Notes from Saturday
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Podcast on Mar 06, 2010 
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Francisco Cervelli will be checked out again on Sunday, and he’ll see a neurologist on Monday. Depending on how those two appointments go, Cervelli could be back in the lineup by the middle of next week.
“Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, but I’m not going to rush it,” Joe Girardi said.
This is Cervelli’s second concussion in the past four months. He also had one in November when he was hit in the head by a bat during winter ball. He was catching and the batter got him on the left side of his head, right where today’s pitch from Zech Zinicola landed.
Here’s Cervelli talking about his noggin.
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That’s Jesus Montero in the picture, but Girardi said this afternoon that his No. 3 catcher is Mike Rivera. If this Cervelli situation proves worse than expected, it’s Rivera who would likely open the season on the Yankees bench.
“He has big league experience,” Girardi said. “He knows what the job entails. That’s why we went out and got him.”
Rivera has been in the big leagues each of the past four years, and he was in the big leagues for parts of three seasons before that. He has a higher career batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage than Jose Molina.
Here’s the Girardi audio.
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• Jorge Posada on A.J. Burnett’s changeup: “He’s starting it down, that’s the big thing. He’s finishing it well. There was one of them that was up, hit off the end of the bat, but I thought he did a great job.”
• Change of plans for tomorrow’s travel squad. Cervelli (obviously) will not go. Instead, Rivera will go to catch Gaudin and Mitre. Amaury Sanit will also not travel after getting in today’s game.
• Another nice outing from Boone Logan, who pitched two hitless innings and retired three lefties: Lyle Overbay, Jeremy Reed and Travis Snider. After his four-up, four-down debut — also retiring three lefties — he’s making a strong case (but a very early case) for a spot in New York.
• Mark Melancon also looked awfully good again today, so did Jason Hirsh. Both finished off strikeouts with good curveballs. Oh, and don’t sleep on Kevin Russo, who had another hit and made a nice diving play at second.
• Dave Eiland confirmed that Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte and Chan Ho Park will each throw a batting practice session on Monday. They are the only pitchers in camp who have not faced live hitters.
• Andy Pettitte has a two-inning simulated game tomorrow morning and will move forward as if he pitched in a real game. “It will count as his first start,” Eiland said.
• If you missed it in the game post, Nick Johnson took batting practice this morning and felt good after. “I took a few swings in the cage,” he said. “Felt loose.”
• I don’t want to make a big deal of it, but Kei Igawa did pitch well yesterday and this afternoon Girardi said he couldn’t rule out the idea of Igawa creating a place for himself as a left-handed reliever. Just throwing it out there.
eeeeek-gawa, you must be kidding!
mick March 6th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
eeeeek-gawa, you must be kidding!
Hater
Chad-
” Another nice outing from Boone Logan, who pitched two hitless innings and retired three lefties: Lyle Overbay, Jeremy Reed and Travis Snider. After his four-up, four-down debut — also retiring three lefties — he’s making a strong case (but a very early case) for a spot in New York.
• Mark Melancon also looked awfully good again today, so did Jason Hirsh. Both finished off strikeouts with good curveballs. Oh, and don’t sleep on Kevin Russo, who had another hit and made a nice diving play at second.”
I agree with all of this 100%
And you can add Laird and Curtis as well.
I’m loving all the possibilities this ST is creating!
surely you jest, they are still looking for feelers on igawa, logan is ahead of him and wilkin de la rosa is up and coming….eeeeek-gawa is no reliever
I think Girardi is taking a stab at pumping up Igawa’s incredibly meager trade value.
Melancon will make an impact this season.
Getting Overbay out is a good sign. He seems to annoy Yankee pitchers and Snyder has some serious power.
Yankees should be very careful with Cervelli. 2 concussions in 4 months is not good.
Hirsh might be a surprise and go North with NYYs if there are any problems on the staff. Didn’t see the game today, do I can’t make any comments on Igawa, but, anything the yanks get from him is a plus surprise.
***so*** I can’t make any comments
Thanks for the feedback. So here is my plan of attack. Tonight is Blind Side, tomorrow afternoon is Crazy Heart.
The year that Aviator was out, I went to see all of the the pictures nominated for Best Picture within a five-day span, all the week before the Academy Awards. I absolutely loved it. And I thought Ray was tremendous. I might not have bothered seeing it otherwise.
