The LoHud Yankees Blog

YANKEES
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
Matsui DH
Molina C
Duncan RF
Jackson LF
Nunez SS
Pena 3B

Pitching today: Phil Hughes, Jason Johnson, Dave Robertson, Anthony Claggett, Kei Igawa.

Notes: The game starts at 1:05 and will not be on television or radio back to New York. … The Yankees have a seven-game win streak with them to Fort Myers. … I will not be attending the game. Instead I’m going over to the minor-league complex to watch Andy Pettitte pitch to Jorge Posada in an intrasquad game. Why? Well, Pettitte and Posada are important players for starters and I’m curious to see how Posada’s shoulder responds to catching a day game after a night game. The Yankees also will set up some situations where he has to throw under game conditions.

I’d also like to get a look at some of the prospects over there and hopefully start the process of getting familiar with them. It’s difficult sometimes to cover that aspect of the team because so much time is needed to keep tabs on the major-league squad.

That game will start at 1 p.m. So check back for some reports on Andy and Jorge.

UPDATE, 8:05 a.m.: I checked with Joe Girardi this morning. The reason Melky Cabrera started three games in a row was that Brett Gardner had to return home to take care of a personal issue. But he is back and back in the lineup today as you can see.

UPDATE, 9:55 a.m.: Our friends at the New Press in Fort Myers Have a live video feed of batting practice set to start at 10:15 a.m.

So you watch the Yankees take some BP this morning. The Twins will be first, then the Yanks.

UPDATE, 12:59 p.m.: Here we are at the minor-league complex.

Pettitte is pitching for AA Trenton against AAA Scranton. He’ll toss four innings. George Kontos and Zach McAllister will oppose Andy.

UPDATE, 1:29 p.m.: Pettitte has thrown two innings. One batter reached on an error and was picked off. Posada is 0 for 2.

UPDATE, 2:05 p.m.: Pettitte has thrown 50 pitches. One run over four innings.

UPDATE, 2:16 p.m.: In Fort Myers, Twins lead 1-0. Hughes has allowed one run over four innings.

UPDATE, 2:59 p.m.: OK, back from the minor-league complex. Just watched Andy Pettitte pitch what amounted to 5.1 innings. He allowed one run on three hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. He threw 44 of 65 pitches for strikes.

Pettitte faced a lineup of minor-league players: Jimmy Paredes, Colin Curtis, Andres Perez, Eric Duncan, Chris Malec, Dave Williams, Emerson Landoni and Jose Gil.

I know that’s eight players. That’s who hit.

Pettitte’s only rough inning was the third when he allowed three singles and a walk. That led to a run.

Jorge Posada, meanwhile, made three game-condition throws to second base as runners were put on first and ordered to steal.

The first throw bounced at the bag but beat the runner. The second one he had no chance on as Pettitte was slow to the plate and Perez went on his first move. Then a kid named Edwar Gonzalez ran in the final inning. He was safe but Posada made a strong throw that the infielder fanned on.

Posada said he felt good. After catching five innings last night, he caught nearly six innings today.

Got a chance to see Zach McAllister, too. He’s a big kid (6-5, 230 pounds) and has a presence on the mound. Hard to get much of a sense of what kind of pitcher he is from watching only a few pitchers. But the coaches over there are very high on him.

Thought this was cool: Phil Coke came over to watch Andy pitch, just to give him a little support.

It’s hard to believe that Posada and Pettitte first worked together in 1992. According to Baseball Reference.com, Posada has caught 161 of Pettitte’s games in the majors, a total of 4,275 plate appearances.

Let’s figure an average of 4.5 pitches per plate appearance just for kicks. That’s roughly 19,300 pitches. Add in minor league games (they were on the same teams in 1992, ’93, ’94 and part of ’95), bullpen sessions and spring training games and Pettitte has probably thrown at least 25,000 pitches to Posada in his career.

“It seems like I’ve known him all my life,” Pettitte said.

