Friday postgame notes: Kuroda makes spring debut
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 01, 2013 
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Hard to get a good sense of Hiroki Kuroda’s first spring outing. Now only was it his debut — which doesn’t carry much weight under the best circumstances — but it was clouded by defensive mistakes that kept him from getting through a full second inning. Joe Girardi said Kuroda was “alright,” and Kuroda seemed to agree.
“Early in spring training, there were a few pitches that were good and a few pitches that were not,” Kuroda said. “The main thing was to make sure that I throw strikes, to put the ball in the zone, and to work on my breaking balls, which are not there yet.”
The big hit Kuroda allowed came on his final pitch of the day, which Jimmy Rollins crushed for a double.
“Cutter,” Kuroda said. “But straight.”
In Kuroda’s first spring start a year ago, he allowed three earned runs through two innings. And last year worked out pretty well. Today Kuroda was told that Brian Cashman has called him one of the Yankees most important signings of the offseason.
“I’m grateful for that comment,” he said. “I wish I will be able to contribute as the team expects me to do.”
• It’s still very early, but Francisco Cervelli seems to be setting himself apart in the Yankees catching competition. He had two hits today, including a double. More importantly, he threw out yet another base runner. It was a delayed throw — the runner clearly thought the pitch was ball four — but it was another good throw. “I think he got a little out of whack from maybe rushing or trying to do too much,” Girardi said. “He was able to go down there (to Triple-A) and really get it back together like he had when he first came up for us throwing the baseball. It’s shown up.”
• Phil Hughes could throw a baseball as early as Sunday. “That’s depending on how I react to these exercises the next couple of days,” Hughes said. Originally expected to throw Tuesday, Hughes program was accelerated because he’s had no problems during all of this pool work he’s been doing. “He did a lot of stuff today in the pool, and I think did some arm rotation,” Girardi said. “That is a good sign that it will be on Sunday.”
• David Adams was hoping to do some fielding today, but he wasn’t given the green light just yet. He said he’ll ask again tomorrow.
• As you probably expect, Kevin Youkilis said he felt fine in his return to the lineup.
• Robinson Cano was clearly uncomfortable talking about his contract before today’s game — “It’s never going to go out of your head,” he said — but that talk didn’t seem to bother him on the field where Cano went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Girardi said he’s not worried about Cano’s contract being a distraction. “One way or another, Robbie’s going to get paid,” Girardi said. “I don’t think that’s Robbie’s biggest concern.
• I thought pregame that Adonis Garcia was going to play the whole game in center. Instead, Melky Mesa shifted mid-game from left field to center. He wound up with five at-bats, which gave him time to strikeout twice, steal a base and hit a home run. Pretty typical Mesa. It was his second homer and second steal of the spring.
• Dave Robertson managed his first escape of the year. He was brought in with a runner at second in the middle of the second inning and got out of it. Joba Chamberlain followed Robertson out of the bullpen, and although his fastball hit 94 mph several times — hit 95 at least once — according to the YES gun, he did walk two and give up two runs.
• Another two-hit day for Juan Rivera, who had his third double. He’s certain hit better than Matt Diaz early in camp. He’s batting .463 so far. Very, very early though. … Ronnier Mustelier hasn’t had many at-bats, but he’s hitting .500 and had his first home run this afternoon. … Two fielding errors for Addison Maruszak, but he also had two hits, including a two-run double off Jonathan Papelbon. … Another good outing for Vidal Nuno who went three hitless innings with two walks and four strikeouts. … Tom Kahnle struck out two in a scoreless ninth.
• Tomorrow is expected to be the final game for Cano and Mark Teixeira before they leave for the World Baseball Classic. I assume that’s true for the other WBC guys in camp (Mesa, Gil Velazquez, Juan Cedeno and Walter Ibarra). “We’ve got two everyday infielders that are leaving,” Girardi siad. “We’ve got a couple of other guys that are backups that are leaving. (Young players) going to have to play, and they’re going to have to relax. That’s all.”
• Opening spring training with a 1-7 record is pretty meaningless, but obviously the Yankees would like to be winning a little more than this. “You’re not pleased,” Girardi said. “We really haven’t had our normal rotation in there. We’re seeing a lot of young kids. I don’t like to lose no matter what time of year it is, but we’re capable of playing better. We showed that the first day. It’s been a while since then, but we’ll just keep going out. We’re going to win a game again, I’m sure.”
Associated Press photos
The record doesn’t matter but you really would like to see better defense….it just looks bad a pro players at any level need to play defense better than they have so far
Francesa said today that he heard that the Yanks and Boras are $20m apart. He was in Yankees camp yesterday so he could have spoken to someone. But he never has any inside info on the Yanks so I doubt he knows anything. I didn’t hear him mention any years or $. Buster Olney said today that the Yanks and Boras are talking about a big money contract.
If they are only 20 million apart then it’ll get done….but I seriously doubt that’s the case
Kahnle was very impressive, you could tell Flaherty was impressed as well.
Here is the link to Buster Olney talking about Cano and the Yanks contract talks
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=9002226
I doubt the $189/7 is their first offer because I can’t imagine they would start that high in total contract and AAV.
Maybe it’s $ 20 M a YEAR that they’re apart!??!
