Spring training Game 11: Yankees vs. Braves
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 05, 2013 
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YANKEES (3-7)
Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Jayson Nix 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Eduardo Nunez SS
Chris Stewart C
Dan Johnson 1B
Zoilo Almonte RF
Corban Joseph 3B
RHP David Phelps (1-0, 0.00)
Phelps vs. Braves
BRAVES (5-6)
Jordan Schafer CF
Jason Heyward RF
Justin Upton LF
Freddie Freeman 1B
B.J. Upton DH
Dan Uggla 2B
Chris Johnson 3B
Tyler Pastornicky SS
Matt Pagnozzi C
LHP Paul Maholm
Maholm vs. Yankees
TIME/TV: 7:05 p.m., YES Network
WEATHER: First night game of the year. Temperatures in the mid 60s. Bit of wind blowing out to center.
UMPIRES: HP David Rackley, 1B Jeff Gosney, 2B Dan Iassogna, 3B Manny Gonzalez
OUTFIELD ALIGNMENT: Girardi said before today’s game that he’s going to shuffle his outfield alignment from game to game as he prepares for different possible scenarios without Curtis Granderson. Zoilo Almonte has spent most of his minor league time in right field, so if he makes the big league team, the Yankees will likely go with today’s outfield on a regular basis.
THIRD TIME’S CHARM: This will be the third spring start for David Phelps, and the second time he’s faced the Braves. He pitched against Atlanta in the spring opener.
WHAT TO WATCH: Obvoiusly Almonte is in the mix for a big league job, so he’s worth watching. He’s had a nice spring so far. … Sounds like Mark Teixeira’s injury isn’t too serious, but even so, Dan Johnson is one of the guys who could replace him if necessary. … Francisco Cervelli seems to have the lead in the catching competition. Chris Stewart gets another chance to make up ground today. … Both Joba Chamberlain and Dave Robertson are scheduled to pitch today. Apparently David Aardsma might pitch as well.
UPDATE, 7:37 p.m.: Sorry, I’ve been writing for the paper and haven’t updated at all, but David Phelps just made a smooth little barehanded play on the mound. I know it’s a horrible thing for a pitcher to do, and clearly he should have let the ball go through, but still… it looked cool. It’s 1-0 Braves in the top of the second. The Yankees stranded the bases loaded in their half of the first.
UPDATE, 7:53 p.m.: That’s another brutally bad throw by Stewart. He threw one into the outfield earlier this spring, and now he’s thrown one high and to the first base side of second.
UPDATE, 8:28 p.m.: Braves starter Paul Maholm threw 81 pitches today. Meanwhile, here’s Joba Chamberlain to pitch the fifth inning. It’s 1-0 Braves in the top of the fifth.
UPDATE, 8:35 p.m.: Remember the Adonis Garcia wrist injury that didn’t seem to be a big deal? Well, it’s a bit of a big deal. Garcia has a broken wrist — the hook of hamate — and will have surgery on Thursday.
UPDATE, 9:21 p.m.: Rough outing for Montgomery who gave up a leadoff single, walked two guys, balked in a run, then hit a guy. His only out was a pretty hard hit fly ball to right. It’s now 2-0 Braves in the top of the seventh.
Not a great start for Phelps, but he just snuck a change up by Heyward for a swing and miss, nice!
Heyward hit a pretty deep fly out that let Schaeffer advance to third on his double and then Nunez didn’t error on a ground ball to get the 2nd out, but the runner scored
Ouch.
Gardner 9 pitch AB to leadoff the game with a single. Still on fire.
Jerkface March 5th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Gardner 9 pitch AB to leadoff the game with a single. Still on fire.
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He has to be the lead off man. The Year of Grittiness.
Every Nunez at-bat = an opportunity to talk about Derek Jeter.
Time for Stewie to put one in the seats.
Time for Stewart to shine with bases loaded
Stewie looks a little like… Gumby.
So Tex is missing all of the WBC?