UPDATE, 3:20 p.m.: Here’s the line on Phil Hughes today down in Fort Myers: 4.1 IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 0K. 65 pitches / 41 strikes.

Down 2-0, the Yankees scored one in the sixth on a Mark Teixeira home run and trail 2-1. Brett Gardner is 1 for 3 with a stolen base. Jason Johnson now pitching.

UPDATE, 3:32 p.m.: The Yankees have tied up the Twins at 2-2 on a home run by Todd Linden in the eighth inning.

Phil Hughes: “I felt good about my fastball command today, and I felt good about my changeup. My curve wasn’t great, but was usable. I did throw some good cutters. Overall, I feel good. I feel strong. I’m ready to go.”

Robinson Cano played five innings in the field and went 1 for 3. He handled two groundballs at second and turned a double play. “I felt good. There was no pain. Everything was perfect,” he said.

Thanks to Mike Margolis from the Yankees Media Relations staff for proving the information and quotes from Fort Myers. Mike, you’ll be sorry to hear that Jason and Lauren were over at the complex getting some sun while you were working hard.

UPDATE, 3:49 p.m.: Francisco Cervelli’s sac fly gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Then Austin Jackson went yard and the never-say-die Yankees are up 4-2.

UPDATE, 4:04 p.m.: There would appear to be no stopping the marauding Yankees, who beat the Twins 4-2. The K-Man finished up, getting the final two outs.

The Yankees have won eight straight and 10 out of 11. Save that for the season, fellas.

UPDATE, 4:13 p.m.: From what I can gather from afar, the K-Man loaded the bases with one out and got a game-winning double play. Then Brian Cashman yelled out from the stands, “He’s worth every penny! I knew it!”

OK, so maybe Cashman didn’t say that. But the K-Man does have 12.2 scoreless innings this spring. Three words: Trade him now.

A.J. Burnett is adopting some new ways of thinking about baseball And Al Leiter approves. Burnett was a little wild last night but hung in there.

Robinson Cano is ready to get back to second base. This notebook also has updates on Joba Chamberlain, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Chien-Ming Wang, Melky Cabrera, Phil Coke and Hideki Matsui.

OTHER LINKS TO NOTE:

A bunch of us got to talking yesterday about baseball players we follow because of a particular connection to our lives. The discussion was part of this post if you want to check it out.

It was one of those fun discussions that sprung up suddenly. It’s a good example of the great community we have on this blog.

I have no idea who Bald Vinny is. But the Voice of Yankee Universe blog did an interview with him. Bald Vinny sounds like somebody not to cross, so I’m providing a link.

A reader from Japan, Hiroto, e-mailed in a nice report on Darrell Rasner.

Rasner was with the Yankees last season but was allowed to sign with the Tohoku-Rakuten Golden Eagles. He has made four appearances in their spring training, throwing 14.2 innings and allowing eight earned runs.

Despite that, Hiroto reports that Rasner will be the No. 3 starter behind two pitchers on Japan’s WBC team. Rasner is getting used to baseball in Japan and the slightly different size of the baseball.

Darrell is a good guy and he has a chance to make some money in Japan for his young family. Hopefully he succeeds. Thanks to Hiroto for the report. We really appreciate the interest and feedback we get from fans in other countries.

Let’s see …

· Nick Swisher fouled a ball off his left calf and left the game after going 2 for 2. He was scratched from tomorrow’s game against the Twins. “I’m going to be fine, it’s just a bruise,” he said.

· A.J. Burnett’s plans were changed and he now will face the Red Sox at Big Stein Field on Tuesday. The players will attend a charity luncheon for the Tampa Boys & Girls Club that day and they want Burnett and Jorge Posada to be there as opposed to playing in a game at the minor-league complex.

That charity event is a long-time tradition that the Steinbrenner family organizes.

· Burnett said that line drive hit him on the back of his left triceps. “Thank God it was Johnny Mac,” he said, poking fun at light-hitting Blue Jays shortstop John McDonald.

