The LoHud Yankees Blog

Xavier Nady had a “sharp pain” in his right elbow in the seventh inning and was taken out of the game.

He previously had elbow surgery.

MRI tomorrow.

UPDATE, 10:58 p.m.: Nady had Tommy John surgery on Sept. 29, 2001. He was injured tonight in the seventh inning when Carlos Pena singled and he threw the ball back to the infield.

“I’m definitely kind of nervous,” Nady said. “But I have to be optimistic. Hopefully it’s scar tissue breaking off. … It was very painful.”

If Nady is injured, the Yankees have a ready replacement in Superman Nick Swisher. But this greatly cuts down on their depth. Now you have to use Hideki Matsui and it’s harder to give Jorge Posada a day off and so on.

There are several options in AAA starting with Shelley Duncan and John Rodriguez. I would be shocked if they promoted Austin Jackson to be a bench player. He needs to play every day at this stage of his career.

Nady will have an MRI tomorrow morning and we should know more by the early afternoon. But it certainly sounds like bad news. For X’s sake, hopefully not.

YANKEES (3-4)
Gardner CF
Jeter SS
Teixeira 1B
Swisher LF
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Nady RF
Pena 3B
Molina C

Pitching tonight: RHP A.J. Burnett (1-0, 3.38)

RAYS (4-3)
Upton CF
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena 1B
Burrell DH
Navarro C
Zobrist RF
Iwamura 2B
Bartlett SS

Pitching tonight: RHP Matt Garza (1-0, 1.29)

A.J.Burnett vs. the Tampa Bay hitters.

Matt Garza vs. the New York hitters.

GOOD THING THEY HAVE A ROOF: It is pouring here in St. Pete and the wild is howling. Alex Rodriguez did not work out (at least outside) today at the minor-league complex in Tampa.

A.J. VS. THE RAYS: Burnett is 7-4, 2.98 in 16 career starts against the Rays. He is 2-2, 2.30 in seven starts at Tropicana Field.

CAPTAIN NEEDS A KNOCK: Derek Jeter is 1 of his last 20 and is hitting .207.

FRONTRUNNERS: The game is sold out tonight, making it 12 straight home game for the Rays. That counts the postseason.

RED HOT: Evan Longoria has 12 RBI and has hit safely in all seven games.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 3:54 p.m.: Heard from a friend that Nick Swisher is getting killed on the radio back in NYC for the crime of smiling while on the mound last night.

I predicted this last night. The Yankees Morality Police love to hammer non-issues like this. The Yankees have much bigger issues than a player smiling.

UPDATE, 4:05 p.m.: Dave Eiland just said Wang had great stuff in the bullpen before the game last night. His point was that Wang is healthy and needs to take it into the game.

UPDATE, 4:42 p.m.: Wang is meeting now with Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland. I would assume this is a pep talk. … A-Rod worked out inside today at Steinbrenner Field.

UPDATE, 5:23 p.m.: Damon is out with the flu.

UPDATE, 6:04 p.m.: Here is Dave Eiland talking about Chien-Ming Wang:

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UPDATE, 6:28 p.m.: Damon said he planned to play tomorrow. “I’m under the weather,” he said. “I haven’t had great sleep lately. It’s probably just caught up to me. … I’m very weak right now. Everything is creaky right now and nothing really feels good.”

UPDATE, 6:44 p.m.: Today is the anniversary of the Yankees using a black player, Elston Howard, for the first time.

UPDATE, 7:10 p.m.: We’re underway at the Trop. Enjoy the game.

UPDATE, 7:25 p.m.: Bases loaded and no outs and the Yankees scored only one run. Very inefficient.

UPDATE, 8:13 p.m.: It’s Nick Swisher’s world and we’re all just living in it. He just homered deep into the seats in right-center field. 2-0 Yankees.

Swish has four homers and 11 RBI in eight games. Only Evan Longoria (5 homers, 12 RBI) is hotter. Swisher also has scored 10 runs and has 27 total bases.

UPDATE, 8:24 p.m.: Evan Longoria just wet his pants facing Burnett. A 1-2 pitch was high (but over the plate) and Longoria hit the dirt. Burnett then fanned him looking with a heater right over the middle.

A.J. through 4 innings: 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts. He could not be pitching any better than he has so far.

