The LoHud Yankees Blog

Today the Yankees made their final roster moves, wrapped up spring training and boarded a flight for Boston. This is the group that will open the season in defense of last year’s World Series championship.

Lineup
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner LF

Bench
Francisco Cervelli C
Ramiro Pena INF
Marcus Thames OF
Randy Winn OF

Rotation
CC Sabathia LHP
A.J. Burnett RHP
Andy Pettitte LHP
Javier Vazquez RHP
Phil Hughes RHP

Bullpen
Mariano Rivera RHP
Joba Chamberlain RHP
Dave Robertson RHP
Damaso Marte LHP
Chan Ho Park RHP
Alfredo Aceves RHP
Sergio Mitre RHP

That’s an Associated Press shot of Jeter and Rodriguez from today’s game in Tampa.

—

If everything goes as planned, I’ll be boarding a flight out of Tampa in about five minutes. Thank you to everyone who followed the blog throughout the spring. Sam and I really do appreciate it, and we’ll see you tomorrow in Boston.

It looks like Mark Teixeira is running the bases in that picture. He’s actually sprinting out of Tampa.

The Yankees are happily making their way to Boston this afternoon. Like Derek Jeter said yesterday, the team’s been anxious to break camp for about a week now, and Anthony DiComo had a great little tidbit about Joba Chamberlain begging Nick Swisher not to take any pitches today.

There was a lot of first-pitch swinging and a lot of taking it easy around the bases in this afternoon’s game against the Yankees minor leaguers.

The good news is, the Yankees are making their way north with a roster that ultimately wasn’t affected by the injuries of the past week or so. All of the questionable players reported to camp this morning feeling better than the day before. The roster is set. The lineup is decided.

Spring training is over.

The season begins tomorrow.

• There’s Jeter and Jesus. That’s the Yankees captain and their top prospect in an AP photo from today’s game. Credit the Associated Press for the Teixeira photo as well.

• Jorge Posada played today, so he’s clearly good to go, and manager Joe Girardi said he expects Nick Johnson to also be in the Opening Day lineup. “He should be okay tomorrow,” Girardi said. “He feels pretty good today.” Johnson said he’s still sore, but he has no worries about being able to play tomorrow.

• Damaso Marte was cleared to play catch today, and Francisco Cervelli was cleared to catch in the bullpen, take batting practice and ride a stationary bike. Cervelli will run tomorrow and said he could have played today if necessary. His hamstring is, “a little tight, but not like the first day.”

• Mike Rivera was released.

• Girardi on the decision to send Boone Logan to Triple-A: “He did everything right and pitched really well. We’re excited about him. We believe at some point he’ll have an impact.”

• Marcus Thames on making the team after his slow start to the spring: “(I was) beating myself up a little bit, trying to do a little bit too much because I’ve always wanted to come back here and play,” Thames said. “That day I hit the home run (against Detroit), that felt good. I hadn’t put a charge in one all spring and it finally happened. I finally got that feel back.”

• Thames hit another homer today, his third in the past eight days.

• In case you missed it in the game post, neither of the players the Yankees lost in the Rule 5 Draft will be coming back to the team. At least not yet. Zach Kroenke cleared waivers and accepted a spot in the Diamondbacks minor league system. Kanekoa Texeira has made the Mariners bullpen after a terrific spring.

• Also in case you missed it, Chad Moeller has been brought back to the Yankees organization on a minor league deal. He’s essentially the third-string catcher in New York and Jesus Montero’s backup in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

• Because most of the writers have flights to catch tonight, Girardi started his pregame media session with fake quotes about the game, the joke being that we could use those and not talk to him afterward. Girardi made up some stuff about Vazquez’s outing, then said, “There were runners at second and third and I walked Montero.” Of course, that situation never really happened, but at the time it was pretty solid manager-to-media comedy.

• The Red Sox seem to have their lineup set for tomorrow according to our old friend Pete Abe.

• For whatever it’s worth, major league Yankees beat the minor league Yankees 9-6. Robinson Cano’s terrific spring continued with a 2-for-2 day. Jesus Montero and Brad Suttle also had two hits. Colin Curtis doubled, Ivan Nova was knocked around and Shade Heathcott was a lot faster than I expected.

YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Jorge Posada C
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Randy Winn RF
Brett Gardner LF

RHP Javier Vazquez

FUTURE STARS
Slade Heathcott CF
Corban Joseph 3B
Jesus Montero C
David Adams 2B
J.R. Murphy DH
Colin Curtis LF
Brad Suttle 1B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Melky Mesa RF

RHP Jonathan Albaladejo

TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m./YES Network

WEATHER: A few clouds but nothing to worry about. A nice way to wrap up the spring.

UMPIRES: There are umpires here, but I don’t know their names.

ON THE LINE: Absolutely nothing. The roster’s set, but it will probably be nice to get Jorge Posada a few at-bats after missing a couple days. Javier Vazquez is making his last start of the spring.

KEVIN LAWN AWARDS: Before the game, the Yankees presented Austin Romine and Zach McAllister with their minor league Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year awards. Members of last year’s Tampa Yankees were also given their Florida State League rings.

UPDATE, 1:09 p.m.: The Yankees Rule 5 picks aren’t coming back. Zach Kroenke cleared waivers but decided to stay with the Diamondbacks. Kanekoa Texeira will be in the Mariners bullpen after a terrific spring in which he was named the top rookie at the Peoria Sports Complex, which includes both Mariners and Padres.

UPDATE, 1:15 p.m.: Slade Heathcott led off with an infield single — he’s got some speed, no doubt — and Jesus Montero just doubled him to third. For those who really want to see the young guys do well, that’s almost a perfect start to the game, the team’s top prospect and first-round pick getting hits in their first at-bats.

UPDATE, 1:29 p.m.: Single. Single. Walk. Seems like not much has changed this spring for Jonathan Albaladejo.

UPDATE, 1:30 p.m.: Of course, he just struck out Alex Rodriguez. Maybe I owe Alby an apology.

UPDATE, 2:03 p.m.: Forgot to mention this: It still seems likely Mike Rivera will eventually be released, but Girardi said this morning that Brian Cashman is “trying to find a spot for him.” That could mean Cashman is trying to trade him to someone who needs a Triple-A catcher, but that sort of deal probably wouldn’t generate much.

UPDATE, 2:05 p.m.: After two at-bats and three innings behind the plate, Jorge Posada is done. He doubled here in the third and was replaced by Austin Romine.

UPDATE, 2:10 p.m.: This is clearly the last inning for the Yankees regulars. Posada, Teixeira, Rodriguez and Cano are already out. Oh, and Ivan Nova is getting knocked around.

UPDATE, 2:17 p.m.: Changes for the Yankees (the major league team): Russo at third, Corona at second, Pilittere at first, Romine at catcher, Golson in center and Pena at short.

UPDATE, 2:40 p.m.: Medchill has entered the game in left and Krum is in right for the Yankees. Vazquez is the only New York starter still in the game. Pena is also in the game at short and Thames is in there somewhere, DH I think.

UPDATE, 2:43 p.m.: And now Vazquez is out of the game after 4.1 innings. Melancon is in from the bullpen. This is officially minor leaguers vs. minor leaguers (plus Ramiro Pena).

UPDATE, 3:10 p.m.: Vazquez threw 80 pitches, 56 strikes. Abraham Almonte is now playing left and Daniel Brewer is now playing right for the Future Stars. Mesa has moved from right to center.

Joe Girardi said the major league regulars will play three or four innings today. “If a guy wants a couple of at-bats, it could be five or six (innings),” Girardi said. Nick Johnson and Francisco Cervelli will not play, but Marcus Thames and Ramiro Pena are listed as being available off the bench.

Here are the rosters of minor league players available.

Pinstripes
Home team. These are basically the extra players on the major league team’s bench.

Pitchers
Noel Castillo
Jonathan Ortiz
Mark Melancon
Amaury Sanit
Pat Venditte
Kevin Whelan

Catchers
Ryan Baker
Austin Romine
P.J. Pilittere

Infielders
Reegie Corona
Walter Ibarra
Addison Maruszak
Jose Pirela
Jimmy Paredes
Kevin Russo
Kevin Smith

Outfielders
Greg Golson
Austin Krum
Neil Medchill
Jack Rye
Damon Sublett

Grays
Visiting team. This is the team made entirely of minor league players.

