Mark Teixeira suffered a bruised right knee, during the New York Yankees 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox, when the New York Yankees first baseman was hit by Red Sox reliever Alfredo Aceves in the top of the seventh inning on Thursday night.
Teixeira initially stayed in the game to run bases and play his position, but was forced to leave before the bottom of the inning after his knee stiffened up.
If you listen to the audio of the errant pitch, it sounds like a ball hitting a bat followed by an alley cat's "yeowwww" by Teixeira. Nasty.
Following the inning, Yankees assistant trainer Steve Donahue told "Tex" he wouldn't be able to play the whole game.
"You're not going back out there," he told the hobbled Teixeira.
Now it looks like the slugger will be missing some games this weekend.
Teixeira was drilled in the back of his knee by an 83 mph cutter by the former Yankee. While Teixeira was lucky it wasn't a fastball, the ball hitting the back of his knee still sounded pretty bad and he went down hard.
Derek Jeter suffered the same kind of bruise last weekend and it cost him a couple of games. Jeter's bruise was on the front of his knee.
Teixeira did not get an X-ray and wore a wrap on the sore knee after the game. He must be getting used to being used as a target-- it's the 11th time Tex has been hit this season.
"It got just real stiff. I couldn't move," he said after the game. "It's real stiff right now."
The switch-hitter's absence could be a problem against Toronto this weekend. The Yankees will miss his big bat especially since Alex Rodriguez is already recuperating from a sore thumb. Teixeira has 35 home runs and has knocked in 100 runs this season and the Gold Glover's fielding is a pitcher's best friend.
If Teixeira misses any games, the void will probably be filled by the capable Nick Swisher. Andruw Jones would take Swisher's place in right field.
There is still no word on the severity of the bruise or how long Teixeira will be out.
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Showing posts with label Mark Teixeira. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Teixeira. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mariano Rivera Has Another 'Uh-Oh' Moment; Yankees Beat Angels, 6-5
Today, under the brilliant blue skies over Yankee Stadium, hot-hitting Robinson Cano made the Los Angeles Angels pay dearly for an error by Macier Izturis, after the second baseman muffed an easy ground ball that should have ended the seventh inning. The goof led to the winning margin of a Yankees victory. The only grey cloud in sight, on this sunny day, was the one hovering Izturis' head the rest of the game.
With the score tied, 2-2, and two outs, Mark Teixeira squibbed a soft blooper towards second. Izturis bobbled, then dropped the ball after it hit him in the chest. Teixeira was safe at first and the Yankees had the bases loaded. Hot hitting Cano came to the plate and sent the next pitch from Scott Downs over the right field fence for the fifth grand slam of his career and a 6-2 Yankees lead.
The Yankees held on to win the game and the series, 2-1, from the Angels but the 6-5 victory didn't come without any trepidation about Mariano Rivera. The Yankees closer had another "blip" in the ninth inning after another fine start from starter Bartolo Colon.
Colon went six strong innings although he ended up with his second straight no-decision. The rotund righty continues to build on one of the great comeback stories in the major leagues this season.
The only slip-up in Colon's day was giving up a two-run to Alberto Callaspo in the fifth inning which gave the Angels a 2-0 lead. Fourteen of Colon's 18 outs came from strikeouts or infield outs. Colon finished the day going six innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out three.
The Yankees once again called on the smoking bat of Curtis Granderson. The Yankees centerfielder skied--and I mean sent into orbit-- his 32nd home run of the season off Angels starter, Tyler Chatwood. The homer knocked in Derek Jeter to tie the score. It was Granderson's fourth dinger in three games.
Everything looked good for the Yankees after Robinson's curtain call. That was until Rivera was called in to bail out an ineffective Cory Wade with one out in the ninth.
Rivera came in after Wade struck out Vernon Wells and allowed two hits which put two men on base. The Hall of Fame closer was coming off a blown save and a loss-- "a blip" as manager Joe Girardi calls them-- and a lot of hand-wringing by Yankees fans. Rivera only needed to get the final two outs.
Digging in at the plate was the Angels pinch-hitter Russell Branyan. Branyan-- who had eight home-runs in 47 at-bats at Yankee Stadium-- immediately sent Rivera's first pitch into the right field stands to close the score to 6-5.
Rivera did a half-snarl/half-grin as he watched the ball sail over his head and into the hushed crowd. Uh-oh. Could what was once called a blip, now be an epidemic many anxious fans were probably wondering. Things were getting interesting-- and too close.
Not to worry. The usually reliable Rivera got the next batter to ground out and the final out was a short fly to left which Brett Gardner gathered in as he crashed into the box-seat wall.
Game over and Rivera picks up his 30th save of the season for a record-extending 14th time.
It's been a long time since Yankees fans held their breath when Rivera was on the mound, if ever.
It was the ninth straight home series the Yankees have won and gave the Yankees a comfortable eight game lead over the Angels in the wild-card race.
