The LoHud Yankees Blog

YANKEES (13-11)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Posada DH
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Berroa 3B

Pitching: RHP Phil Hughes (1-0, 0.00).

RED SOX (15-10)
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 1B
Drew RF
Bay LF
Lowell 3B
Varitek C
Green SS

Pitching: LHP Jon Lester (1-2, 5.40).

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES, ESPN

Since nothing as changed since yesterday … here are the same notes:

HUGHES PART TWO: Phil Hughes returned to the team in Detroit on Tuesday and threw six scoreless innings. This will be his second start.

NO LEAD SAFE: The Yankees have had at least a one-run lead in seven of their 11 losses.

LEADING THE LEAGUE: The Yankees’ 5.93 ERA is the worst in baseball.

OFF THE MARK: Mark Teixeira is 2 for 27 (.074) in his last eight games. He has not driven in a run since April 24. His batting average has gone from a bad .240 to an atrocious .182. Teixeira said his sore right wrist has improved enough in the last week to allow him to start again working in the cage before games and he is hopeful his production will increase. His eye remains sharp as he has 11 walks during his slump. But he is 0 for his last 13 with RISP.

JOSE CAN YOU GET AN OUT: The last four games for Jose Veras: 2.2 innings, 5 hits, 5 runs, 4 walks, 1 strikeout.

THE KEY: The Yankees are 11-3 when they don’t make an error, 2-8 when they do.

HIT-DEKI: Hideki Matsui has hit in 12 straight at 17 of 46 (.370) with six extra-base hits and nine RBI.

MELKY’S THE MAN: Melky Cabrera has hit in seven straight at 10 of 27.

HOME COOKING: The Yankees are 6-3 at the new Stadium.

Back with much more later.

UPDATE, 4:05 p.m.: Alex Rodriguez was 1 for 6 with a homer and a walk in an extended spring training game today. He played seven innings in the field but did not have to make any plays.

He’s scheduled for the same tomorrow. It sounds like he will rejoin the team on Friday.

UPDATE, 5:46 p.m.: Well, it’s drizzling at the moment. The tarp is down and some of the players are on the field playing catch or warming up.

I’ve been told two things: They’re going to try to play and that there’s a lot of rain on the way. Wish I had more than that.

UPDATE, 5:57 p.m.: Here’s Joe Girardi’s pre-game interview session. He talked about A-Rod’s rehab, the bullpen, Mark Teixeira and other matters.

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UPDATE, 6:20 p.m.: If they do play this game, it sure won’t start on time. Raining here, tarp down. That’s it for now.

UPDATE, 6:52 p.m.: Some news out of Nebraska via the AP

The mother of New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain is jailed in Nebraska and facing a felony charge after being arrested on suspicion of selling methamphetamine to an undercover police officer in February.

Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs said Monday that 44-year-old Jacqueline Standley was arrested at her apartment Saturday night.

Beggs said she allegedly sold 1 gram of a substance believed to be meth to an uncover officer for $110 on Feb. 11. The substance tested positive for meth in testing at the state laboratory.

She was charged Monday with delivery of an exceptionally hazardous drug. Her bail was set at $5,000, and she was assigned a public defender, whose name was not on her jail record.

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It’s truly amazing, it really is, that Joba is pitching in the big leagues given his family situation and everything that has happened to him.

UPDATE, 7:12 p.m.: Obviously the game is being delayed by rain. No word from the Yankees on when (or if) it will be played tonight.

UPDATE, 7:48 p.m.: The grounds crew is mulling around the field. But the tarp remains on and it’s still raining.

The scoreboard camera is panning the crowd and some guy just flipped it off.

UPDATE, 8:19 p.m.: Still raining, tarp still down, grounds crew no longer mulling around. At this point, it would take at least 45 minutes to get the field ready. So the game is not starting any time soon, if at all.

UPDATE, 8:48 p.m.: They’re starting to pull the tarp. Get a Red Bull, its going to be a long night.

UPDATE, 8:51 p.m.: First pitch at 9:20.

UPDATE, 9:10 p.m.: Paul Olden, the PA announcer, just asked the crowd to stand and put their hands over their hearts. Then he read the lineups. Meanwhile, assorted dopes are still standing up with their hands over their hearts.

Meanwhile, it’s raining again. But they’re pushing on as the players warm up.