Because his arms are covered with tattoos, Joe Girardi couldn’t tell if the ball left a mark. “I made a joke with the Skipper. I’ve got Bruce Lee on my triceps. If it wasn’t for Bruce, we might have been in trouble,” Burnett said.

· Burnett sort of liked the idea that he got in a little, saying he needed the work. “They’re not all going to be like the first two. I’m a human being,” he said. “The good thing is I made the pitches when I needed to and it gave me a chance to work with Jorge (Posada) for the first time, which was good.”

Burnett said he needs work on his curveball. Or “the hook” as he called it.

· Mariano Rivera’s two innings so far this spring:

K
1-3
K
Foul-2
F-9
F-8

16 pitches, 11 strikes.

He wanted to pitch another inning but the Yankees instead sent him down to the bullpen to throw 10 more. I’m fairly sure he’s not a normal human being like the rest of us.

· Posada will receive an award from the Ted Williams Museum tomorrow night for his community service work. There is a dinner in St. Petersburg.

· I’m bitterly disappointed my upset call of American over Villanova didn’t come true. But it looked good there for a while, didn’t it? There was some good news, however. I recorded the reader Q&A with Joba and it was a lot of fun. The transcript and audio will be on the blog on Saturday.

Thanks to everybody for reading today. There were some really good discussions on the blog.

YANKEES
Posada C
Damon LF
Swisher 1B
Matsui DH
Nady RF
Ransom 3B
Cabrera CF
Berroa 2B
Pena SS

Pitching today: A.J. Burnett followed by Mariano Rivera, Edwar Ramirez and Dan Giese.

BLUE JAYS
Inglett RF
Hill 2B
Lind DH
Overbay 1B
Lane CF
Bautista LF
Campbell 3B
Chavez C
McDonald SS

Pitching today: Casey Janssen, David Purcey, Edgar Estanga, Dave Shinkse and Seth Overbey.

Notes: Burnett, of course, will be facing his old team. He has not allowed a run in six innings and was perfect over four innings in his last outing. … The Yankees have won six straight and eight of their last nine. … Mariano Rivera is scheduled to pitch an inning while Jorge Posada will again catch. This will be his third game behind the plate.

WHO’S YOUR GUY?: Check out the previous thread if you haven’t already People are talking about players they follow because of some connection in their lives. It’s interesting to read some of the stories.

Back with much more later on.

UPDATE, 3:08 p.m.: A lot of people have asked about the starters for upcoming games. So …

Friday: Hughes vs. Minnesota (Pettitte will pitch in a minor-league game)
Saturday: Joba vs. Detroit (and Rick Porcello. How great is that?)
Sunday: Aceves vs. Tampa Bay (CC will pitch in a minor-league game)
Monday: Tomko vs. Philadelphia (Wang will pitch in a minor-league game)
Tuesday: Giese vs. Boston (Burnett will pitch in a minor-league game)
Wednesday: Team is off (Pettitte will pitch in a minor-league game).

UPDATE, 4:27 p.m.: Yankees are taking BP now. I have some interviews to conduct. So barring any news, I’ll be back around game time.

UPDATE, 6:46 p.m.: Just updated the pitching schedule above. Wang and Burnett will pitch in the minors next week.

In terms of other news: Matsui will play in a minor-league game on Monday to get some hacks. The Yankees are at Philly and there will be no DH. … Cano took grounders during BP and will play second tomorrow for at least six innings, Girardi said. … Marte threw another bullpen and is set to pitch on Sunday. … Phil Coke took a ball of his left leg yesterday and has a bad bruise. He took it easy today but will pitch sometime over the weekend.

The biggest “news” was that Girardi declared that Melky Cabrera remains in the mix for CF. While Brett Gardner has been piling up hits (.382/.447/.765), the Melkman is “playing at a high level” according to the manager.

Melky is .242/.342/.364. But he has swung the bat better of late.

I’m not convinced Gardner is an everyday CF over the long term. Until we see him get more than a month of playing time, it’s hard to judge, But Gardner brings more to the table than Cabrera. Melky switch hits and has a strong arm. Gardner is a much more versatile offensive player, much faster and runs better routes to balls in the gaps. Melky chases balls like he’s dizzy at times.