Phelps that was dangerous…but badass
Nice play Phelps!
Phelps is looking good. He’s a starter all the way. It will be a really interesting problem to have if he remains our 6th guy.
Yanks were working some good at bats until Dan Johnson there.
Phelps is looking good. He’s a starter all the way. It will be a really interesting problem to have if he remains our 6th guy.
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Hughes won’t be ready for the season so Phelps may get a start or two.
Gardner is a machine.
I think that was a bad call..
Corban’s having a rough time of it tonight..
ST seems like a good time to brush up on my umpire hating skills..
They’re reporting on Tex’s latest tweet lol.. this is real life.
I don’t get why they should discuss Cash’s injury along with Tex, Grandy and Hughes!! I am glad him getting injured is bringing attention to a worthy cause.. but it’s weird to see him listed with the other three in the injuries report.
Stewart not throwing well in spring or last year
Lou says skydiving was a no-no in their contracts back in the day… is this still true? Lou sounds a lot better in the booth btw. This time last year he sounded just as crazy but at least now he sounds crazy with a script.
Bad, BAD throw from Stewie.
Hey Stewie, Nunez is playing SS tonight, not Nix.
Remember when Phelps had two pickoffs in a row?
Phelps has a real nice move.
What the heck is wrong with Stewart’s arm??
Corban Joseph has adorable hair.
Let’s be real…
Cervelli is the starting catcher and Stewie was always going to be the back up.
So the Yanks are playing against Robinson Cano and friends tomorrow….? Weird.
ac – I hope by midseason Romine finds his way into the backup role.
Cervelli is the starting catcher and Stewie was always going to be the back up.
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I dont think that was ever a guarantee. IF cervelli wasn’t gunning everyone down I don’t think he’d be the starter.
Freeman just tickled Phelps on the field.
I need my own personal gif maker because that was adorbs.
Phelps needs to be out there in bubble wrap today…
Would it be to much to ask for the stadium to play Miami Vice when Dan Johnson comes to bat?
ac – I hope by midseason Romine finds his way into the backup role.
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I hope he moves to starting role and cervelli moves to back up.
“What the heck is wrong with Stewart’s arm??”
maybe girardi and pena have been instructing him.
Errors erry day
@LoHudYankees
Adonis Garcia has a broken left wrist and will have surgery on Thursday. Happened during batting practice Sunday. #yankees
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Unbelievable, hope he can come back soon. Its not like he was going to make the team but he needs to get a lot of PAs this season to give the Yankees a good look.
I would actually be ok if our lineup was
1. Gardner
2. Ichiro
3. Jeter
4. Cano
5. Tex
6. Hafner
7. Youk
8. Cervelli
9. Mesa/Almonte
Bench: Nunez, Nix, Rivera (4th OF), Stewie (BUC)
And its the wrist, which means no power for a year.
Another injury?
Another one on a practice swing no less?
I like that Kenny and Lou were kind of skeptical about Girardi’s reasoning behind keeping Grandy in CF.
Scary pitch by Pinder
Hey Chad
Would it be possible to to do a post or article on defensive positioning with the Yankees. I am curious as to who is responsible for what, where they get their scouting reports from (is it all internal?) and if the Yankees plan on “shifting more this year. Thanks
My first time seeing Montgomery this spring…. Very excited.
Rough news about Garcia.
Pinella doesn’t think that the replacement for Granderson is in camp…I think Pinella is a really good manager but doesn’t know what he’s talking about when it comes to player movement with the team.
Murphy has Stewitis.
well, that’s not good JR.
Why is Pinella snooping around the Yankees? He is a loser. He would be our Bobby Valentine, a catastrophe in NY albeit a short one.
Montgomerys not looked good this spring, still needs more seasoning.
Let’s see if Rondon can stop the bleeding.
NASTY slider. Wow!
Nasty pitch.
Very lucky to get out of that inning without more damage!
Rondon’s been really impressive
in fact, I’ve been impressed with all the Yankee LHRP guys to various degrees…Spence, Cedeno, Rondon – these guys should make Logan expendable in the right situation.
