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It’s back! The analysts are once more debating whether or not Joba should start after another bold statement by Hank Steinbrenner saying that Chamberlain should be in the rotation right now. Here is part of his statement, an entertaining read as usual:

“I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now, there is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”

Now it is understandable why little George is upset due to the lackluster 10-10 start. It may not be the greatest beginning to a season, but compared to last year we are doing much better. Also, since Joba is a young pitcher, keeping his pitch count low is important in order to reduce the risk of burnout later in his career.

General Manager Brain Cashman responded to the Joba questions today stating that he will be staying in the bullpen for now. They have a set plan for him and they want to stick to it. Tip of the hat to Cashman for thinking wisely and for the future.

Kyle Farnsworth has been fined and suspended for three games for throwing the ball at Manny Ramirez’s back in last Thursday’s game. Now this is just ridiculous, especially considering that it didn’t even hit Manny. Farnsworth and the team was shocked when they heard the news and an appeal request has been placed. Farnworth said it was simply a mistake and that the ball slipped. We all know that he doesn’t have the best control over his pitches, so it certainly might’ve been a mistake. Ramirez believes that it was just retaliation for David Aardsma’s pitch that hit A. Rod. Manny said that he understands if it was intentional and he isn’t angry about it because Farnsworth was backing up his teammate.

Phil Hughes started against the Red Sox tonight, in the last game of the series. He struggled early on and ended up staying in for only 2 innings. His ERA is now 9.00 on the season after allowing seven runs last night. He did strike out three, so he wasn’t bad on all of his pitches. It was a really crazy game for both sides. Dice K stumbled as well, allowing four runs and walking six in 5 innings. He has huge control issues yesterday. The only people that had good days were some of the relievers (on both sides.)

Ross Ohlendorf came in after Hughes and pitched 3 innings, followed by LaTroy Hawkins who pitched 2 and Farnsworth who closed. They only allowed one run and five hits total. The big story of the night for the Yanks was that Jose Molina got injured. Jorge Posada had to come in despite being told he couldn’t play. The injury bug really seems to have hit early this year for the Bombers.

With this game the Yankees drop to 6-7, but it isn’t too bad even though it may seem like it. We are still within 1.5 games of the division leader (currently the Orioles!) and it is still April. Also, the Yankees have seen similar starts in the past few years and we’ve still made it to the postseason every year. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new series, against the Rays. Game-time is 7:10 EST and it will be aired on YES. Ian Kennedy is starting for the Yanks and Andy Sonnanstine for the Rays.

Chien-Ming Wang proved his doubters wrong today as he lead the Yankees to a win against the Red Sox today, 4 to 1. Wang ended up pitching the complete game and allowed only 2 hits and 1 run in the process. He would have got the shutout as well, but Bobby Abreu missed catching a homer by J.D. Drew by a hair in the bottom of the 5th. Wang had great control over the ball and proved that he could pitch well at Fenway.

I think today’s game is a prime example of why Chien-Ming Wang is the ace of this staff. Some people argue that the Yankees don’t have one, but I beg to differ. He ended with 19 wins last year, and already has 3 in his first 3 starts this year. He is able to pitch long innings and usually has good command of the ball. He definetely has the stuff to lead a team and I believe that he will end around 20 wins again this year.

On the offensive side of the ball things are still a bit sluggish. They managed to get 10 hits, but only scored 4 runs. Jason Giambi finally did something on offense with a home run in the 7th. He still has a .095 batting average thus far, but maybe today’s homer will give him some momentum. Jorge Posada dhed again today, still recovering from his sore shoulder. Molina is doing a good job, so there isn’t much to worry about, but if Posada continues to dh, that could mean less at-bats for Damon.

Next game is against the BoSox again at 3:55 EST tomorrow. Game will be broadcasted on FOX as Mike Mussina takes on Josh Beckett.

The Yankees beat the Rays today, ending the 4 game series with 2 wins and 2 losses. Mike Mussina started and had a wonderful day, pitching 6 innings and allowing only 2 hits/1 run. With this win Moose tied Bob Gibson on the all time wins list. He used a variety of pitches and was able to get some nice outs. Reliving Mussina were Brian Bruney and Kyle Farnsworth. Both pitched an inning of hitless ball before making way for LaTroy Hawkins, who would close. Hawkins allowed one hit, but ended the ninth without giving up any runs. He left with the W.

On the other side of the ball things finally seem to be picking up. The Yankees scored 6 runs today and combined for a total of 11 hits. Bobby Abreu had a great night, going 3 for 3 including a home run off of Jason Hammel.

The biggest news of the day was probably Derek Jeter (although Mussina’s day was big too.) Jeter left before the third inning after feeling something in his leg. It had been bothering him last Sunday, so he didn’t want to take any chances last night. An MRI later revealed that it was a minor strain, meaning Jeter won’t be placed of the DL, although he may miss a few days. And with that the ‘A Rod to shortstop?’ question began…

It is possible since we now have Ensberg, who used to play 3rd base for the Astros. If it happens it probably won’t be a big deal (atleast to me), since Jeter should be returning in a week or two.