UPDATE, 8:40 p.m.: A.J. Burnett looks frighteningly good tonight. 5 0 0 0 1 6. 67 pitches / 37 strikes.

UPDATE, 8:47 p.m: Seriously, they only had to give up Wilson Betemit to get Nick Swisher? Wilson Betemit? Not Woodrow Wilson, Enrique Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Willie Wilson, Wilson Phillips, Flip Wilson, Mookie Wilson, Wilson Pickett, Mr. Wilson from Dennis The Menace, and Wilson the volleyball from Castaway too?

Just Wilson Betemit? Holy cow.

UPDATE, 9:02 p.m.: Burnett has 77 pitches through six innings. Question now becomes whether he gets tired over the last three innings. But he’s probably good for 110-115 or so. Can he get nine outs in 40 pitches or so? I don’t see why not.

Meanwhile, and I understand this is a secondary issue, he is saving the bullpen after last night’s disaster.

If he gives up a hit in the seventh, then you have Swisher and Mo to close it out.

UPDATE, 9:15 p.m.: OK, now they have to worry about winning the game. It’s only 2-0 and Garza has been pretty darn good, too.

UPDATE, 9:27 p.m.: The Rays didn’t get the scouting report on Brett Gardner as he is both gritty and gutty. Huge leadoff double there.

Now Jeter needs to get him to third.

UPDATE, 9:53 p.m.: Is there a better athlete in baseball than B.J. Upton? He makes those catches look easy.

Here’s a question for you, does Girardi have it in him to use Pena at SS in the ninth inning?

UPDATE, 9:58 p.m.: Brett Gardner is the new Nick Swisher. Only grittier and guttier.

Great night for GGBG. 3 for 5 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored so far.

Yes, A.J. Burnett starts tonight against the Rays. But that’s not what we’re talking about.

He is scheduled to face Carl Pavano at the Stadium on Sunday.

Yes, that Carl Pavano. The American Idle. The Rajah of Rehab. The bandit who made away with $39.95 million dollars of Yankee money in return for 27 starts over four years. That Carl Pavano.

The pride of region rests on your shoulders, A.J. If the Idle comes back to the Bronx and beats the Yankees it’ll be a shame that could ruin the rest of the season.

————

Back in a while with the lineups.

The Yankees have had some … let’s say interesting lineups the last two days. But tonight should a little more standard if Mark Teixeira returns. Teixeira had an MRI on his left wrist yesterday that showed only inflammation.

With a right-hander pitching for Tampa Bay, Tex should be able to hit lefty. The injury bothers him most when he swings right-handed. He has missed three days.

The Yankees also may need to make a move tonight to strengthen their bullpen. Jon Albaladejo and Phil Coke would seem to be candidates to be optioned out.

Alex Rodriguez started the second phase of his rehab and said baseball is his priority now.

Chien-Ming Wang suffered the worst beating of his career as the Yankees were thumped by the Rays.

The Yankees Morality Police will be out in force because Nick Swisher had the audacity to smile on the mound tonight when he was pitching in a 10-run game. This will no doubt be a big issue on the radio tomorrow.

You know what? Get over it. It was 15-5 and they asked a guy to pitch who hadn’t pitched since his freshman year of high school. Wade Boggs threw knuckleballs at the Anaheim Angels Aug. 19, 1997 in 12-4 game. These things happen sometimes.

The best part was when he shook Jose Molina off, even through there were no signs. When he struck Gabe Kapler out, Swish rolled the ball into the dugout for a souvenir. Hilarious.

Derek Jeter thought it was amusing because it was Swisher. “He’s not going to stop talking about it,” the captain said.

But Jorge Posada was not amused. “Nobody was laughing,” he said. “I think today was embarrassing.” Maybe so. But Swisher is hitting .450 and has 10 RBI. Maybe everybody should have what he’s having.

Here is Swisher talking about his scoreless outing:

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His best line was that this game is like an Etch-A-Sketch, you need to shake it and start over again.

Let me say this straight out: I love Nick Swisher. Give him an extension.

Joe Girardi, Jorge Posada and Chien-Ming Wang all said the same thing just now: The right-hander is not injured.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that he stinks.

But without any days off coming up, Wang will be back out there on Saturday.

“He has a history of being a very good pitcher and I think history will repeat itself,” Joe Girardi said.