UPDATE, 9:30 p.m.: The first pitch was at 9:22 p.m. Fantastic job by the grounds crew getting the field ready so fast. They were literally running from place to place.

Meanwhile, Hughes in some trouble already as Boston leads 1-0.

UPDATE, 9:36 p.m.: Good job by Hughes limiting the damage. He got squeezed by Jerry Meals when he walked Drew.

UPDATE, 9:39 p.m.: The scorer, Bill Shannon, just changed the wild pitch in the first inning to a passed ball. That was the right call as it never hit the dirt.

Meanwhile, Angel Berroa didn’t acknowledge the Bleacher Creature Roll Call until Jeter told him to. Either he didn’t understand it or couldn’t hear it.

UPDATE, 9:43 p.m.: Tex strikes out and hears the boos. Safe to say Lester is off to a good start.

UPDATE, 10:00 p.m.: The scoreboard here needs work. The gigantic mug shots of the player at the plate are a little much. And they should break down the pitch count by balls and strikes likes every other park in the majors.

Balls and strikes should be on the main board, too. Not off to the side. The linescore also should have LOB. Again, just like every other park in the majors.

UPDATE, 10:38 p.m.: Wow, Tex is 2 for his last 29. You could find people in the stands who could do that. He really heard it from the crowd in the last inning.

Meanwhile, Ben from RAB e-mailed to point out that the scoreboard also doesn’t announce scoring decisions like wild pitch or passed ball, etc. A very good point.

Hughes at 84 pitches in the 4th inning and has allowed four runs. We’re going to see Alfredo Aceves pretty soon.

UPDATE, 10:54 p.m.: I think we’ve seen the last of Hughes tonight as Aceves warms up. Phil’s line is not a good one: 4 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Girardi was jawing with Boston first base coach Tim Bogar in the top of the inning. Not sure what that is all about. Maybe Bogar is a fan of the First Amendment.

UPDATE, 10:58 p.m.: I give the fans who are still here a lot of credit. It’s cold and it’s been misting all game.

UPDATE, 11:12 p.m.: Lester working on a two-hit shutout as the Yankees bat in the fifth inning. He has seven strikeouts. … Meanwhile the crowd has thinned out big time in the last 30 minutes.

UPDATE, 11:13 p.m.: Jose Molina singles. Now Berroa gets to strike out again.

UPDATE, 11:14 p.m.: Or nearly ground into a DP. Good thing he’s in there for his bat.

UPDATE, 11:18 p.m.: Joe Girardi just got tossed for arguing balls and strikes with Jerry Meals. Tell you what, he’s got a point. Meals squeezed Hughes and Lester has had the Major Deegan Expressway all night.

Meanwhile, no doubt inspired by his fiery manager, Damon just homered. 4-2 Red Sox.

UPDATE, 11:19 p.m.: Girardi should get tossed more often. Tex goes yard to left and it’s 4-3.

Your turn, Swish.

UPDATE, 11:21 p.m.: The crowd has come to life here. At least those hardy souls left.

I’m a little surprised Jeter didn’t tossed as he argued balls and strikes for a while.

UPDATE, 11:23 p.m.: Swish K’s on a good pitch. But we have a new game.

UPDATE, 11:34 p.m.: Nice play by Berroa. He and Tony Lazzeri used to work on that.

UPDATE, 12:10 a.m.: The absolute right move is to walk Ortiz and pitch to Jeff Bailey. But intentional walks never seem to work out for Joe Girardi.

UPDATE, 12:13 p.m.: Well, it was perfect that time. … Tex, Swish and Cano next up. This could be their last shot.

UPDATE, 12:15 a.m.: Nice job by Lester. 7 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 10 K’s. Made two bad pitches all night.
UPDATE, 12:16 a.m.: Tex does it again. 6-4. Yankees alive and kicking. Why do I have the feeling that a 9:22 start is bound to go extra innings?

UPDATE, 12:20 p.m.: Why are they pinch hitting Matsui for Posada? Why not save Matsui for Berroa or Molina?I don’t get it. Unless Posada is hurt. Here comes Papelbon, Francona isn’t screwing around.
UPDATE, 12:23 p.m.: Posada seems to have some sort of leg injury. Not what they need. Maybe his hamstring is acting up. Given that’s freezing here, that would hardly be a surprise.