I’m still convinced that Brian Cashman wants to make a deal for an established CF.

UPDATE, 7:19 p.m.: At long last, A.J. Burnett has to pitch out of the stretch as Joe Inglett leads off with a triple.

UPDATE, 7:24 p.m.: That was close. But Overbay goes 4-6-3 to end the inning. Burnett threw 15 pitches, 8 strikes.

UPDATE, 7:34 p.m.: The Yankees loaded the bases on Janssen with one out when he was taken out of the game with an apparent injury.

Janssen is coming back from shoulder surgery. Brian Burres is pitching now.

UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: Burres wiggled out of trouble, fanning Nady looking and getting Ransom to bounce into a force.

UPDATE, 7:50 p.m.: Yep, Janssen came out with what they’re calling “right shoulder tightness.” That can’t be good. … Meanwhile, Burnett is in trouble again. Runner on third and one out. I knew he was no damn good.

UPDATE, 7:53 p.m.: The fears have been realized as Burnett allows a run after seven scoreless innings.

UPDATE, 7:54 p.m.: Uh, oh. Burnett just took a line drive off his left arm. But he’s staying in.

UPDATE, 8:17 p.m.: The Yankees have rallied back to take a 3-1 lead. Ramiro Pena, Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher had RBI doubles.

UPDATE, 8:38 p.m.: Burnett is done after 3.1 innings, having reached his pitch count. He didn’t have command of his pitches and still allowed only one run on three hits and three walks. He’s responsible for the runner on first.

Brian Bruney in to pitch.

UPDATE, 8:46 p.m.: The line on Burnett: 3.1 3 1 1 3 1. One wild pitch. 61 pitches, 33 strikes.

UPDATE, 9:05 p.m.: Brian Bruney just got pulled after yet another walk. He was all over the place tonight.

Cue the incoherent commenters begging for Joba to be returned to the bullpen. Because a set-up man is far more valuable than a starter. Everybody knows that.

UPDATE, 9:44 p.m.: We talk to the starting pitcher during the game in spring training. So they announced in the press box that A.J. was ready to talk. By the time we got down there, Mo had thrown five pitches and retired the side.

I guess he pitched well; I didn’t see it.

UPDATE, 9:58 p.m.: Eduardo Nunez, who is having a terrific spring, just lined a two-run homer inside the pole in left. He’s 21. Yankees lead 7-3. This would be seven in a row.

My pal Sam Borden, the Journal News columnist, did a nice piece yesterday on an author who wrote a book about Jewish ballplayers.

To me, that has always been one of the great things about baseball, how much we as fans can identify with certain players. Unlike football players, who are largely anonymous, we feel like we get to know baseball players.

I remember a few years ago, some Native Americans in Minnesota came to visit Joba Chamberlain. Derek Jeter always gets some applause in Detroit. When I was a kid, we all followed Jerry Remy when he played for the California Angels because he grew up a few towns over. The local paper always identified him as “Jerry Remy, of Somerset.”

New Jersey folks might pull for Mark DeRosa. On Long Island, Craig Biggio was their guy.

What about you? Anybody you keep tabs on just because?

UPDATE, 1:36 p.m.: Nearly 100 comments already on this post, pretty cool. Everybody, it seems, has their favorite.

Somebody asked me who I rooted for. I’m a fan of Kansas City’s Mike Aviles. He went to Concordia College in Bronxville, N.Y., and I wrote a feature story on him back in 2002. I always check the boxes to see how he does. Westchester representing.

It always seems strange to be at spring training when the NCAA tournament starts. Having covered college basketball for so long in Connecticut, this was the busiest, most exciting time of the season. Now I’m watching games that don’t count as players “get their work in.”

The fun with baseball comes later on. But at least there are NCAA games to have fun watching and wagering on. The final count is four bracket pools and two box pools. I also expect at least two buddies to have Sweet 16 draw pools.