Except for Wade, the bullpen was nearly perfect. Rafael Soriano continued to play like the 45-save closer the Yankees spent $35 million for. He handled the seventh inning handily but gave up his first hit in five appearances since coming off the DL on July 30.
Dave Robertson was perfect in the eighth.
After the game, Girardi was asked if he was worried about Rivera. The manager joked, "If it happened for a month."
Girardi continued to downplay the anxiety surrounding Rivera and believes hitters are just being more aggressive with Rivera so they don't fall behind.
"He's close to the perfect closer as we'll ever see," said the manager. "[But] He's not perfect"
Rivera said he wasn't concerned about his weapon of choice-- the cutter.
"I didn't lose velocity, " said the 41 year-old Rivera. "I put the ball where I want it, that's about it."
Asked if he sees any trend to his last three outings, Rivera shook his head.
"It's always only one pitch, stressed the closer. "It's one pitch, but it can't be like that."
With the score tied, 2-2, and two outs, Mark Teixeira squibbed a soft blooper towards second. Izturis bobbled, then dropped the ball after it hit him in the chest. Teixeira was safe at first and the Yankees had the bases loaded. Hot hitting Cano came to the plate and sent the next pitch from Scott Downs over the right field fence for the fifth grand slam of his career and a 6-2 Yankees lead.
The Yankees held on to win the game and the series, 2-1, from the Angels but the 6-5 victory didn't come without any trepidation about Mariano Rivera. The Yankees closer had another "blip" in the ninth inning after another fine start from starter Bartolo Colon.
Colon went six strong innings although he ended up with his second straight no-decision. The rotund righty continues to build on one of the great comeback stories in the major leagues this season.
The only slip-up in Colon's day was giving up a two-run to Alberto Callaspo in the fifth inning which gave the Angels a 2-0 lead. Fourteen of Colon's 18 outs came from strikeouts or infield outs. Colon finished the day going six innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out three.
The Yankees once again called on the smoking bat of Curtis Granderson. The Yankees centerfielder skied--and I mean sent into orbit-- his 32nd home run of the season off Angels starter, Tyler Chatwood. The homer knocked in Derek Jeter to tie the score. It was Granderson's fourth dinger in three games.
Everything looked good for the Yankees after Robinson's curtain call. That was until Rivera was called in to bail out an ineffective Cory Wade with one out in the ninth.
Rivera came in after Wade struck out Vernon Wells and allowed two hits which put two men on base. The Hall of Fame closer was coming off a blown save and a loss-- "a blip" as manager Joe Girardi calls them-- and a lot of hand-wringing by Yankees fans. Rivera only needed to get the final two outs.
Digging in at the plate was the Angels pinch-hitter Russell Branyan. Branyan-- who had eight home-runs in 47 at-bats at Yankee Stadium-- immediately sent Rivera's first pitch into the right field stands to close the score to 6-5.
Rivera did a half-snarl/half-grin as he watched the ball sail over his head and into the hushed crowd. Uh-oh. Could what was once called a blip, now be an epidemic many anxious fans were probably wondering. Things were getting interesting-- and too close.
Not to worry. The usually reliable Rivera got the next batter to ground out and the final out was a short fly to left which Brett Gardner gathered in as he crashed into the box-seat wall.
Game over and Rivera picks up his 30th save of the season for a record-extending 14th time.
It's been a long time since Yankees fans held their breath when Rivera was on the mound, if ever.
It was the ninth straight home series the Yankees have won and gave the Yankees a comfortable eight game lead over the Angels in the wild-card race.
Except for Wade, the bullpen was nearly perfect. Rafael Soriano continued to play like the 45-save closer the Yankees spent $35 million for. He handled the seventh inning handily but gave up his first hit in five appearances since coming off the DL on July 30.
Dave Robertson was perfect in the eighth.
After the game, Girardi was asked if he was worried about Rivera. The manager joked, "If it happened for a month."
Girardi continued to downplay the anxiety surrounding Rivera and believes hitters are just being more aggressive with Rivera so they don't fall behind.
"He's close to the perfect closer as we'll ever see," said the manager. "[But] He's not perfect"
Rivera said he wasn't concerned about his weapon of choice-- the cutter.
"I didn't lose velocity, " said the 41 year-old Rivera. "I put the ball where I want it, that's about it."
Asked if he sees any trend to his last three outings, Rivera shook his head.
"It's always only one pitch, stressed the closer. "It's one pitch, but it can't be like that."
Friday, July 1, 2011
Prince Fielder Leaves New York and Talk of Joining Yankees Goes Too
It happens every time a visiting super-star plays in Yankee Stadium. Fans wonder how the player would look in pinstripes. Prince Fielder was no exception this week when the Milwaukee Brewers came to the Bronx and were swept by the Yankees. It sounded like there was a size 50 jersey already hanging in the locker room for the end-of-season free agent.