The Yankees finally have a long reliever. Alfredo Aceves has been called up and RHP Anthony Claggett was optioned back.

Two things:

• Joe Girardi said on WFAN that Nick Swisher is tentatively in the lineup tonight.

• Several people sent me this link about A.J.Burnett’s home theater, which is literally a theater. It’s worth checking out. He even has a lobby.

Meanwhile, I have no idea whether the game is going to be played. I’m here, the tarp is down, it’s not raining at the moment. Once I know, I will let you know. Promise.

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By now you have heard that the players all have IBM ThinkPad laptops installed at their lockers at the new Stadium.

Most of the guys have personalized the desktop. A.J. Burnett has an image from the movie 300, Johnny Damon has a photo of his wife, Jorge Posada the logo of his charitable foundation, etc.

Angel Berroa — I kid you not — has a photo of the rapper/reality television star Flavor Flav.

I don’t know why this made me laugh, only that it did. Favor Flav is 50, so maybe he and Angel grew up together. That’s the only explanation.

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We asked Brian Cashman a few questions about the bullpen, injuries and A-Rod yesterday in the hallway outside the interview room. Once that was over, I stuck around to ask about Jorge Vazquez.

Vazquez is the big first baseman/DH at Trenton. He’s a veteran of the Mexican League the Yankees signed in December. The (supposedly) 27-year-old is hitting .250 with two homers and eight RBI in eight games.

Cashman got animated when talking about Vazquez. The Yankees, he said, tried to sign him a few years ago but the price was too high.

“The guy can hit,” Cashman said. “Good power. He’s intriguing, there is no doubt about it. If he lives up to the potential he showed in Mexico, he’ll put up big numbers. He stands out when he impacts the baseball. It catches everybody’s attention.”

Apparently Vazquez hit a homer against New Britain the other day that just landed. It’ll be interesting to see what progress he makes this season.

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One of the Yankees purchased a toy WWE championship belt and when the team wins a game, it goes to the hitter who had the best day. When Ramiro Pena went 3 for 4 on Friday, he found the belt in his locker.

The kid they call “El Nino” was thrilled.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it,” he said. “But I like having it.”

It went to Jorge Posada the next day for his four RBI. Posada displayed it proudly in his locker.

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A few links for you to peruse:

The Dodgers have a cool program where they build baseball fields for kids. According to this story, Don Mattingly attended the latest dedication of a new field and donated equipment from his baseball equipment company to the kids. Classy as always, that Donnie. Check out Mattingly Baseball for more on his gear.

As you know, we here at the LHYB are big supporters of the Kim Jones blog on YES.com. But don’t sleep on the Bob Lorenz Blog. There are a lot of entertaining insights there as well. When is the Al Leiter Blog coming out? The loquacious lefty could fill up the internet in about two weeks.

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Meanwhile, if you want to attend a game at the new Stadium, work the secondary markets and you can get a great deal. Just as an example, tickets for Thursday’s game against Tampa are selling for $50 for terrace suite seats or $11 in the grandstand.

Joe Girardi rose to the defense of Alex Rodriguez yesterday and spoke out against a book on him.

The Yankees will send Phil Hughes against the Red Sox tonight. This notebook also has updates on Damaso Marte, Xavier Nady and Mark Teixeira.

Monday: LHP Jon Lester (1-2, 5.40) vs. RHP Phil Hughes (1-0, 0.00), 7:05, YES, ESPN

Tuesday: RHP Joba Chamberlain (1-0, 3.13) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (2-2, 7.22), 7:05, YES

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Just wondering, but does anybody else question what is going on with the Yankees and their ability to properly evaluate injuries?

Damaso Marte went seven days without pitching then they decided to put him on the disabled list. Then we found out today that the injury he had in spring training never really cleared up. Meanwhile, he made seven appearances and got knocked around.

Chien-Ming Wang, as it turns out, had weakness in his injured foot and that led to atrophied hip muscles. How did this go unnoticed all spring and lead to his getting crushed for three starts?

A-Rod said his hip injury was an issue last June. Yet he played the rest of the year and it went undiagnosed until March. Then he needed surgery that has so far kept him out a month.