With Cedeno at the WBC and Logan hurt, Rondon’s going to get a pretty good look. Though Cedeno will be pitching for Tony Pena…so that’s good for both of them.
@DanBarbarisi: Cashman says hes worried about Teixeira [who felt “pop] – shut down for minimum two weeks
Wow, that pitch hit 100.
Face -
Cashman was just on the YES broadcast saying he’s worried about it lingering.
If it does. You almost have to move Youk to 1b and go with Corban Joseph at 3b for now right?
Mustlier played 3b some in Scranton but apparently they don’t like him there.
Or do you go try to swing a late spring deal for someone like Chris Johnson?
@DanBarbarisi: Cashman says hes worried about Teixeira [who felt “pop] – shut down for minimum two weeks
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So less than two weeks to get ready.
Wonderful.
This is going to be an interesting opening day lineup.
I dont know what you do if Tex is out, that screws the yankees. At that point I’d just take Mustelier! He may hit. Corban has blown on defense all spring. I don’t think the Yankees would trust him with it.
I guess they’d probably atry to get someone off waivers/small time trade
Wish I could have actually seen that Musty at bat instead of the extended Cashman interview.
Ken Singleton and Pinella using Mustellier as an example of the great players who have come out of the Dominican Republic…sigh.
If it does. You almost have to move Youk to 1b and go with Corban Joseph at 3b for now right?
Mustlier played 3b some in Scranton but apparently they don’t like him there.
Or do you go try to swing a late spring deal for someone like Chris Johnson?
_______
I would move Youk to 1st and give CoJo a chance at 3rd. Too bad they don’t believe Nunez can play 3rd…
What a spring it’s been.
Out:
Alex
Hughes
Tex
Grandy
Those are just the significant players.
If Tex heard a pop, I don’t think thats good. I’d bet on more than 2 weeks down time…
And Robertson ‘had trouble’ loosening up?
What the F is going on with these guys?
If Tex heard a pop, I don’t think thats good. I’d bet on more than 2 weeks down time…
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And when he DOES come back he will be way behind. We can expect the spring Tex (.135 AVG until July now.
Joseph has not looked good at 3B. They should have a look at Mustelier there.
But they would probably go with Nix.
Joseph has not looked good at 3B. They should have a look at Mustelier there.
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Should, but more likely they stick with Youk at 3B and inexplicably play Juan Rivera at 1B.
ac1 March 5th, 2013 at 9:55 pm
And Robertson ‘had trouble’ loosening up?
What the F is going on with these guys?
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This has 08 written all over it
Hearing a pop in the wrist is bad news, I fear. That sounds like some structure tore. Chavez to third and Youkilis to first. Oh wait, he cost a couple million.
No one will ever throw a strike to Cano if Teixiera is out a long while.
Recently, the minor league brigade has been scuffling also. Dan Johnson at first? Has he gotten a hit yet? Almonte does not look remotely like a good hitter from the right side.
AC -
It’s not a question of not believing Nunez can play 3b; Nunez can’t play 3b.
My hope is that they don’t do something stupid like trade Almonte for Willie Bloomquist.
My hope is that they don’t do something stupid like trade Almonte for Willie Bloomquist.
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God for once i hope they just go with their guys…. but i agree they will do something stupid. Trading Almonte would be dumb but i can see them doing something even more stupid and trading williams or austin.
Mac -
No, Dan Johnson has been awful.
Almonte does look like he needs to work on his RH at bats.
But I refuse to even move toward the panic button at this point.
nix at 3b and youk at 1b would be most likely
AC –
They’re not going to trade one of those guys. Not for a part time bench player. The Yankees do some head scratching things some times, but they wouldn’t do that.
I don’t really think they would trade Almonte in that scenario either.
I would be fine with them looking at Mustelier there – but we haven’t even seen him play there this spring a little.