Everyone looks at the powerful lefthanded-hitting Fielder and fantasizes about what his home-run totals would be if he was swinging for the short right-field seats at Yankee Stadium. Home run records would be shattered with no asterisks attached, agree the experts.
"Man, I'd hate to think how many he could hit in this sandbox," said a scout watching the first game. "Put Fielder in the line-up as a DH and they [the Yankees] might never lose."
Here's a reality check. Fielder finished the three-game series against the Yankees, in their "sandbox", 2-for-11 with no home-runs and a single RBI. The big leftie was last seen flailing at a CC Sabathia fastball.
Fielder has been a one man wrecking crew for the Brewers this season. The early-MVP candidate is batting .305 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI's. If Fielder becomes the National League MVP, he would be the first player to win the award in a walk year since Barry Bonds did it in 2001.
We're talking about a BIG payday.
The rumors of the Yankees trading for Fielder or snagging the first-baseman when he becomes he is a free-agent could be squashed by the Yankees on two fronts.
First, the Yankees already have a slugger at first in Mark Teixeira. Tex is also arguably the best fielding first baseman in the majors. The 30 year-old Teixeira leads the majors with 25 dingers so he's not going anywhere.
Secondly, there isn't even a place for platooning a $25 million(?) DH on the Yankees, not with Alex Rodriguez tied up for another six years and already showing signs of age in the field. A-Rod may be seeing more and more DH starting this season.
So the possibility of the 275-pound Fielder coming to New York is just psyche.
Make no mistake, the 27 year-old Fielder is going to get Yankee-size money, only not with the Brewers and probably not with the Yanks.
There is little chance a small-market team like Milwaukee could afford the big guy. It's the kind of dough that lured Sabathia from Milwaukee to New York.
Yankee fans can still dream. Imagine penciling these names in the middle of your line-up card: Curtis Granderson, Teixeira, A-Rod and Robinson Cano followed by Fielder batting sixth. That's 200 home-runs right there.
While all the sports-radio talk these days in New York centers around keeping up with the potent Boston Red Sox line-up; the Yankees are concentrating on pitching, namely a middle reliever. The team already hits home-runs by the truckload, scores runs and lead the Sox by 2 1/2 games. Another big bat is not a priority--not one in Fielder's new tax bracket.
Fielder's uncertain future doesn't seem to faze him too much. The Brewers lead the NL Central and he is in the midst of a playoff race. The two-time All-Star has is concentrating on his play and there no need to show his hand just yet.
"His numbers have been impressive," said Brewers GM Doug Melvin. "But I think the way he's been able to focus is even more impressive."
Fielder surely hasn't slammed the door on the Yankees and made it clear a DH role in the AL isn't out of the question.
"I'm not ruling anything out," said Fielder. "But as for right now, I like playing first base."
.
Everyone looks at the powerful lefthanded-hitting Fielder and fantasizes about what his home-run totals would be if he was swinging for the short right-field seats at Yankee Stadium. Home run records would be shattered with no asterisks attached, agree the experts.
Here's a reality check. Fielder finished the three-game series against the Yankees, in their "sandbox", 2-for-11 with no home-runs and a single RBI. The big leftie was last seen flailing at a CC Sabathia fastball.
Fielder has been a one man wrecking crew for the Brewers this season. The early-MVP candidate is batting .305 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI's. If Fielder becomes the National League MVP, he would be the first player to win the award in a walk year since Barry Bonds did it in 2001.
We're talking about a BIG payday.
The rumors of the Yankees trading for Fielder or snagging the first-baseman when he becomes he is a free-agent could be squashed by the Yankees on two fronts.
First, the Yankees already have a slugger at first in Mark Teixeira. Tex is also arguably the best fielding first baseman in the majors. The 30 year-old Teixeira leads the majors with 25 dingers so he's not going anywhere.
Secondly, there isn't even a place for platooning a $25 million(?) DH on the Yankees, not with Alex Rodriguez tied up for another six years and already showing signs of age in the field. A-Rod may be seeing more and more DH starting this season.
So the possibility of the 275-pound Fielder coming to New York is just psyche.
Make no mistake, the 27 year-old Fielder is going to get Yankee-size money, only not with the Brewers and probably not with the Yanks.
There is little chance a small-market team like Milwaukee could afford the big guy. It's the kind of dough that lured Sabathia from Milwaukee to New York.
Yankee fans can still dream. Imagine penciling these names in the middle of your line-up card: Curtis Granderson, Teixeira, A-Rod and Robinson Cano followed by Fielder batting sixth. That's 200 home-runs right there.
While all the sports-radio talk these days in New York centers around keeping up with the potent Boston Red Sox line-up; the Yankees are concentrating on pitching, namely a middle reliever. The team already hits home-runs by the truckload, scores runs and lead the Sox by 2 1/2 games. Another big bat is not a priority--not one in Fielder's new tax bracket.