The Yankees will head out to Kansas to play the Royals next. The game is at 4:10 EST tomorrow and it will be aired on YES. We will get to see Phil Hughes start again, this time against Brian Bannister.

The Yankees got their first win against the Rays this season, in a 2-0 shutout. The offense is still struggling, but the defense looked stellar today. Chien-Ming Wang started and had an excellent day, getting 6 Ks and only allowing 4 hits in over 6 innings pitched. He left with the win as his record improves to 2-0. Joba Chamberlain came in to relieve and pitched two innings of hitless ball, with one strikeout. Rivera closed, pitching a hitless ninth as he recorded his third save of the year. So far this year both Joba and Mariano Rivera have been stellar. The rest of the defense looked great too, particularly in the seventh when Robinson Cano and Joba worked together to get the team out of a jam.

On the other side of the ball it was the same as it has been so far this year. The Yankees were able to get nine hits, but only capitalized once, during a two run shot by Matsui.

Girardi was back for this game and was pleased with the outcome. Tomorrow is the last of a four-game series against the Rays. The game will be at 7:05pm EST and will be aired on both ESPN2 and YES. Moose will take the mound for the Yanks, as Jason Hammel starts for the Rays.

Today was Andy Pettitte’s first start after the rough offseason, but it didn’t go as planned. The Yankees dropped another game to the Rays in a 6-3 loss. Pettitte pitched for 5 innings, allowing 8 hits and 5 runs. He was applauded by Yankee fans as he entered the stadium and he felt remorse afterwards for not being able to give a solid performance. I would just like to say, that we aren’t disappointed, it happens to everyone. Despite the bad day, Pettitte was still happy to be playing ball again. Here is a quick post-game quote: “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it was great and (I’m) much appreciative.”

Pettitte should be back to his normal self soon enough, but our offense really needs to start stepping it up as well. We ended with nine hits and only three runs off the Rays. It has been five games and we still haven’t scored more than three runs a game. Hopefully they will be able to pick it up soon and give our hurlers some more run support.

Just a side note on the game: Joe Girardi was not there for the second day today due to an upper respiratory infection. He later said that he hopes to be back for tomorrow’s game when the Yanks take on the Rays again. The game is at 1:05 EST and will be on YES. Chien-Ming Wang will take on James Shields.

Oh yea, and Giambi is injured again. He is day-to-day after leaving in the 5th with a sore left groin. Who didn’t expect it?

Well the cuts have been made and the players have been picked. Here is the starting roster for the 2008 New York Yankees:

Lineup
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF

Bench
Jose Molina C
Shelley Duncan 1B-RF-LF
Morgan Ensberg 1B-3B
Wilson Betemit 1B-2B-3B-SS

Starters
RHP Chien-Ming Wang
RHP Mike Mussina
RHP Phil Hughes
RHP Ian Kennedy

Relievers
RHP Mariano Rivera
RHP Joba Chamberlain
RHP LaTroy Hawkins
RHP Kyle Farnsworth
LHP Billy Traber
RHP Ross Ohlendorf
RHP Brian Bruney
RHP Jon Albaladejo

Where is Andy Pettitte you ask? He is on the 15-day disabled list along with Jeff Karstens and Sean Henn. On the 60-day DL are Carl Pavano, Andrew Brackman, and Humberto Sanchez.

Chien-Ming Wang started in a 4-0 lost to the Phillies today. He pitched for 5 innings, allowing 6 hits and striking out 2. The Phillies scored all four of their runs in the second against Wang. Wang’s pitching was still solid and part of those runs was not his fault. Everyone just seems ready to start the regular season at this point.

Phillies’ Brett Myers had a good day today, allowing only 2 hits in 5 innings. The Yankees left with four hits, two by Robinson Cano.

Next up are the Pirates, at 1:15 EST tomorrow (the game will be televised on YES.)

Quick update on Andy Pettitte: Pettitte successfully threw a bullpen session today and felt fine. He should be starting in a minor league game come Saturday, so long as his back holds up. As for the regular season he will probably be able to make his 3rd or 4th scheduled start.

It was a pretty quiet game against the Rays today, with only 2 runs by the Yankees and only 1 by Tampa. Darrell Rasner started for the Yanks and aloud no runs and only two hits in four innings. He is looking for a long relief spot on the roster and today’s performance should give him a boost. Rivera pitched an inning today as well, giving up one hit. Jose Veras left with the save for the Yankees. Yea, there really isn’t much to say about the game.

In other news, Morgan Ensberg got a 40-man roster spot today. This doesn’t necessarily mean that he will make the team, but it gives him a better shot. It also means that he will get the $1.75 million. Ensberg is one of the options at first base that Cashman has added for this upcoming season and he certainly has the potential to be useful. He is a good hitter and he can play first base as well. Ensberg took Carl Pavano’s spot on the roster, after Pavano was added to the 60-day DL.

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