So this year I will see two of them before the awards, anyway!
“He has a higher career batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage than Jose Molina.”
yeah, but can he nurse a good start out of AJ Burnett
Montero even looks good signing autographs !
Is there anything this kid can’t do ?
I feel much better now that Cervelli could be back in a game this week. Hopefully all goes well at the doctors Sunday and Monday.
“I don’t want to make a big deal of it, but Kei Igawa did pitch well yesterday and this afternoon Girardi said he couldn’t rule out the idea of Igawa creating a place for himself as a left-handed reliever. Just throwing it out there.”
Boy that would make me SOOOO happy as I still believe the guy has great stuff but gets in trouble with overthinking. He did really well in Scranton, so…
“yeah, but can he nurse a good start out of AJ Burnett”
I am so hearing you. Generically. The jury is definitely still out for me.
Trisha, Igawa has decent pitches, but, it’s not good enough to pitch like he did in Japan….up in the strike zone. It’s taken 3 years for him and the Yanks to make a change in his delivery.
i know girrardi will take the best pitchers but the bullpen pitchers that are guaranteed to go north are
mo
hughes/joba
robertson
marte
park
that is 5 so girrardi has to pick 2 from
melancon
gaudin
mitre
logan
igawa
hirsh
man is it going to be tough
& i probably missed 1 or 2
igawa has to go north or be traded imo
it is also very exciting to have all these kids playing well
russo
pena
cervelli
laird
curtis
nice to see brackman throwing hard again with some control
Igawa stinks.
GB-
“It’s taken 3 years for him and the Yanks to make a change in his delivery.”
Man that’s slow mail service !
To be fair, Girardi was asked a question about Igawa, and I wouldn’t expect him to say anything other than “he still has a chance to help us.”
Thanks,Mr.Jennings.Your BLOG is most valuable for me to know Yankees’ informations,Especially on Igawa.I do hope his success this year,from Japan.
i think igawa can be real good in the pen for a few innings
the problem with him is going through the lineup more than a few times
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
GB-
“It’s taken 3 years for him and the Yanks to make a change in his delivery.”
Man that’s slow mail service !
————————————————————
Maybe he figured that since he had success in Scranton, no change was necessary. He’s pretty much pitching to the same level of hitters as those in Japan, with a few exceptions.
What a shocker this is. Manny Ramirez slides….AND HE MEANT TO. The fact that he didn’t need to is another matter.
GB-
Someone should let Igawa know that Ray Ban is hiring.
And truly the change of delivery should have been- Return to Sender. Refund requested.
Rose come on don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel about Igawa!
GB, maybe he can get the job done as a reliever. I always believe that where there’s life, there’s hope. And you know I will always be a huge champion of the underdog.
I don’t think you will ever hear the words “he stinks” out of my mouth as long as someone wears pinstripes. (I made the exception for IPK and never said he stunk but that his attitude stunk.) It’s just not in my nature to trash Yankee players, especially those who are trying hard.
Bru @ 7:17, you forgot about Aceves. That complicates it even more, although in a good way!
“i think igawa can be real good in the pen for a few innings
the problem with him is going through the lineup more than a few times”
bru – agree. And as a left-handed reliever he certainly wouldn’t ordinarily be in the game for multiple innings. I’d love to see him work it out.
“i think igawa can be real good in the pen for a few innings”
Yanks have pitchers who are better than Igawa.
Igawa is a good AAA pitcher. Hopefuly his contract is up soon.
Igawa has had poor command and pitched up in the zone in MLB. Unless he has taken a quantum leap forward, that makes him poorly suited to be a reliever.
Trisha -
It ALWAYS bothers me when I read anyone post that someone “stinks.” It would be nice, actually, if Igawa either found some role for the Yankees, at least for a short time, or if he was able to be traded to where he had a new opportunity and the Yankees acquire a new possibility.
Plus, I’m a big believer in being able to start fresh every day.
“To be fair, Girardi was asked a question about Igawa, and I wouldn’t expect him to say anything other than “he still has a chance to help us.””
To be fair, I think if he were asked the same question about Alby he might have a little more to say than “he still has a chance to help us.” The truth of the matter is Igawa did do a good job last time out. I think the only people not rooting for Igawa to get his act together at this point are the fans – well some of the fans anyway.