Fielder's uncertain future doesn't seem to faze him too much. The Brewers lead the NL Central and he is in the midst of a playoff race. The two-time All-Star has is concentrating on his play and there no need to show his hand just yet.
"His numbers have been impressive," said Brewers GM Doug Melvin. "But I think the way he's been able to focus is even more impressive."
Fielder surely hasn't slammed the door on the Yankees and made it clear a DH role in the AL isn't out of the question.
"I'm not ruling anything out," said Fielder. "But as for right now, I like playing first base."
.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
A-Rod Helps CC Become Major's First 10-game Winner of Season
CC Sabathia, the New York Yankees big lefthander, pitched another stellar game and, in the process, became the major league's first 10-game winner this season. Sabathia (10-4) pitched eight dazzling innings in the Yankees 8-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Alex Rodriguez chipped in with a couple of singles and 3 RBI's. A-Rod also started a rally-killing double play in the 6th inning that was the only threat Colorado posed to CC all day.
Sabathia tortured the Colorado batters with a fastball consistently in the 96-97 mph range but it was his perfect slider which left the Rockies shaking their heads. Five of Sabathia's nine strikeouts were of the little burger's namesake.
The big guy also came through in the clutch. The befuddled Rockies hitters were 2-15 with runners on base. Sabathia finished the game allowing only one run, one walk and seven hits to go with the nine K's.
Sabathia has been consistent all season. After a couple of early-season no-decisions, the victory today gave the 2007 Cy Young winner his seventh win in his last eight starts. He is a sure bet to make the All-Star game.
The win also gives Sabathia his 50th victory in pinstripes in 85 starts. The leftie matches Chien-Ming Wang as the fastest Yankee pitcher to reach that total in thirty years.
Manager Joe Girardi couldn't stop singing the praise of his workhorse starter.
"CC has won 50 games in the 2 1/2 seasons he's been here," marveled the manager. "That's just in the regular season."
This year, Sabathia is continuing that trend. He has a 3.25 ERA with 93 strikeouts and has allowed 119 hits in 122 innings.
"CC's a great guy to be around," said Girardi. "He's the same guy every day. He works quick and teammates like to play behind a pitcher who is quick."
It's also no coincidence that, as the Yankees beat up on the National League during their current intra-league jag, A-Rod has been lighting up every ballpark since Wrigley. The aching third baseman is on a blazing hot streak and has 10 hits in his last five games while batting a sizzling .556 during that span. Currently, A-Rod is the only .300 hitter in the Yankees line-up.
A-Rod also reached base in the seventh on a missed communication between the Rockies' Chris Nelson and Eric Young in shallow right field.
When asked why he pulled Rodriguez in the eighth, Girardi claimed it wasn't for anything more serious than sore legs.
"A-Rod's a little beat-up," answered Girardi. "He's been sore since Chicago."
Sabathia also put an end to Troy Tulowitzki's New York City home-run streak. The Rockies shortstop hit four dingers against the Mets in Flushing last week before jacking one last night against the Yankees in the Bronx. He was the first visiting player to homer in five straight games since Ernie Banks.
Mark Teixeira chipped in with his 22nd home-run of the season in the eighth.
The Yankees are now 44-31 and could take over first place in the AL East if the Boston Red Sox lose tonight.
Alex Rodriguez chipped in with a couple of singles and 3 RBI's. A-Rod also started a rally-killing double play in the 6th inning that was the only threat Colorado posed to CC all day.
Sabathia tortured the Colorado batters with a fastball consistently in the 96-97 mph range but it was his perfect slider which left the Rockies shaking their heads. Five of Sabathia's nine strikeouts were of the little burger's namesake.
The big guy also came through in the clutch. The befuddled Rockies hitters were 2-15 with runners on base. Sabathia finished the game allowing only one run, one walk and seven hits to go with the nine K's.
Sabathia has been consistent all season. After a couple of early-season no-decisions, the victory today gave the 2007 Cy Young winner his seventh win in his last eight starts. He is a sure bet to make the All-Star game.
The win also gives Sabathia his 50th victory in pinstripes in 85 starts. The leftie matches Chien-Ming Wang as the fastest Yankee pitcher to reach that total in thirty years.
Manager Joe Girardi couldn't stop singing the praise of his workhorse starter.
"CC has won 50 games in the 2 1/2 seasons he's been here," marveled the manager. "That's just in the regular season."
This year, Sabathia is continuing that trend. He has a 3.25 ERA with 93 strikeouts and has allowed 119 hits in 122 innings.
"CC's a great guy to be around," said Girardi. "He's the same guy every day. He works quick and teammates like to play behind a pitcher who is quick."
