Pregame notes: “I definitely was at the point I am right now”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Aug 27, 2010 
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Andy Pettitte felt good today. He threw 25 pitches, none of them at 100 percent effort, and his arm and groin felt strong afterward. In that way, today was a good day, but he’s had days like this before.
“I don’t feel anything,” he said. “But I also know I didn’t feel it before, either.”
Pettitte said he hasn’t been sleeping well — “It’s sad when you’re anxious and not sleeping as well about a bullpen,” he said — and he can’t help looking at the schedule and realizing the days are limited, and there aren’t a lot of them left. Even so, he’s trying not to rush. That’s why he followed Gene Monahan’s advice today and did not go full effort. Joe Girardi said Pettitte will likely throw a more intense bullpen on Sunday, and they’ll map things out based on that session.
“I definitely was at the point I am right now before, for sure,” Pettitte said. “I’m going to be as careful as I can so I can get back. I realize how easy it is to screw this up. That’s all I’m worried about right now.”
Girardi said the staff had its collective fingers crossed this afternoon. It was clearly not a day for Pettitte to take a significant step forward, but it was a day when he could have fallen back. Girardi said he doesn’t know the earliest Pettitte could be back at this point, but he wants him to face hitters at least twice. Three and even four times is possible, he said.
“I think you really have to look at his next bullpen,” Girardi said. “See how hard he’s able to go. See how many pitches. Does he need another bullpen? Is a simulated game the next step? Just going to have to wait and see after each turn.”
• It was a massive group that surrounded Girardi for his media session in the dugout. Most cleared out when he finished talking about the Cubs managerial opening. “I think there are 30 jobs in baseball that you can manage in the big leagues, and every one of them is attractive because you’re one of a select few,” Girardi said. “And if you love to manage, any job of the 30 is a wonderful job.”
• More on managing: “If you love this game, it’s flattering to hear your name mentioned as a big league manager. I was flattered to be mentioned with the Yankees. I was flattered to be mentioned with the Marlins. If you love the game, like I do, it’s nice. But my focus is here. I have a responsibility to the Steinbrenners, who have treated me great, and my family great. To Brian Cashman and his staff. To the guys in that room. And to the entire organization and our fan base.”
• Alfredo Aceves has a rehab outing tonight with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Hector Noesi is starting, so it looks like Aceves will pitch out of the pen.
• Lance Berkman took ground balls at first base during batting practice (there’s a chance he’s done that before I just haven’t noticed it). He told me in Toronto that his ankle feels fine, and Girardi said he’s supposed to start running on it again here in Chicago.
• Javier Vazquez should be available to pitch again on Sunday.
• The Red Sox and Rays begin a three-game series tonight. “If we take care of our own business, we’ll be OK,” Girardi said. “I guess ultimately I would wish that they both lost. Can there be a tie?”
• Speaking of the Rays, they just added Brad Hawpe. He could help their unsettled DH situation.
• The White Sox were awarded the waiver claim on Manny Ramirez, but it seems unlikely he’ll be here before the end of this series.
Associated Press photos of Pettitte and Girardi. See that hand holding a couple of recorders over people’s heads in the Girardi shot? Yeah, that’s me. Being 5-foot-10 sucks sometimes.
Let me exhale that we don’t have to see Manny. I don’t care if he’s 38, he’d still find ways to drill us.
“Pitchers love him, he calls a good game, and with the backlog in the minors, bodies have to be moved within the next 2 years. May as well get value for them.”
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Everyone loved Cervelli when he wasn’t terrible. Except for Randy. He seemed to always to see past the flashy energy and fist pumping. Now that he has been awful this season there isn’t a whole lot of stories/quotes about how much the pitchers love him.
Also, Cervelli was a rookie last year and the team/media always puts out feel good stories about how we love this guy and how great he is when a rookie contributes.