I’m sure someone will shake loose who makes some sense.
ac1 March 5th, 2013 at 10:06 pm
nix at 3b and youk at 1b would be most likely
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If it’s a short term situation I agree – if not, Nix will get exposed pretty fast playing every day. If it came down to it, they might just stick Nunez there and hope he doesn’t throw too many balls to the fans.
If Tex is out we are screwed….not that he’s like an elite player now. …but they really can’t afford to lose anybody else.
Very blah game…..thought Phelps pretty well….thought Joba looked good and is throwing as free and easy as I’ve seen him in a long time.
I’m not all that impressed with Montgomery to be honest and really haven’t been from the first time I saw him in the AFL….I think he does have a good slider but I just have yet o see the guy that put those numbers up…. His fastball looks flat and hittable and his command hasn’t looked great either….he’s not ready for the bigs yet
If there was ever a spring training for the kids to open the yankees eyes, it is this one.
CoJo, Adams (if he ever gets on the field), Mesa, Almonte – all would have a real chance to break camp as of today….
Can Damon play first?
Or how about a return of the Giambino! Oh wait he couldn’t play first when he was here the first time.
Seriously maybe its only two weeks and not a big deal.
Or how about a return of the Giambino! Oh wait he couldn’t play first when he was here the first time.
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He has a solid spot on the bench in Cleveland.
“He has a solid spot on the bench in Cleveland.”
Haha good for him. I didn’t know that.
A trade for Travis Snider makes a lot of sense – he can play 1b and the OF. On the downside, he’s a LH and hasn’t really developed as a hitter yet. But he’s out of options and not a lock to make the Pirates.
Montgomery may follow the D-rob path to the majors. Wasn’t so long ago D-rob had a 5 ERA in the majors and looked like a 6th-7th inning guy at best. He had to adjust, picked up some mph on his fastball, and then took off.
Not sure we can count on him to come up spitfire.
NO TRADES!
Just let us move with the guys we have…..
Montgomery could follow that path…. But Robertson had that ability to sneak fastballs by guys even when he threw 90 mph….it’s always snuck up on guys…..I just don’t see that with Montgomery….he’s got some deception but the pitch itself is pretty flatline like to me. Everyone compares him to DRob but pitcher wise they are pretty different IMO….
Was cool having Swisher to back up 1B when Tex went down
Blake,
I agree on Montgomery. Major league hitters are much more able to lay off sliders off the plate. He has to be able to get outs on fastballs.
I do like some of the hard throwing young relievers. Joba is throwing well. Aardsma is still a big question to me at 91-92 mph. He only succeeded at 96+.
Here are some up close and personal observations from tonight’s snooze-athon at GMS Field:
-Corban Joseph has no future in a major league infield, he is awful out there.
-Nunez is throwing the ball much better (shorter, more compact motion) than in previous years, the relay on the DP was very good tonight.
-Montgomery was not good tonight, I didn’t see anything that looked like a plus slider and he was missing the glove by a mile on most of his pitches.
-Gardner looks locked in at the plate, Ichiro looks pretty good as well-his double was ripped
-Stewart made just a horrible throw to second, it looked like the ball parachuted out to Nix about 6′ wide of second.
-Phelps wasn’t very good in the 1st couple of innings but threw better as the game went along. The Braves brought most of the regulars so he was facing some good hitters.
-I didn’t think Chamberlain threw the ball all that well but that’s just my observation.
GMS Field is really great, parking was easy in and out and it’s a good place to watch a ballgame-we were in the last row right behind home plate in the 2nd deck, about 15′ from the Yankees radio booth, I was waiting for Suzyn Waldman to start screaming something but went home disappointed.
-”Corban Joseph has no future in a major league infield, he is awful out there.”
He can’t play 3b at all….
I thought Joba looked good…. Ball really seems to be coming out easy to me
Many of us said the team would only succeed if healthy as depth was too expensive. It is early and the info on Teixiera is incomplete, but wrist injuries always seem to linger.
The vets Cashman has added look, if I may be honest, pretty awful.