The same thing happened last year with Igawa. He looked decent for the 1st half of the exhibition schedule and when roster cuts were made and he faced better hitters he was back to his usual self of being high in the strike zone and getting hammered.
If Girardi has any thoughts of another lefty in the bullpen with Damaso Marte, it will come from Boone Logan or Royce Ring and not Igawa.
trisha – OPPC member who sees, hears, and knows all. 28 is on its way!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Rose come on don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel about Igawa!
GB, maybe he can get the job done as a reliever. I always believe that where there’s life, there’s hope. And you know I will always be a huge champion of the underdog.
I don’t think you will ever hear the words “he stinks” out of my mouth as long as someone wears pinstripes. (I made the exception for IPK and never said he stunk but that his attitude stunk.) It’s just not in my nature to trash Yankee players, especially those who are trying hard.
————————————————————
You’ve always been a fan of Underdog. I was a fan of Polly Purebred.
With regard to Igawa, my husband reminded me that in ST, he is likely facing the same calibre of hitters he’s been facing in AAA, so of course, he’s doing fine.
Realistically, I kind of know his stuff doesn’t seem to translate to the ML level, at least not in the AL East, but he doesn’t stink. And I stick by that.
Doreen –
I am SO with you on every point, especially the one about every day being a fresh start. If you are playing anywhere in the Yankee organization, you do not stink. In fact, if you’re playing anywhere for any of the major league teams, you do not stink. In fact you are very good, much better than the rest of the population.
I think what stinks is the attitude of people who say any of our players stink. They are out there giving their best. That makes them tops in my book.
“To be fair, I think if he were asked the same question about Alby he might have a little more to say than “he still has a chance to help us.”
Girardi might have added Alby missed location. He is not going to say anything critical about his players in public.
Doreen, do you remember the game where Jeff Karstens got hurt in the first inning of a game against Boston and Kei Igawa came in, in relief? He was TREMENDOUS. And he faced the lineup that eventually won the world series that year.
I have always been of the belief that Kei overthinks when he pitches at the major league level and freaks himself out. That’s why he is probably best suited to relieve in the majors, where he doesn’t have a lot of warning that he’s going to be on the mound – certainly not the kind you get when you know you get the start every 5 days. I think he just psyches himself out.
Trisha -
I know there are players who are more talented than others, some who work harder than others. We’re not all the same. But being in any major league organization kind of speaks to someone’s abilities (and some luck, too). I can stand someone saying, so and so isn’t doing well, isn’t performing to his capabilities, whatever. But not “stink.” Maybe it’s semantics, who knows?
Trish ;
I admire your enthusiasm and underdog thoughts but Igawa is what he is.
Next spring will be his final “token invitee” to spring training and his contract ceases with the Yankees after the 2011 season unless Brian Cashman finds a willing suitor before then.
Trade proposal:
I seriously would like to know what people think we could get from an NL team for
Mitre and Miranda
opinions welcome.
“Girardi might have added Alby missed location. He is not going to say anything critical about his players in public.”
Exactly. And the point is that he didn’t have anything critical to say about Igawa because Igawa had a good outing and threw some filthy pitches (and maybe a few not quite as filthy). If he continues to pitch well, Girardi just might find a way to use him, including considering having him at the ready in AAA if they need to call up a pitcher if they have no place for him on the team in the Bronx.
They’ve dropped Igawa’s arm considerably, and, at least in his first game everything was down, except for two well placed up and in pitches. If that does the trick, it will open somebody’s eyes in need of starters. That puts Cashman in the driver’s seat. He has that excess in starters and relievers like Igawa, Mitre, Albaladejo, Ramirez and others that might benefit from a trade to an NL team in a bigger park.
Cubs just had a reliever/part time starter go down for the year in Angel Guzman. Guzman, at one time had as great an arm as anybody around. He just never could stay healthy.
girrardi should pitch igawa in situations where he can look good then trade him if he is not traveling north
i think this is his last year on his contract or is it next year?
We were at the game today, and Chad is spot on.
Melancon pitched very well, as did Jason Hirsh. AJ showed some good offspeed stuff. And Colin Curtis hit an opposite field rocket. Too bad Albie was as bad as he was, unless he’s suddenly unhittable he’s not going to recover from this bad an outing.