Even Cervelli’s biggest fanboy in Trisha hasn’t mentioned him in months and the PFOFs have been silent as well
I like Cervelli and I think he could be better with more experience and less exposure, but I think you are overstating his good qualities + trade value.
any news on september call-ups?
I’m glad Andy had a good day-it’s a good first step, anyway.
Girardi thinks like I do: “I guess ultimately I would wish that they both lost. Can there be a tie?
How dare you!
Kinda thought A-Rod would be back by now. What’s his ETA in the line-up-anyone know?
I’m rooting for the Rays. You take care of a playoff spot and then deal with the division.
JD August 27th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Kinda thought A-Rod would be back by now. What’s his ETA in the line-up-anyone know?
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I think he’s eligible to come off the DL Sept. 4th or 5th.
Girardi and I are on the same page regarding the outcome of that other series.
Nick,
You have been slacking on your PFOF duties. Truth hurts
Been spending too much time and In and Out.
Let me take a wild guess.
The R*d S*x are beating the Rays. They will win the game and sweep the series.
Part of being a positive friend is being both supportive and honest.
I think Cervelli is a nice kid that exposed a real passionate side during HOPE week but I feel and have always felt he is a below average Major Leaguer. Sometimes things happen and you are in the right place at the right time and I think Cisco is a prime example. If he didn’t get noticed during spring training of ’09 and get his arm broken in a collision the sympathy he received from Girardi & staff almost made him a lock.
Tom in NJ -
That was the SI Cover; I didn’t realize until I did a bit of research that it was a 1970 story, 2-plus years after the incident. I was only 12 and new to baseball when that magazine came out. It haunted me. But obviously, the pictures made more of an impression than the words in the story.
I hear you LGY, but disagree. I think he’s in good shape to be backup again next year, but Montero or Romine may get a longer look in ST. As far as 3B/SS is concerned, I actually could have seen trading for Betemit as an option this year. Anyway, I’m out. Enjoy the game!
Enjoy the game everyone. I will be watching with the TV on mute so I don’t have to listen to the idiot that is Hawk Harrelson.
Go AJ!!
jackamir -
Cervelli also played in the WBC for Italy; Ahhh – there goes my brain — the guy who caught for the Dodgers and Mets (name escapes me, but I can see his face very clearly – not hta tyou can tell), was extremely impressed with him – defensively. And what I remember from Girardi was that he said they were also impressed with Cervelli from a defensive standpoint. He was never expected to hit, it was icing on the cake.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, his defense has gone south this season, and I’d really love to know why. Is he tired? Slacking? Are all those hits to the head taking their toll? It really makes no sense.
PIAZZA!! I knew it would come to me if I kept typing…..
Fuentes from Angels to Twins for PTBNL
Chad, look, another no-hitter against the Rays. That’s like the eleventh one this season. No?
I wouldn’t give up on Cisco. In my experience, the more a young person works – at whatever endeavor – the more they come upon situations that they’ve not encountered before. It’s called lack of experience. So, the more they play, the more they’re exposed as young.
Based on my experience with young people (listen to me, sounding like an old professor), I wouldn’t give up on Cisco. Not by a long shot.l
Doreen,
The defensive aspect really is surprising. I believe he always got high marks in the minors for his defense as well. That really is the hardest part to take with Cervelli lately. He is hurting them defensively as well. At least Pena is helping the team on that side of the ball.
LGY -
Yeah – it’s a real head-scratcher. Gotta be something going on with him. Maybe Joe from LI is right – it’s just youth/experience.
I hope the Red Sox do win the series this weekend.
TB is, by far, the bigger threat to the Yankees – especially since Youkilis and Pedroia aren’t coming back.
It’d be great to see the “good” AJ tonight. It’s been a while.July 28 to be exact.
I’ve noticed Cervelli just doesn’t seemed as pumped up or gung ho behind the plate. I think he may just be tired. Even young kids get tired. I hope his hitting isn’t weighing on him.
David Price is such an Ace … just like Ubaldo Jimenez and Tim Lincecum.
Lol.