Wang seemed stunned. He said the issue was where he released the ball, which was off to the side instead of over the top. A sinkerball pitcher wants to stand tall on the mound and throw the ball on a downward plane. Otherwise the ball floats over the strike zone and you see what happens.

Here’s Joe Girardi:

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Try and remember, Wang was 46-15, 3.74 from 2006-08. There are only a handful of starters who have been better. He’s also coming off a ninth-long stretch when he didn’t pitch in a regular-season game.

Have a little faith that the guy didn’t suddenly lose his ability. This stuff happens sometimes.

Meanwhile, this notion that Wang doesn’t know how to get through a game without his good stuff or a good sinker is laughable. So he went 46-15 without knowing how to do that?

YANKEES (3-3)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Swisher 1B
Posada C
Nady RF
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Ransom 3B
Cabrera CF

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang.

RAYS (3-3)
Upton CF
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena 1B
Burrell DH
Navarro C
Gross RF
Iwamura 2B
Bartlett SS

Pitching: LHP Scott Kazmir.

Game time: 7:08 p.m.

Chien-Ming Wang (0-1, 17.18) vs. the Tampa Bay hitters.

Scott Kazmir (1-0, 1.50) vs. the New York hitters.

CAPTAIN NOT CRUSHING: Jeter is 1 of his last 17.

CODY NOT CRUSHING, EITHER: Ransom is 1 for 20 this season.

REALLY? With the Yankees facing a lefty, Melky Cabrera is back in center. He is 9 of his last 43 dating back to last season.

RISKY RISP: The Yankees are 13 of 55 (.236) with runners in scoring position.

BRUNEY BATTLES: Briam Bruney’s last three games: 3 0 0 0 0 5.

COKE ISN’T IT: Phil Coke this season: 2.2 5 4 4 1 5.

WANG NEEDS A REBOUND: Chien-Ming Wang was brutal in Game 2 against Baltimore (3.2 9 7 7 3 0). But he has been solid against the Rays in his career (7-4, 3.35 in 13 starts) and at the Trop (5-2, 3.74 in eight starts),

RIP MR. KALAS: Sad day in baseball today as Harry Kalas, the long-time Phillies announcer, has passed away at the age of 73. It’s a tough day for some guys on our beat Ty Kepner and Sweeny Murti grew up in the Philadelphia area and have fond memories of Harry and later got to know him. George King covered the Phillies for a long time and knew Harry very well. I had a chance to meet Mr. Kalas many times when I covered the Mets and he was always very gracious.

Back with some more later on.

UPDATE, 4:33 p.m.: Mark Teixeira had an MRI today on his left wrist No damage. He hopes to play tomorrow.

UPDATE, 5:43 p.m.: Alex Rodriguez is here at the Trop and did a long interview in the dugout. Here it is in its entirety:

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He talks about the surgery, how much better he feels now, his new-found commitment to baseball and other topics.

UPDATE, 6:46 p.m.: Boxing announcer Michael Buffer, in a cream-colored tux, is announcing the Rays roster. Nice touch. The team will raise the AL banner today and get their rings tomorrow.

It’s weird to see this place filled with Rays fans instead of Yankees fans.

UPDATE, 6:50 p.m.: They actually have these boxes spitting fire when the starters are introduced. Very Las Vegas. Gov. Charlie Crist will throw out the first pitch.

UPDATE, 6:59 p.m.: Wearing jeans (they’re informal here in Florida), Gov. Crist threw a strike from the mound. Now they’re going to raise the banner. The Yankees can’t be too thrilled to have to watch this in person. But that’s the price you pay.

UPDATE, 7:19 p.m.: We’re underway. Michael Buffer said, “Lllllllllllllllllllet’s get ready to play ball!” before the first pitch.

UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: Inauspicious start for CMW as he walks Upton and hits Crawford. He needs a GIDP here.

UPDATE, 7:38 p.m.: The Rays are going to test Posada. Wang’s delivery is very slow, which gives Posada little chance. Wang needs to handle this himself now.

UPDATE, 7:40 p.m.: Disastrous beginning for Wang as he allows a two-run double by Pena. He left that 2-2 pitch high.

UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: That’s it, season over. 3-0 Rays, Let the panic begin anew.