It's also no coincidence that, as the Yankees beat up on the National League during their current intra-league jag, A-Rod has been lighting up every ballpark since Wrigley. The aching third baseman is on a blazing hot streak and has 10 hits in his last five games while batting a sizzling .556 during that span. Currently, A-Rod is the only .300 hitter in the Yankees line-up.
A-Rod also reached base in the seventh on a missed communication between the Rockies' Chris Nelson and Eric Young in shallow right field.
When asked why he pulled Rodriguez in the eighth, Girardi claimed it wasn't for anything more serious than sore legs.
"A-Rod's a little beat-up," answered Girardi. "He's been sore since Chicago."
Sabathia also put an end to Troy Tulowitzki's New York City home-run streak. The Rockies shortstop hit four dingers against the Mets in Flushing last week before jacking one last night against the Yankees in the Bronx. He was the first visiting player to homer in five straight games since Ernie Banks.
Mark Teixeira chipped in with his 22nd home-run of the season in the eighth.
The Yankees are now 44-31 and could take over first place in the AL East if the Boston Red Sox lose tonight.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Bartolo Colon Limps Off Field And It Means More Bad News For Yankees
Just a couple of days after the New York Yankees found out relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain would miss the rest of the season due to a damaged elbow; the team's second best starting pitcher, Bartolo Colon, limped off the slippery Yankee Stadium field with a "strained left hamstring" on Saturday afternoon.
Yankees GM Brain Cashman told the YES Network, after New York beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0, the injury to Colon "looks like a DL situation."
Since getting swept by division rivals the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees have literally taken one step forward and two steps back when it concerns their pitching staff.
The one step forward was Ivan Nova's gutsy win against the Indians last night. Nova needed a solid performance to save his spot in the Yankee rotation after being winless since May 17. His continued ineffectiveness would have meant possibly coming out of the bullpen to replace Chamberlain. Now it looks like he will be needed to fill Colon's big spot in the rotation.
The two steps backward are the injuries to Chamberlain and Colon--and they are of mammoth proportions.
Chamberlain had settled nicely into his role as set-up man after Rafael Soriano went out for up to eight weeks. He was having one of his finest seasons.
Now comes Colon's pulled hammy and it could really spell trouble for the Yankees.
The flawless Colon cruised through six innings in the drizzling rain against the Indians when he went to cover first base during Shin-Soo Choo's seventh-inning dribbler down the first base line. Colon's slipped or landed oddly on the damp turf and limped back to the mound. Manager Joe Girardi and team doctor Gene Monahan ran out and convinced the pitcher to exit and take his 2-hit, six strike-out gem to the showers.
Dave Robertson relieved Colon with one out in the seventh and continued to pull his Houdini act by giving up three hits then striking out the side in the eighth. Boone Logan mopped up the ninth.
Girardi wouldn't make any predictions on the possibility of putting Colon on the DL or the extent of the injury to his pitcher's "planting foot." "We won't know anything until tomorrow," he said. "We'll have to wait until he shows up tomorrow."
Colon has resurrected his career after under missing a year and a half of major league play. He had undergone a radical, but controversial, treatment in the Dominican Republic for his damaged right shoulder and elbow. This season, Colon is 5-3 and has become the number two starter on the Yankees rotation. He won his last three starts in dominating fashion. Extended time on the DL would be a real set back for New York.
When asked about Colon's performance so far this season, Alex Rodriguez said, "He [Colon] is off the charts. He is pitching like his Cy Young caliber season in 2005."
A-Rod-- who got Indians starter Mitch Talbot tossed out for plunking him in the sixth-- homered and then compared Colon to the Yankees # 1 ace CC Sabathia.
"He [Colon] has been consistently great all year," said Rodriguez. "He is pitching like 1-A."
If Colon does go on the 15-day DL, it could take longer for the portly pitcher to rehab than other players. He packs over 260 pounds on his short frame and was never known as the best physical specimen on any team.
It's too bad because it looked like Colon was headed for his second straight complete game victory and sensational comeback season.
Yankees GM Brain Cashman told the YES Network, after New York beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0, the injury to Colon "looks like a DL situation."
The one step forward was Ivan Nova's gutsy win against the Indians last night. Nova needed a solid performance to save his spot in the Yankee rotation after being winless since May 17. His continued ineffectiveness would have meant possibly coming out of the bullpen to replace Chamberlain. Now it looks like he will be needed to fill Colon's big spot in the rotation.
The two steps backward are the injuries to Chamberlain and Colon--and they are of mammoth proportions.
Chamberlain had settled nicely into his role as set-up man after Rafael Soriano went out for up to eight weeks. He was having one of his finest seasons.
Now comes Colon's pulled hammy and it could really spell trouble for the Yankees.
The flawless Colon cruised through six innings in the drizzling rain against the Indians when he went to cover first base during Shin-Soo Choo's seventh-inning dribbler down the first base line. Colon's slipped or landed oddly on the damp turf and limped back to the mound. Manager Joe Girardi and team doctor Gene Monahan ran out and convinced the pitcher to exit and take his 2-hit, six strike-out gem to the showers.