Re: Cisco – that kid has the worst ST luck. First getting his wrist broken, now this. I didn’t know he got a concussion this past November, too. This has to be taken very seriously. He needs as much time as necessary. I know it’s disappointing, but it’s the poor kid’s life. And from what I read/saw when I went to Scranton, he’s a very nice kid, also. I truly hope he’s OK.
Well, it’s off to Bern’s for dinner. It’s a good thing they’re traveling tomorrow, we will need to sleep in….
Trisha -
I will always remember that game. (We were out to dinner and a show in the city, and the game was on in the restaurant.) Igawa saved the day that day. I had such high hopes for him after that. I don’t know what his precise difficulties are – perhaps as simple as not understanding how he could be so good in Japan and not so good in he US?
Perhaps as ST goes forward he will face better hitters and have some success. That could only mean good things for him. I read he wants to stay in the US. He is having success in AAA. If he shows he can get ML hitters out in ST, perhaps he can get a fresh start for another organization.
“I can stand someone saying, so and so isn’t doing well, isn’t performing to his capabilities, whatever. But not “stink.” Maybe it’s semantics, who knows?”
Ditto again.
Brackman is one “long drink of water”.
He looked like a Redwood tree out there.
“Too bad Albie was as bad as he was, unless he’s suddenly unhittable he’s not going to recover from this bad an outing.”
I take the opposite view. It’s better that he shows how bad he is now because there is less chance that he will hurt them once the real games begin.
MTU -
Brackman really is tall!
Doreen-
I really hope my posts this morning weren’t taken out of context. I wasn’t criticizing you for ST GTLU. I love that enthusiasm.
I was just saying that anyone who gets some of these line ups right is basically wasting their psychic abilities
Doreen-
Jack and the Beanstalk tall !!!!
Rose
Do not use the word “stink” Just say Igawa is not that good.
That way Trisha and Doreen will not get upset. They will never let you hear the end of it for using that bad word.
“I was just saying that anyone who gets some of these line ups right is basically wasting their psychic abilities”
You got that right!
Are we sure the Yankees aren’t secretly starting their own Football team instead ?
Some of the Yankees could not only play basketball but would make a hell of an Offensive Line.
For a little guy Cash sure likes ‘em big !
Here’s an incredibly tough question for you guys-
Hypothetically, if a person were to pass out on their couch while watching TV at around 6:30pm and wake up around 8pm…
Do you have a cup of coffee so your head doesn’t explode? Do you go for a can of diet coke and hope that does the trick? Or do you just silently wait for head explosion???
Joba in the pen, I guess you’d like it better if we didn’t speak our minds about that? I am getting the vibe that you are someone who just loves to trash a player who isn’t doing well? Again, as Doreen said, maybe it’s just semantics. I don’t see it as really dignified behavior for someone who’s supposed to be a fan to trash players on her or his own team. There’s something that strikes me as so unsupportive about it. Mind you, I know it’s done all the time. It doesn’t make it right IMO.
I think Doreen and I were speaking in general terms also since Rose is far from the only poster to have ever said that a player “stinks.”
Erica -
Ha ha! No, not to worry. I didn’t take it personally. I had never intended to start GTLU this early, but when people started posting lineups, I thought, why not? Now I know why not!
Anyway, whatever anyone wants to do. For my purposes, if even 4 or 5 people post a lineup, it’s helpful, because the more I do something, the more it sinks in what the steps are, you know? And actually, I’ve learned more about Excel in the last month or so than I ever learned trying to teach myself from the workbooks. Unless you have a practical use for it, it doesn’t stick.
Hang in there, Erica.
Joba in the Pen -
Really, that was just not called for. Trisha and I were discussing a point of agreement between us. I realize people will post what they will post.
Here’s my front four:
CC
Romulo
Hirsch
Betances
Z-Mac
It’s formidable.
By the way, CC is of course the center.
Meant to say front 5. I can’t count either. Duh !
Unless i am going nuts. I heard suzy and John say at the end of the game that Cisco was hit by a back swing.
Can someone confirm this?
Also why didn’t the hospital keep him overnight? Concussions are nothing to play with. I think Wayne Chrebet can attest to that. Last I heard a few months ago he is having fairly serious problems stemming from his series of concussions. I hope and expect the Yankees to take great care with Cisco.