I changed a few picks here and there but my Final Four is Oklahoma, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Missouri. I like Oklahoma beating Michigan State in the final. But even the top seeds have flaws this season. It wouldn’t be stunning if some low seed made its way to Detroit for the Final Four.

I will be rooting for North Carolina (my favorite team as a kid), UConn (because I know a lot of the people there) and Michigan (because I have money on them at 80-1).

It looks like several hundred of us are playing in the two Yahoo pools formed by blog readers. The Journal News also had roughly 1,200 folks sign up for its Perfect Bracket contest. So thanks to everybody who participated.

It’ll be 95 percent baseball here on the blog during March Madness. But there will be a post or two about the tournament.

Enjoy the games.

The Yankees are counting on a big year from Hideki Matsui as he recovers from knee surgery.

Chien-Ming Wang had a much-improved outing. This notebook also has updates on Robinson Cano, Mariano Rivera, Eduardo Nunez and CC Sabathia.

————

LoHud.com is running a NCAA bracket contest. If you can pick a perfect bracket, you can win $100 million. The deadline to enter is today at noon.

We are also giving away a La-Z-Boy Recliner each week. To enter, all you have to do is answer the weekly poll question below and pick the recliner you want to win. The winner will be randomly selected at the end of each week.

Meanwhile, two readers have formed pools for your amusement. Go to the LoHud Yankees Blog pool on Yahoo.com.

Click “join existing group” and put in this info:

Group ID: 8523

Password: smooch

You’ll need to be signed up for a Yahoo account if you don’t already have one. It takes a minute if you don’t have one.

There’s a second Yahoo group as well. The Yankees Lohud Blog group ID is 76489. The password: yankees.

19 innings, 8 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 16 strikeouts.

That’s how A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain, CC Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang fared over the last five games.

Yes, it’s spring training. Yes, it doesn’t count. But if those five stay healthy, the Yankees can easily survive for however many weeks it takes for A-Rod to come back. The more you watch the Yankees in spring training, the more you realize what a difference it makes to have a quality starting pitcher walk out to the mound every single day.

Meanwhile, nobody has a better No. 6 than Phil Hughes. Not the way he is pitching this spring.

————

As he recovers from surgery in Colorado and lovingly gazes at his reflection in cold mountain streams, A-Rod is providing comic fodder across the nation.

Dave Letterman’s Top Ten list last night was “Top Ten Things You Don’t Want To Hear From A Guy Dressed As A Leprechaun.”

No. 10: “I’m large for a leprechaun because my cousin injectected me in the ass with steroids”

Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon featured this shot on his new late-night show last night:

Our pals at Yahoo’s Big League Stew also gave their take on A-Rod the model.

Several Yankees, sources said, were scouring Tampa for copies for the Details photos to paper his locker with at some future date. You can bet the boys will have some fun with this. At this point, Alex’s clownish behavior is more amusing than anything else and amusing is good.

LoHud.com is running a NCAA bracket contest. If you can pick a perfect bracket, you can win $100 million. If nothing else, try and beat my score.

We are also giving away a La-Z-Boy Recliner each week. To enter, all you have to do is answer the weekly poll question below and pick the recliner you want to win. The winner will be randomly selected at the end of each week.

I promise to stop bugging you about this tomorrow.

Meanwhile, two readers have formed pools for your amusement. Go to the LoHud Yankees Blog pool on Yahoo.com.

Click “join existing group” and put in this info:

Group ID: 8523

Password: smooch

You’ll need to be signed up for a Yahoo account if you don’t already have one. It takes a minute if you don’t have one.

There’s a second Yahoo group as well. The Yankees Lohud Blog group ID is 76489. The password: yankees.

————

The deadline for questions for Joba Chamberlain has passed. I’m going to compile the questions tonight and (hopefully) conduct the interview tomorrow.

I haven’t counted them all, but more than 500 people sent in questions and there were a lot of great ones. It’ll be hard cutting them down. I’m going to try and come up with a good mix of topics for him. Joba is a good dude and I’m sure we’ll have fun with your questions.