No way they are $ 20 M total apart…. Unless the Yanks are insane…. Because Boras is certainly looking for at least 8 years @ $ 25 M per.
Jerkface says:
March 1, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Kahnle was very impressive, you could tell Flaherty was impressed as well.
For reals
The Yanks are probably somewhere between $160-$175. I wouldn’t be surprised if Boras is looking for 9/$225m. No way would he let him sign right now for anything less than a little over $200m.
I’m watching the last few innings of today’s game on TV.
Did Preston Claiborne really hit 101 on radar gun vs Tyson Gillies.
Now I see why Almonte is not a very good fielder with a bad route on a pop up to Rf off Kahnle for a hit.
Impressed with Mustelier-every hit to opposite field and now a homer to right, plus he isn’t that bad a fielder. Yesterday’s catch in RF was pretty good before Heathcott tackled him.
Saw Mesa’s homer off a high slider.
At this point I wouldn’t mind seeing the Yankees bring Musty and Mesa with them.
If the Yanks really went 189/7, they should just do 200/8 now and try to get this wrapped before the season even begins.
If you’re already starting that high, are you really going to let $11 million over the course of the deal stop you from retaining him?? By years 6-8 there’s no other money on the payroll and all of the expensive vets will most definitely be retired.
I’m pulling for Kahnle I saw him pitch for Shaker High School.
Good story about former Yankee Scott Proctor – always liked this guy and while he gives Torre a pass, I don’t.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......-downfall/
I would be fine with Mesa opening in LF and Mustellier on the roster as well. There was a good point made earlier that Mustellier is probably a better bet to come in and immediately hit at the major league level since he played most of last year at AAA and Melky has only had a handful of at bats above AA.
In any case, we’ve seen (early as it is) that there are at least three options that are better than Diaz and Rivera.
The HR hit by Mustelier was actually a good pitch. Located maybe a little off the outer edge of the k-zone. He showed a good plan at the plate. He keeps doing that, his chances go up exponentially.
Proctor really took one for the team on the last day of the 2011 season. He’s an easy guy to root for.
“The HR hit by Mustelier was actually a good pitch. Located maybe a little off the outer edge of the k-zone. He showed a good plan at the plate. He keeps doing that, his chances go up exponentially.”
Really nice plate coverage and swing there….dude can hit….really nothing for him to do in AAA at his age
Wonder if the Padres would consider a Nova for Gyorko trade.
Chip says:
March 1, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Wonder if the Padres would consider a Nova for Gyorko trade.
Doubt it….he’s their 3B when Headley leaves
blake March 1st, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Really nice plate coverage and swing there….dude can hit….really nothing for him to do in AAA at his age
———————————————————————————————————
The other nice part about it was when the announcer mentioned no wind aiding the ball. He showed his power to RF. Always a nice side benefit playing at YS.
blake March 1st, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Chip says:
March 1, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Wonder if the Padres would consider a Nova for Gyorko trade.
Doubt it….he’s their 3B when Headley leave
———————–
Well they could always keep Chase.
The gift that kees on giving:
Jerkface January 3rd, 2013 at 3:24 pm
See this is what I’m saying. You’re saying the Yankees won’t even spend 1.5 million on a 1 year deal in free agency.
_________
So, a year from now – you have:
Robertson
Montgomery
Kahnle
Claiborne
Marshall/Phelps
Nuno
Rondon
w/ Pinder and Goody also waiting in the wings – and a bunch of other no. 4 and no. 5 starters in the minors who could be converted – - – -
WHERE IS THE SPACE FOR THE 1.5 MILLION FREE AGENT SIGNING CRAZY???
What a joke – - – -
This is Stoneburner, reporting from Ceti Alpha V, with the wax poetic minute – - – - -
“Good story about former Yankee Scott Proctor – always liked this guy and while he gives Torre a pass, I don’t.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports……-downfall/”
Neither did “Big Harold” in the commentors section. Heck, I’d drink too if my arm was about to fall off…
And in monumentally important news from today:
http://www.travelandleisure.co.....or-pizza/3
Ahem. If you check out #1, sadly it isn’t New York!
“Doubt it….he’s their 3B when Headley leave
———————–
Well they could always keep Chase.”
Sure…but doubtful….reports were that he wasn’t giving a discount and that extension talks were “very short and went nowhere”…..probably be traded this summer I bet
Blake,
I doubt that – it’s really hard to trade a star of that level during the season.
Lol you think every prospect is going to make it to the majors lol.
Rhapsody,
Kahnle looks pretty darn good. He may be better than Montgomery.
“I doubt that – it’s really hard to trade a star of that level during the season.”
It happens ….if the Padres aren’t in it at the deadline and they are nowhere on an extension then they will probably look to move him….sometimes teams will pay more at the deadline than in the winter
Austinmac-
I just didn’t see much movement on Kahnle’s 93-96 mph fastball. Am I missing something?
The Stoneburner series has jumped the shark
YT,
He was throwing it by people and threw some very good CUs. I like 93-96 compared to 90-91, but Montgomery does have that slider. I hope it plays well vs. MLB hitters.
I’m watching Shark Tank right now
New Post———->
What, did somebody see Claiborne hit 101?