Pitchers
Jonathan Albaladejo
Wilkins Arias
Phil Bartieski
Ivan Nova
Lance Pendleton
John Van Benschoten
Eric Wordekemper

Catchers
Jose Gil
Jesus Montero
J.R. Murphy

Infielders
David Adams
Matt Cusick
Corban Joseph
Emerson Landoni
Juan Miranda
Eduardo Nunez
Luis Nunez
Brad Suttle

Outfielders
Abraham Almonte
Dan Brewer
Colin Curtis
Slade Heathcott
Melky Mesa

Marcus Thames has made the Yankees roster as a reserve outfielder. He was told late yesterday and signed his paperwork this morning.

“That was a weight lifted off my shoulders,” he said.

Thames got off to a dreadful start this spring, but he seemed to get things going after a home run off lefty Nate Robertson during a road game against Detroit. He hit another home run the next day, all part of a four-game hitting streak that seemed to get him back on track.

—

Nothing official from the team, but according to a source, the Yankees have signed Chad Moeller to a minor league contract and will have him backup Jesus Montero in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Moeller was released by the Orioles earlier this spring. The Yankees are expected to release Mike Rivera, who struggled in big league camp.

According to the source, the Yankees have also signed utility man Robby Hammock, who can catch and play the corners. He will also open in Triple-A, essentially taking the place of Jorge Vazquez, who will open on the disabled list.

—

Damaso Marte, Francisco Cervelli and Jorge Posada each reported progress this morning. Marte will play catch, Posada will play in the game and Cervelli will catch in the bullpen, hit in the cage and ride a stationary bike. All three expect to be on the Opening Day roster.

Still waiting on an official announcement about the last bullpen spot.

UPDATE, 12:12 p.m.: Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves are in the bullpen. Boone Logan optioned to Triple-A.

Jorge Posada is back in the lineup and said he’s back to being able to hit from either side of the plate.

YANKEES
Jeter SS
Posada C
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher DH
Granderson CF
Winn RF
Gardner LF

RHP Javier Vazquez

FUTURE STARS
Heathcott CF
Joseph 3B
Montero C
Adams 2B
Murphy DH
Curtis LF
Suttle 1B
E. Nunez SS
Mesa RF

RHP Jonathan Albaladejo

With one more game to play before they can finally leave town, the Yankees are anxious to get on the road to Fenway. “I’ve got a feeling most guys were probably ready about a week ago,” Derek Jeter said.

They’d like to get out before another player goes down. On Friday it was Nick Johnson and Damaso Marte who had their names added to the walking wounded. The notebook also has items on the wait for a complete roster, A-Rod’s meeting with baseball investigators, reassignments to minor league camp and an award for Jon Weber.

As you might expect, the Yankees have a late report time for today’s game against the team’s minor leaguers. I’ll have those lineups as soon as they’re posted.

Former Yankees manager Joe Torre decided to have some fun with one of his final roster decisions. Infielder Blake DeWitt, who’s had a monster spring for the Dodgers, was called into Torre’s office and told he was going back to Triple-A.

April Fools!

DeWitt had been named the Dodgers starting second baseman instead.

There’s a different sort of trick being played in Yankees camp. The team stayed healthy all spring, and now that it’s time to make the final decisions about the roster, the Yankees have two catchers, two relievers and a designated hitter nursing fairly minor injuries. It’s the injuries to Alfredo Aceves and Damaso Marte that seem to be holding up the final 25-man roster announcement.

“We have to see how Ace is, we’ve got to see how Damo is, before we move forward,” manager Joe Girardi said.

Left open is the possibility that the Yankees could make an 11th hour move to strengthen the roster.

“We’ll just keep paying attention to what’s shaking out everywhere,” Brian Cashman said, “and comparing (available players) to what we have here before we lock ourselves into any final decisions.”

After being rained out twice and forced into an intrasquad game once, Andy Pettitte got Dave Eiland’s forecast for Friday’s game well ahead of time. ”Dave told me several days ago there was a zero percent chance (of rain),” Pettitte said. “I was still waiting for a black cloud to move in, but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky today.”