Dave Robertson relieved Colon with one out in the seventh and continued to pull his Houdini act by giving up three hits then striking out the side in the eighth. Boone Logan mopped up the ninth.
Girardi wouldn't make any predictions on the possibility of putting Colon on the DL or the extent of the injury to his pitcher's "planting foot." "We won't know anything until tomorrow," he said. "We'll have to wait until he shows up tomorrow."
Colon has resurrected his career after under missing a year and a half of major league play. He had undergone a radical, but controversial, treatment in the Dominican Republic for his damaged right shoulder and elbow. This season, Colon is 5-3 and has become the number two starter on the Yankees rotation. He won his last three starts in dominating fashion. Extended time on the DL would be a real set back for New York.
When asked about Colon's performance so far this season, Alex Rodriguez said, "He [Colon] is off the charts. He is pitching like his Cy Young caliber season in 2005."
A-Rod-- who got Indians starter Mitch Talbot tossed out for plunking him in the sixth-- homered and then compared Colon to the Yankees # 1 ace CC Sabathia.
"He [Colon] has been consistently great all year," said Rodriguez. "He is pitching like 1-A."
If Colon does go on the 15-day DL, it could take longer for the portly pitcher to rehab than other players. He packs over 260 pounds on his short frame and was never known as the best physical specimen on any team.
It's too bad because it looked like Colon was headed for his second straight complete game victory and sensational comeback season.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Yankees Could Put Six Position Players on 2011 All-Star Team
Alex Rodriguez leads a team of nine New York Yankees All-Star hopefuls listed on the American League All-Star ballot released today. The way things look right now, six Yankees position players alone could be playing in the July 12 classic--maybe even seven.
A-Rod will be looking to be elected to his 14th All-Star game. He is one of the league leaders in batting and RBI's with 17 and having one of his best starts ever.
Shortstop Derek Jeter, while showing signs of inconsistency this year, is always a perennial fan favorite and will be looking to make his fifth straight appearance and 12th all-time. Even the one year Jeter wasn't there, other players said it didn't feel just right without The Captain. Could it be his last?
The Yankees have been sending the ball over the fence at an unbelievable rate and all those home-runs could lead to All-Star turns for their sluggers.
Surprisingly, centerfielder Curtis Granderson is tied for the league lead in home-runs with seven and is looking to make his second All-Star slot. His first and last was for the Detroit Tigers in 2009.
Another wonder has been catcher Russell Martin. The off-season pick-up, with the rehabbed hip, is lighting up pitchers with a .328 average, six homers and 16 RBI's so far this season. His OBP is one of the best in the league. Martin was a two-time National League All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira round out the six Pinstripers who could be showing up at Chase Field in Phoenix for baseball's big showcase.
Cano, one of the best all-round players in the majors is batting .314 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's. It would be the second-baseman's third appearance.
Teixeira, battling his usual m.o., started the season fast then slumped badly. Over the past week, the first-baseman has picked up steam and seems to be back on track. He has six home-runs and 16 RBI's already this year. His last All-star appearance was in 2009.
The Yankees could bring their own Home-Run Derby to the 82nd All-Star Game. Five players--A-Rod, Cano, Teixeira, Martin and Granderson have 28 home-runs between them. If you throw in Jorge Posada, who is on the ballot for the first time as a DH after five All-Star games as a catcher, you have a major-league leading line-up boasting 34 dingers between those six players.
Shortstop Derek Jeter, while showing signs of inconsistency this year, is always a perennial fan favorite and will be looking to make his fifth straight appearance and 12th all-time. Even the one year Jeter wasn't there, other players said it didn't feel just right without The Captain. Could it be his last?
The Yankees have been sending the ball over the fence at an unbelievable rate and all those home-runs could lead to All-Star turns for their sluggers.
Another wonder has been catcher Russell Martin. The off-season pick-up, with the rehabbed hip, is lighting up pitchers with a .328 average, six homers and 16 RBI's so far this season. His OBP is one of the best in the league. Martin was a two-time National League All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira round out the six Pinstripers who could be showing up at Chase Field in Phoenix for baseball's big showcase.
Cano, one of the best all-round players in the majors is batting .314 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's. It would be the second-baseman's third appearance.
Teixeira, battling his usual m.o., started the season fast then slumped badly. Over the past week, the first-baseman has picked up steam and seems to be back on track. He has six home-runs and 16 RBI's already this year. His last All-star appearance was in 2009.
