Charge the Mound…

New York.  March 25, 2007.  With injuries to Chien-Ming Wang (RHP), who is now on te 15-day disabled list (DL), and Jeff Karstens (RHP), with a still unknown elbow problem, the pitchers on the Yankees’ 25-man roster for their home opener is in doubt.  Clearly, Wang will be on the DL on April 2nd, and Pavano and Igawa will take over as the number three and four starter (with Pavano possibly getting the ball for the first game).

So, how will this all play out?  (See below.)  It looks to me that Darrell Rasner (RHP), who has been very good this spring, will step into the fifth starter role.  The Yankees will probably still take 12 pitchers up north with them.  Henn and Villone will still probably vie for that second lefthanded role and, pending Karsten’s injury, Bruney could find himself in a significant bullpen role to start this year.

(as of March 25, 2007) 

Hitters

Going North:  Jorge Posada (C); Robinson Cano (2B); Derek Jeter (SS); Doug Mientkiewicz (1B); Alex Rodriguez (3B); Jason Giambi (DH/1B); Bobby Abreu (RF); Johnny Damon (CF); Hideki Matsui (LF); Melky Cabrera (OF); Miguel Cairo (U).

Likely: Josh Phelps (1B); Wil Nieves (C).

On the Bubble:  Andy Phillips (1B); Kevin Reese (OF); Kevin Thompson (OF); Ben Davis (C); Todd Pratt (C); Chris Basak (SS).

Cut:  Ramiro Pena (SS); Marcos Vechionacci (3B); Francisco Cervelli (C); P.J. Pilittere (C); Omir Santos (C); Juan Miranda (1B); Alberto Gonzalez (SS); Brett Gardner (OF); Jose Tabata (OF); Eric Duncan (1B); Raul Chavez (C); Angel Chavez (SS); Andy Cannizaro (SS); Bronson Sardinha (OF).

Pitchers

Starting:  Carl Pavano (RHP); Andy Pettitte (LHP); Kei Igawa (LHP); Mike Mussina (RHP).

Relievers:  Mariano Rivera (RHP); Scott Proctor (RHP); Kyle Farnsworth (RHP); Mike Myers (LHP); Luis Vizcaino (RHP); Brian Bruney (RHP);.

On the Bubble:  Jeff Karstens (RHP); Ron Villone (LHP); T.J. Beam (RHP); Chris Britton (RHP); Sean Henn (LHP); Darrell Rasner (RHP); Colter Bean (RHP); Humberto Sanchez (RHP).

Disabled List:  Chien-Ming Wang (RHP); Jose Veras (RHP).

Cut:  Steven Jackson (RHP); Steven White (RHP); Kevin Whelan (RHP); Jeff Kennard (RHP); Philip Hughes (RHP) Ross Ohlendorf (RHP); Matt DeSalvo (RHP); Chase Wright (LHP); Tyler Clippard (RHP); Ben Kozlowski (LHP).

New York.  March 18, 2007.  Getting ready for Yankees’ baseball?  I sure am.  In fact, I’ve even disected the Yankees spring training roster to give you all an update.  The names below include the obvious, the minor-league bound and basically everyone else that played this pre-season in pinstripes.

Based on my analysis, there are four roster spots open and the following players are vying for the same – (i) Phillips and Phelps for the platoon first base job, (ii) Chavez, Pratt and Nieves to back up Jorge Posada, (iii) Bruney, Karstens (who has been very impressive this spring) and Rasner as the “extra” (or long) reliever and (iv) Villone and Henn for the second lefty reliever spot.  Obviously, Mr. Torre could opt to start the season with only one left-handed reliever (I doubt this) or no long reliever (since there are three days off early in the season).  Other than that, it looks like the Yankees will settle with 12 pitchers (the current five starters, Mariano and six other relievers) and 13 hitters (two catchers, three at first, four other infielders and four in the outfield).  See you on April 2nd — or earlier…

(as of March 18, 2007) 

Hitters

Going North:  Jorge Posada (C); Robinson Cano (2B); Derek Jeter (SS); Doug Mientkiewicz (1B); Alex Rodriguez (3B); Jason Giambi (DH/1B); Bobby Abreu (RF); Johnny Damon (CF); Hideki Matsui (LF); Melky Cabrera (OF); Miguel Cairo (U).

Likely: Josh Phelps (1B); Wil Nieves (C).

On the Bubble:  Raul Chavez (C); Andy Phillips (1B); Kevin Reese (OF); Bronson Sardinha (OF); Kevin Thompson (OF); Ben Davis (C); Todd Pratt (C); Angel Chavez (SS); Chris Basak (SS); Andy Cannizaro (SS).

Cut:  Ramiro Pena (SS); Marcos Vechionacci (3B); Francisco Cervelli (C); P.J. Pilittere (C); Omir Santos (C); Juan Miranda (1B); Alberto Gonzalez (SS); Brett Gardner (OF); Jose Tabata (OF); Eric Duncan (1B).

Pitchers

Starting: Chien-Ming Wang (RHP); Carl Pavano (RHP); Andy Pettitte (LHP); Kei Igawa (LHP); Mike Mussina (RHP).

Relievers:  Mariano Rivera (RHP); Scott Proctor (RHP); Kyle Farnsworth (RHP); Mike Myers (LHP); Luis Vizcaino (RHP); Brian Bruney (RHP); Jeff Karstens (RHP).

On the Bubble:  Ron Villone (LHP); T.J. Beam (RHP); Chris Britton (RHP); Sean Henn (LHP); Darrell Rasner (RHP); Colter Bean (RHP); Humberto Sanchez (RHP); Jose Veras (RHP); Ben Kozlowski (LHP).

Cut:  Steven Jackson (RHP); Steven White (RHP); Kevin Whelan (RHP); Jeff Kennard (RHP); Philip Hughes (RHP) Ross Ohlendorf (RHP); Matt DeSalvo (RHP); Chase Wright (LHP); Tyler Clippard (RHP).