Pettitte pitched well in only his second full start of the spring. He pitched 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing seven hits but consistently stranding the base runners. Only one of the seven hits went for extra bases. He also walked one and struck out one.

“”I felt like my command maybe could have been a little bit better with my fastball,” Pettitte said. “Other than that I felt really good. I did get a little tired there at the end which I knew was going to happen because even though I threw 100 pitched my last time out, you just can’t simulate the adrenalin and having batters in there… The biggest reason I needed it was to build my stamina up, because you can’t build your stamina up in simulated games because it’s just not real.”

—

Here’s the Joe Girardi audio from this afternoon. He talked mostly about the series of injuries that have hit his team in the last week of spring training.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

—

• After Mariano Rivera hit Felix Pie with a pitch, Girardi ran to the mound to check on his closer. Rivera said it was because he’s been sick and Girardi was checking on him, but Rivera might have simply been being polite, not wanting to call out the Orioles’ bench. “Something (was said) from their dugout,” Girardi said. “He just walked off the mound, got back on the mound… It might have been in response to my frustration the other day. It’s okay.” You might remember that Girardi got upset with the Orioles when Jeremy Guthrie hit two Yankees on Monday.

• Royce Ring was reassigned to minor league camp, leaving only Boone Logan competing to be a second lefty in the Yankees bullpen. Turns out, Zack Segovia was sent down yesterday.

• Alex Rodriguez confirmed a Daily News story that he has already met with investigators from Major League Baseball concerning his connection to Dr. Tony Galea.

• Forgot to mention this earlier: Damaso Marte said his current shoulder injury is nothing like last year’s, and might actually have been caused by his exercises that were intended to strengthen his shoulder. “Maybe too much workout for my shoulder,” Marte said. “I’ve been working hard this month on my shoulder. I never felt like this. This is new.”

• Nice job by minor leaguer Josh Schmidt to get out of a jam and strand two runners for Pettitte in the fifth. Schmidt had terrific numbers in Double-A last season and had a great winter in Venezuela, but his raw stuff has never wowed scouts.

• Nick Swisher hit his second spring home run today and will finish with a .313 Grapefruit League batting average. He’s made some adjustments that he’s hoping will lead to a higher batting average this season.

• Catcher Mike Rivera played in a game for the first time since March 20.

• The Yankees will play a group of organizational, minor league all-stars tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. Javier Vazquez will start for the Yankees and most of their regulars will be in the lineup, though they aren’t expected to play very long (especially given the injury bug that’s floating through camp). There’s still no word on which minor leaguers will be involved.

Those are obviously Associated Press photos.

The Yankees made it almost all the way through spring training without me needing to create a “injury updates” post. We’ve now had two of them in two days. “It’s frustrating because we were extremely healthy,” Joe Girardi said.

Nick Johnson
Fouled a pitch off his right knee and has a bone bruise. That’s the AP shot of his reaction.

“Stiff and sore right now,” Johnson said. “Not going to do anything tomorrow, get some treatments and see how it feels.”

Johnson gave a no-doubt “yes” when asked about his chances of playing on Opening Day, but Girardi seemed slightly less certain.

“I’m somewhat concerned about Sunday,” Girardi said. “It’s like taking a liner off the knee.”

Alfredo Aceves
Threw all of eight pitches in a scoreless inning in minor league camp, but also threw off flat ground and warmed up in the bullpen, all without feeling any pain.

“It was good,” Aceves said. “Everything was good. I didn’t feel nothing in my back.”

Girardi said his reports were positive, but the Yankees have to wait to see how Aceves feels tomorrow.

Damaso Marte
His left shoulder felt “cranky” after a long toss session a few days ago. He had to skip today’s scheduled relief appearance, but Marte said he’s confident he won’t have to go on the disabled list.

“I don’t feel like that,” he said. “I feel like maybe two or three days (will be enough time).”

Jorge Posada and Francisco Cervelli
Posada said his stiff neck felt “much better” and Cervelli said his strained hamstring felt “a lot better.”

Cervelli caught in the bullpen and took batting practice. He said he could have played today if necessary. “I think I can be ready,” he said.

Posada has a better chance of playing tomorrow than Cervelli, Girardi said. It’s possible he could get a couple of at-bats if he shows up with his neck perfectly loose.