The Yankees could bring their own Home-Run Derby to the 82nd All-Star Game. Five players--A-Rod, Cano, Teixeira, Martin and Granderson have 28 home-runs between them. If you throw in Jorge Posada, who is on the ballot for the first time as a DH after five All-Star games as a catcher, you have a major-league leading line-up boasting 34 dingers between those six players.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
N.Y. Yankees Digging the Long Ball and Not Much Else
The New York Yankees are tied for the league lead in home runs with 18 but still look anemic at the plate. A .236 team average is something the team is not used to--even if it is only nine games into the season--and seems worse when you realize four regular starters are well below the Mendoza Line with two others barely above it.
The Yankees No. 4 and No. 5 hitters, Robinson Cano (.324) and Alex Rodriguez (.321), are batting at least 115 points over the leadoff and No. 2 spots--Brett Gardner (.167) and Derek Jeter (.206).
Out of the Yankees 70 total hits this season, 18 have gone over the fence. They are on pace for a record 324 jacks and only 1260 hits.
Hot starts by Jorge Posada, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira are faded memories. The sliding threesome went 0-for-9 with 8 strikeouts against Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. They have combined for nine home-runs but, with an average of .182, Teixeira is the stud of that bunch. Take away the homers and those three are a combined 6-of-81.
Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long hasn't heard the Steinbrenner alarm yet--thanks to the awful start by the Red Sox and he puts on a happy face when asked about the slumping players.
"I've felt good about our offense thus far and I still do," Long said after the Sox ace struck out ten Yankees on Sunday. "This isn't any time to hit the panic button just because Josh Beckett came out and threw the ball really well."
True. But how does he justify the lack of hits against pitchers who didn't throw the ball as well as Beckett so far this year?
It seems unlikely that Jeter or Gardner won't pick it up at the top of the order or that Mark Teixeira won't be rattled from his annual April swoon. And there's no way that the DH Posada or outfielder Granderson will still be batting .138 and .172, respectively, at the end of the season, but there has to be concern--even with a 5-4 record.
If anything the Yankee hits have been timely. They were sixth in runs scored (50).
Manager Joe Girardi knows nine games do not make a season. "You can't make too much of a few at-bats," he said. "You can't just do it because early in the season you're going to see guys have ups and downs. You're going to see it, and then as they start getting more at-bats under their belts, they start to get more consistent."
The Yankees may be hiding their lack of hits behind their home-run onslaught. Everyone knows chicks really dig the long-ball, but I don't think hitting coaches do.
The Yankees No. 4 and No. 5 hitters, Robinson Cano (.324) and Alex Rodriguez (.321), are batting at least 115 points over the leadoff and No. 2 spots--Brett Gardner (.167) and Derek Jeter (.206).
Out of the Yankees 70 total hits this season, 18 have gone over the fence. They are on pace for a record 324 jacks and only 1260 hits.
Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long hasn't heard the Steinbrenner alarm yet--thanks to the awful start by the Red Sox and he puts on a happy face when asked about the slumping players.
"I've felt good about our offense thus far and I still do," Long said after the Sox ace struck out ten Yankees on Sunday. "This isn't any time to hit the panic button just because Josh Beckett came out and threw the ball really well."
True. But how does he justify the lack of hits against pitchers who didn't throw the ball as well as Beckett so far this year?
It seems unlikely that Jeter or Gardner won't pick it up at the top of the order or that Mark Teixeira won't be rattled from his annual April swoon. And there's no way that the DH Posada or outfielder Granderson will still be batting .138 and .172, respectively, at the end of the season, but there has to be concern--even with a 5-4 record.
If anything the Yankee hits have been timely. They were sixth in runs scored (50).
Manager Joe Girardi knows nine games do not make a season. "You can't make too much of a few at-bats," he said. "You can't just do it because early in the season you're going to see guys have ups and downs. You're going to see it, and then as they start getting more at-bats under their belts, they start to get more consistent."
The Yankees may be hiding their lack of hits behind their home-run onslaught. Everyone knows chicks really dig the long-ball, but I don't think hitting coaches do.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Yankees Teixeira Deals With April's 'Funky Stats' Again
If New York Yankees Mark Teixeira is 0-for-18, it must be April. Never mind showers that bring flowers, it's usually his April slumps that bring a little power every spring.
Teixeira, notorious for his slow spring starts, may have been fooled by the season's early start date and stormed out of the gate. He batted .333 with 4 home-runs in his first five games leading fans to believe the first-baseman had conquered the spate of early-season struggles which have dogged Teixeira throughout his career.
The surprisingly great start had a reality check and now a dreadful 0-for-18 slump leaves Teixeira batting .182 in the third spot. The slide was highlighted by a hitless weekend against the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees dropped 2-of-3 against their division rivals culminating with Josh Beckett's 2-hit gem on Sunday night.
Teixeira, who turns 31 today, had a blistering start to the season. He hit four home-runs with 10 RBI's during that span. He now has six hits and 10 strikeouts in 33 at-bats.