UPDATE, 7:50 p.m.: There’s one out and Wang has thrown nearly 40 pitches. When will the Yankees realize they need a long reliever? Albaladejo warming up now.

UPDATE, 7:54 p.m.: Wang threw 42 pitches in that inning. 4-0 Rays.

You have to wonder if something is wrong physically, although there was no sign of that in spring training. 4-0 against Kazmir is a hill to climb.

UPDATE, 7:59 p.m.: Wow, what a catch by B.J. Upton to rob Nady of at least a double. It was a Willie Mays-style over the shoulder grab. What a great talent Upton is.

UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: This team has a way of making the Yankees look so old. Bartlett singles, steals second, then Upton bunts for a single. The Rays can pick pick away at you with their speed and good fundamental play.

Meanwhile, Wang can’t get his sinker to sink. He may not last this inning.

UPDATE, 8:12 p.m.: That’s it for Wang as he walks in a run. 1+ innings, 6 hits, 5 runs (so far) and 3 walks. He threw 61 pitches.

I’m sure the panic-stricken will demand his immediate removal from the rotation and/or execution. But Wang was 46-15, 3.74 from 2006-08. He didn’t suddenly forget how to pitch. He’s either hurt or he has sort of mechanical flaw.

UPDATE, 8:17 p.m.: It’s 9-0 as Albaladejo allows a Pena slam. Wang’s line: 1 6 8 8 3 1. He now has a 28.93 ERA.

UPDATE, 8:53 p.m.: Hey, Nick Swisher homered. The Yankees won’t get shut out.

In other good news, this blog just registered its 700,000th comment since Jan. of 2007. I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds good.

UPDATE, 9:25 p.m.: It’s 10-2 after five innings. Now Edwar is in for an inning or two. This game could force them to make a move for the bullpen tomorrow.

UPDATE, 9:39 p.m.: Edwar should pitch in the Home Run Derby. He gives up bombs.

UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: The Yankees are lucky that Joe Maddon has called off the dogs.

UPDATE, 10:01 p.m.: See, Cody Ransom can replace Alex after all. He just drove in a run in a 12-2 game. (I’m kidding).

UPDATE, 10:14 p.m.: Now they can’t catch a pop-up. This is embarrassing.

UPDATE, 10:17 p.m: Classy Rays fans chanting “Yankees suck” when it’s 12-3.

UPDATE, 10:34 p.m.: Swisher (yes Swisher) is pitching. Posada is at first and Molina is catching.

UPDATE, 10:36 p.m.: Proud moment for the franchise here as Swisher lobs over 75-mph “fastballs.”

UPDATE, 10:40 p.m.: Swisher fans Kapler. This is pretty funny. He throws a scoreless inning, better than any of the other pitchers tonight.

UPDATE, 10:45 p.m.: Swisher saved the ball from his strikeout. He’s hilarious.

There were about 15-20 members of the media at A-Rod’s workout and he spoke to the group when he was finished. The highlights:

• Today was the first day of real baseball activities. He had been swinging a broomstick in Colorado but not throwing or taking grounders. He said he felt good.

• He guessed that it would be 7-10 days before he was ready for a game.

• Pat Roessler, the team’s minor-league field coordinator, hit him soft grounders and Alex flipped the ball to a clubbie a few feet away. A-Rod took a bunch of swings off a tee but they were easy swings, all going the other way. Obviously he was just getting his feet wet on the first day. He was on the field for about 45 minutes,

Gene Monahan was there watching every move.

• Alex said that the time he spent in Colorado have him time to think that he has recommitted himself to baseball and the Yankees and plans to have “tunnel vision.” I’m sure the Yankees will be thrilled to hear the highest-paid player in baseball wasn’t fully committed to baseball before. But at least Alex is admitting his mistakes.

“Not only was I able to fix myself, I was able to rethink things and reorganize my thoughts, kind of put your arms around where you want to be and where you want to go,” Rodriguez said. “It’s all about our team, and everything else is on the back burner.”

• Alex said that his hip had been bothering him since last June and that he can tell something got fixed. He said the full surgery was scheduled before the they changed paths and chose the hybrid, two-surgery approach.

I need to get to St. Pete for the game. But I’ll have some A-Rod audio up later on.

Alex took 78 cuts. 36 off a tee and 42 flips. Now he’s jogging.