Doreen-
If you need any Excel help, please let me know. I’ll be glad to help. I can’t get into facebook at work- but I will send you a message with my personal e-mail addy so you can reach out to me.
Not to sound crazy, but when I was running it for real and I would get hit with 40 line ups for a game and Joe Girardi would win, it drove me nuts. I don’t know. I guess I just felt like if I was going to spend the time, someone had to get it right. LOL
jen, I think the backswing you heard them talking about happened to him in winter ball.
erica-
The ancients preferred “trephination” to lessen pressure in the head.
of course they didn’t have either coffee or diet coke.
“Some of the Yankees could not only play basketball but would make a hell of an Offensive Line.”
Hirsh. Today was the first time I remember seeing him and he looked huge to me.
MTU-
My fridge decided for me. I have literally one drop of milk left. I am saving it for the morning.
Diet coke it is
Erica-
“My fridge decided for me.”
My fridge is a lot less sophisticated.
I have to make the decisions.
I need to get one of those.
Trisha
“Dignified behavior?” This is sports we are talking about. Calm down.
Um, no – no Igawa.
Despite a rough few games, there have deinitely been some positives. Phil’s change looked pretty good and he’s comfortable with it. AJ had no command, but he didn’t seem to have a problem with the change. Melancon (missed him today) has been looking good and so have Logan and Hirsch. I would prefer to see Russo over Pena, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
As to Frankie, I wouldn’t play him for at least a week or two, maybe more.
Hirsh is about 6 foot 8 inches and 240-250. Along with Sabathia, Betances and Brackman, they’ve got some serious leg room problems on plane trips. Pettitte and Burnett aren’t exactly height challenged, either.
“Dignified behavior?” This is sports we are talking about. Calm down.
I’m calm.
Joe, glad you had a good time – and thanks for the update! AJ’s change must be really heavy for it to just break that bat completely in half. I know what you mean about Frankie – I feel terrible for him.
GB-
The reason I left Andy and AJ off my line is I wanted the extra beef.
GB, AJ is a shrimp compared to the rest of the staff even. Phil is 6’5 and so is Andy. Actually, Joba’s the shrimp; what is he, 6’2?
Pity poor Manny Banuelos when he shows up. At 5 feet 9 inches and 160 pounds and about 20 years old, he’s going to look like the batboy.
I’ve been pondering something.
If you are Italian and you happen to be cooking Spaghetti.
And some one asks you to Grate some Parmesan cheese to go with it.
But you refuse to do so.
Are you then a person who is a “Persona Non-grata Parmesana”, or just a “Persona non-Grata” .
I just can’t seem to figure it out, and obviously it’s critical.
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100.....dbc114.jpg
Bat boy? Banuelos is going to look like the bat!
GB-
”
Pity poor Manny Banuelos when he shows up. At 5 feet 9 inches and 160 pounds and about 20 years old, he’s going to look like the batboy.
”
Nope.
More like a Mexican Hors D’Oeurve.
MTU –
Hysterical!
Trisha-
But what’s the answer ? You’re smart.
new post ->
MTU
Neither. It would make you Parmesana non-grata.
MTU – I have no answer! I just can’t stop laughing!!!!!
new thread
When you see Banuelos, the first name that comes to mind is Ron Guidry without the mustache. By the time he gets out of his teens, he should be in the mid 90s with his fastball.
Pat-
Thank you.
I wouldn’t have been able to sleep tonite, and protocol is ever so important !
GB-
I have heard he is very talented and polished for his age.
I’m hoping he gains some weight.
Not Valezuela-type weight but just some more meat on the bones.
Can’t wait to see him pitch.
GB-
If he reimnds of Guidry let’s call Banuelos “Gatorilla”.
Spanish for “Little Gator”.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
GB-
I have heard he is very talented and polished for his age.
I’m hoping he gains some weight.
Not Valezuela-type weight but just some more meat on the bones.
Can’t wait to see him pitch.
————————————————————
He’s still just a kid, though. Turns 19 in a week. He should have a growth spurt left. But, then guidru and Rivera pitched fairly well at around that weight.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
GB-
If he reimnds of Guidry let’s call Banuelos “Gatorilla”.
Spanish for “Little Gator”.
————————————————————
He’ll be in ST camp next year. You watch, Guidry will be his mentor.
Igawa, please let him not make the team !!