The top of the Yankee order is, so far, pretty bland and can't be helping Teixeira much. Leadoff batter Brett Gardner is hitting .167 followed by Derek Jeter and his piddling .206 average. The healthy stats of the No. 4 and 5 batters, Alex Rodriguez (who sat out last night's game) and Robinson Cano, make Tex less of a concern to opposing pitchers than the hitters who follow him. Teixeira has become the cheese on a white-bread and multi-grain sandwich.
"They pitched me really tough this weekend," Teixeira said last night. "Any ball I hit hard got caught. They pitched me tough. [Today's] day off will be nice to just regroup and get back to work on Tuesday."
Teixeira doesn't have to feel relatively bad about last night's three-strikeout performance. Beckett made the rest of the Yankees team look just as small. The rejuvenated Boston right-hander mowed down 10 pinstripers on strikeouts and looked like the Beckett of old.
For the weekend, Tex was 0-for-12 with six strikeouts. When last seen he was arguing a strikeout call against Jonathan Papelbon.
"He [Beckett] was really good tonight," said Teixeira. "Some nights you beat yourself up and some nights you tip your cap and this was one of those nights."
It looks like the Yankees will have to just wait until May for Teixeira to get his groove back. While the four-time Gold Glove winner earns his keep in the field, Teixeira says he doesn't put too much emphasis on early-season swoons and batting stats.
"If I did, I would have retired years ago," he said. "The first nine games you're going to have some funky stats. You're going to have guys that you say that this guy is going to be the next MVP and he's sent down a month later. You're going to have guys that are hitting .050 and then he wins the MVP. It's a such a small part of the season."
Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, seems to take Teixeira's .232 career April average in stride.
"He's just missing balls a little bit, that's all," the manager said. " And you're seeing good pitching out there."
Teixeira may be sugar-coating his frustration. While the Red Sox were celebrating their win, after Teixeira's final swing, he followed the umpire to dispute the call.
"You guys saw it," Teixeira said. " I'm not allowed to say anything. I didn't yell at him. It is what it is. He said he might have missed it. I wasn't going to hit a grand slam with no one on. I might have gone nuts, but we didn't get the job done."
"It's raining, it's cold. You can't get a rhythm sometimes," said Teixeira. I'd love to be able to hit .300 from day one...that's the way baseball is."
Funky.
Teixeira, notorious for his slow spring starts, may have been fooled by the season's early start date and stormed out of the gate. He batted .333 with 4 home-runs in his first five games leading fans to believe the first-baseman had conquered the spate of early-season struggles which have dogged Teixeira throughout his career.
Teixeira, who turns 31 today, had a blistering start to the season. He hit four home-runs with 10 RBI's during that span. He now has six hits and 10 strikeouts in 33 at-bats.
The top of the Yankee order is, so far, pretty bland and can't be helping Teixeira much. Leadoff batter Brett Gardner is hitting .167 followed by Derek Jeter and his piddling .206 average. The healthy stats of the No. 4 and 5 batters, Alex Rodriguez (who sat out last night's game) and Robinson Cano, make Tex less of a concern to opposing pitchers than the hitters who follow him. Teixeira has become the cheese on a white-bread and multi-grain sandwich.
"They pitched me really tough this weekend," Teixeira said last night. "Any ball I hit hard got caught. They pitched me tough. [Today's] day off will be nice to just regroup and get back to work on Tuesday."
Teixeira doesn't have to feel relatively bad about last night's three-strikeout performance. Beckett made the rest of the Yankees team look just as small. The rejuvenated Boston right-hander mowed down 10 pinstripers on strikeouts and looked like the Beckett of old.
For the weekend, Tex was 0-for-12 with six strikeouts. When last seen he was arguing a strikeout call against Jonathan Papelbon.
"He [Beckett] was really good tonight," said Teixeira. "Some nights you beat yourself up and some nights you tip your cap and this was one of those nights."
It looks like the Yankees will have to just wait until May for Teixeira to get his groove back. While the four-time Gold Glove winner earns his keep in the field, Teixeira says he doesn't put too much emphasis on early-season swoons and batting stats.
"If I did, I would have retired years ago," he said. "The first nine games you're going to have some funky stats. You're going to have guys that you say that this guy is going to be the next MVP and he's sent down a month later. You're going to have guys that are hitting .050 and then he wins the MVP. It's a such a small part of the season."
Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, seems to take Teixeira's .232 career April average in stride.
"He's just missing balls a little bit, that's all," the manager said. " And you're seeing good pitching out there."
Teixeira may be sugar-coating his frustration. While the Red Sox were celebrating their win, after Teixeira's final swing, he followed the umpire to dispute the call.
"You guys saw it," Teixeira said. " I'm not allowed to say anything. I didn't yell at him. It is what it is. He said he might have missed it. I wasn't going to hit a grand slam with no one on. I might have gone nuts, but we didn't get the job done."
"It's raining, it's cold. You can't get a rhythm sometimes," said Teixeira. I'd love to be able to hit .300 from day one...that's the way baseball is."
Funky.
