas station?

· I have satellite radio in my rental car. There’s a Playboy channel that consists of a male host describing how hot the girls are sitting in the studio while they giggle. I’m fairly sure this is why other countries hate us.

· Many people told me to watch Friday Night Lights and I never did. But when the Circuit City in my neighborhood went out of business I purchased Season One on DVD and then Season Two about a week later. Now I’m hooked. No offense to Derek Jeter, but Coach Taylor’s wife is the hottest babe on the show.

· Nick Swisher wore a ski cap in Fort Myers the other day when it was 85 degrees. He has a screw or two loose but if he gets on base, nobody will care.

· Eric Duncan, the former first-round pick, was not invited to major league camp. But he has been in Florida working out at the minor-league complex for more than a month. If desire counted, he would be a great player. But desire never trumps talent at this level.

· The Yankees have a pile of good arms in the minors and not many slots open in the rotation this year or in the years to come. It will be very interesting to see what becomes of guys like Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Andrew Brackman, Dellin Betances, Zach McAllister, Alan Horne, George Kontos, Jeremy Bleich, etc.

You can never have enough pitching. But if Brian Cashman wants to make a deal in July, he has a lot of chips.

· Watching Mariano Rivera sign a baseball is memorable. He takes the ball, slowly turns it to the right spot and oh-so-carefully writes his name in perfect script. Then he blows on the ball to make sure the ink is dry. Most guys can sign five balls in the time it takes him to sign one.

· From what I can tell, no home in Florida is built with a kitchen. Every restaurant is full every night.

· ESPN had a reporter around the Yankees every day from Feb. 11 to March 1. They finally disappeared today.

· The Blue Jays have a chance to really stink. Worse than the Orioles, even.

· Does one person you know care a whit about the WBC? But it’s popular in Asia, which is probably good enough for the MLB marketing people. A Japanese reporter I know said his paper has nine staffers covering the semifinals. Nine.

· If you think Tampa Bay’s 2008 season was a fluke, think again. One of their kid pitchers, Wade Davis, made the Yankees look silly the other day. They’re stocked.

· Paper Planes by MIA is a catchy song. But sampling Straight To Hell by The Clash is what makes it catchy. Those boys were way ahead of their time.

· Dry cleaners need to stop killing the planet. Just like my cleaner in New York, the one I use in Florida wraps four shirts in enough plastic to fill up a garbage can. There has to be a better way.

· I don’t believe Joe Torre realizes how many people in the organization feel betrayed by what he wrote in his book. Or, to be accurate, what Tom Verducci wrote at his behest. None of what he wrote was incorrect, but it was unseemly to betray so many confidences. Girardi comes off looking better now. He has quirks, sure. But at least he’s loyal.

· The average fan has no idea how hard guys like Dave Eiland and Kevin Long work. It used to be that being pals with the manager was how you became a pitching coach or hitting coach. No longer. Those guys are like NFL coordinators with all they do.

OK, getting back on the road to Tampa. Thanks to everybody for reading today.