There is no one person at fault here. Maybe the players have to be more honest about how they feel or the coaches and medical staff more observant. Maybe Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi need to demand greater accountability. But Marte, Wang and Rodriguez are important players and in all three cases, something broke down.

Look at Mark Teixeira, for instance. He has not been the same since he injured his wrist. What would be better for the Yankees, Juan Miranda playing first base or Tex going 2 for 27? Should he be on the DL?

Obviously medical issues are tricky and many factors are involved. Injuries are not always apparent or become worse over time. I realize it’s difficult to judge what is the right thing to do.

But as Marte was saying today that his shoulder has hurt for, “a long time” it was all I could do not to say, “Then what the heck were you out there pitching for?”

A few notes from the rainout starting with the rotation for the rest of the homestand:

Monday (Boston): Phil Hughes
Tuesday (Boston): Joba Chamberlain
Wednesday (Tampa Bay): A.J. Burnett
Thursday (Tampa Bay): Andy Pettitte

Of course, it’s supposed to rain tomorrow. Joe Girardi said with Hughes and Chamberlain having pitched well, they didn’t want to skip anybody.

INJURY UPDATES: Damaso Marte said his shoulder has been bothering him for several weeks. He had an MRI on Friday and will see a doctor tomorrow. Joe Girardi said it was related to the issue he had in spring training during the WBC. “It’s weak,” Marte said.

Marte didn’t use the injury as an excuse for how poorly he has pitched. But Girardi and Brian Cashman said that the injury clearly was to blame.

Meanwhile Brian Bruney was not allowed to play catch today and was told he was off tomorrow, too. His elbow has not healed as quickly as hoped and there is virtually no chance he will be back when he is eligible on May 10. “It’s going to be longer,” he said, shaking his head. “I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case.”

Bruney and Marte started the season as the eighth-inning guys. Now it’s roll the dice time.

“It’s a tough spot for our manager,” Cashman said.

OTHER NEWS: Cashman spoke to the therapist working with Chien-Ming Wang. The report is that Wang is addressing the weakness in his hips and foot that damaged his velocity and command. I talked to CMW a few days ago and he seemed relieved to know there was a problem that could be fixed. … I asked Mark Teixeira about the A-Rod book controversy. “In general terms, I don’t have much interest in any book that dwells on the negative on somebody, whether it’s an athlete or anybody else,” he said. “But when you do what we do for a living, that scrutiny is there. Speaking only for myself, I try and do the right thing. If you do that, you don’t have to worry about it.” … Nick Swisher said his elbow was better today than it was yesterday. But playing tomorrow still seems unlikely.

SHAMELESS PLUG: I’m going to be on WFAN at 10:25 p.m. this evening with Lori Rubinson talking about the Yankees. So tune in for her show.

Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady is attempting a cutting-edge medical procedure that could help him return to the team far earlier than expected.

Nady told The Journal News today that he is having platelet-rich plasma injected directly into the area around the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The procedure was successfully used by right-handed reliever Takashi Saito last season. Saito, who is now with the Red Sox, was able to avoid Tommy John Surgery. Like Nady, he had a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament.

Blood drawn from Nady’s body is spun to isolate the platelets, which clot and promote healing of the ligament. The platelets are 10 times more concentrated than normal blood. It is believed Saito and Nady are the only baseball players to have had this procedure done. Hines Ward of the Steelers is another athlete who has had success with the procedure.

Nady, who had Tommy John Surgery in 2001, is hopeful that the procedure will work. He has been injected with the platelets twice.

“It hurts because the needle they use is designed to go right into the ligament. It’s a painful procedure,” he said. “But it’ll be worth it if I can get back sooner.”

Nady said he is hopeful of returning to the team sometime late this month or in early June as a designated hitter and then to get back in the outfield. Surgery would have kept him out for at least a year. The 30-year-old outfielder will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Nady injured his elbow on April 14.

“If Saito was able to come back as a pitcher, that is a good sign for me,” Nady said. “It hurts at the spot of the injection. But I think overall the elbow is feeling better.”

Nady hit .305 with 25 homers and 97 RBI last season. He was hitting .286 through seven games for the Yankees this season.

No reschedule date as of yet.

UPDATE, 2:46 p.m.: We’re still waiting word on the rotation.

UPDATE, 3:07 p.m.: Hughes tomorrow, then Joba. Everybody got pushed back a day.