Andy Pettitte might have a problem with his back, thus causing him to possibly miss his first start of the regular season.Pettitte has been sidelined since Thursday with what he says is stiffness in his back. He last pitched on March 17th, where he threw 65 pitches in 3 1/3 innings. At the time, Pettitte was dealing with an elbow issue, but reported no pain after his outing. Now, the back spasms he is expirencing has set him back a few days, something that should cause Joe Girardi and the Yanks some concern. Although, Girardi did downplay his concern."I don't think it's a big deal," he said.Andy skipped his start on Saturday because of the spasms. If he can play catch today and have a pain-free bullpen session tomorrow, then he is in line for...

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Tags: Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Joe Girardi, Spring Training, Yankees

Over at Peter Abraham's LoHud Yankees Blog) he takes a look at the Yankees bench. With the addition of Ensberg Friday night to the 40-man roster, the bench is pretty much set.Heres a look at the bench that manager Joe Girardi will have at his disposal:Jose Molina (C)Shelley Duncan (RF, 1B)Wilson Betemit (1B,2B,SS,3B)Morgan Ensberg (1B,2B,3B)Not too bad, but Abraham also notes that their isn't much speed or defense on the bench. I agree with Peter on that notion. I believe the bench was set up this season so Girardi has more of a "B" lineup than a bunch of "fill-ins". Sure these guys are not the best guys to have come off the bench but the Yanks' have had worse. With Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, and Hideki Matsui sharing the duties in center...

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Tags: Baseball, Joe Girardi, Melky Cabrera, Morgan Ensberg, Shelly Duncan, Spring Training, Yankees

The Yankees have added Morgan Ensberg a href="http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/blog/2008/03/ensberg_added_to_40man.html">to their 40-man roster. Ensberg is out of minor league options which means he will more than likely start the season in the Bronx.In order to make room on the 40-man roster, Carl Pavano was placed on the 60-day DL for the fourth consecutive year (is that a record?) Ensberg also plans on changed his uniform number. He is currently wearing No. 21, Paul O'Neill's old number. Since O'Neill is a hug fan favorite and since his number has NOT been distributed to anyone since his retirement after the 2001 season, the decision to hand out No. 21 has caused a stir."I can't wear Paul O'Neill's number," Ensberg said.He...

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Tags: Baseball, Morgan Ensberg, Paul O'Neill, Spring Training, Yankees

The Yankees announced Friday that Chien Ming Wang will be their Opening Day starter. The Yankees are entering their final season at the current Yankee Stadium and Wang will be the last Opening Day starter in the historic ballpark."I'm very happy," Wang said. "This is my first time on Opening Day. For me, it's big. I'm very excited"....."It shows that the coaches trust me. I still have a lot to learn.""He's earned it," Joe Girardi said. "He's won 19 games the last couple of years and he's thrown the ball well the last couple of years. I'm comfortable starting him Opening Day."Wang, the current Yankees ace faces questions concerning being a legit ace. He performed poorly in his two postseason starts last year against Cleveland, but the Yankees...

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Tags: Baseball, Chien Ming Wang, Joe Girardi, Spring Training, Yankees

In less than 24 hours the world got to see how different the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are. The season hasn't started yet and already the comparisons and fire that go along with this rivilary are brought to light.Yesterday the Yankees played a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at English Field on their campus thanks to a prmoise made by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner last year. A year after a gunman killed 32 people, wounded 23 others, and then killed himself on Virginia Tech's campus. Steinbrenner donated $1 million to the school and promised that the Yanks would go down and play a spring training game agaist the school's baseball team. The Yankees fulfilled thier promise. Although the Yanks won 11-0, the bigger story was...

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Tags: Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Mets, Spring Training, Yankees

Yesterday at Legends Field, the Yankees and Indians faced off. The starting pitchers were Chien-Ming Wang against C.C. Sabathia respectively, a rematch of Game 1 of last year's Divison Series. Just another Spring Training game to most but to the Yankees and their front office, it was an up close look at a potential ace that could be in pinstripes in 2009 .It's a subject thats sure to be brought up multiple times over the course of the season. That's because Sabathia is a free agent at year's end and will not have any discussions over a new contract during the season. He has already turned down a four-year $68 million dollar contract extentsion from Cleveland. Sabathia for the time being has his sights set on the upcoming season."I'm just thinking...

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Tags: Andy Pettitte, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, Ian Kennedy, j, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Spring Training, Yankees

It didn't take Joe Girardi long to put his stamp on the Yankees. A mere three weeks into Spring Training and we already see in a difference in the Bronx Bombers. With the exception of a few players, this is basically the same team that Joe Torre managed in his last game as Yankee manager last October. Yet, we there seems to be a world of a difference this spring.I'm sure most of you have seen the recent developments between the Yanks and the Tampa Bay Rays. Last weekend saw Tampa Bay's Elliot Johnson run over Yankee catching prospect Francisco Cervelli, thus breaking his right hand. Wednesday the Yanks' Shelly Duncan went into second baseman Aki Iwamura with an aggressive slide, which led to a bench clearing brawl. As a result Duncan along...

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Tags: Baseball, Franciso Cervelli, Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Melky Cabrera, Shelly Duncan, Spring Training, Yankees

Looking around the 'net and watching tv these days, one topic that seems to cause a stir are predictions. Our own J Platt reported on John Kruk's bold prediction of the Mets finishing third. So I thought I'd throw my two cents in as well. Here's how I view the NL East finishing up:1- Phillies : Still the team to beat. You have to like Rollins and Howard leading a team that steamrolled their way into the postseason down the stretch last year. A year later, more confident and more expirenced.2- Mets : Too many questions regarding the bullpen and injuries. If they can stay healthy, then the Mets will be very tough to beat, even with an "old" Pedro.3- Braves : Gotta like the rotation even if it has question marks (Glavine,Hampton). How well those...

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Tags: Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Basketball, Isiah Thomas, Jason Kidd, Knicks, Mariano Rivera, Mets, Nets, QUITE FRANKLY, Roger Clemens, Stephon Marbury, Yankees

In his first action of the spring Mariano Rivera still seemed to have some juice left in his arm. He came into yesterday's spring training game in the 4th inning and dominated, throwing eight pitches, seven for strikes. Not bad for a 38 year old.Rivera recorded two strikeouts in his inning of work. Of note, he didn't throw his cutter, a pitch that will send him with a first class ticket to the Hall of Fame."I didn't need to throw cutters today," Rivera said. "I felt real good out there. I was able to throw the pitches and hit the strike zone."It's interesting to see that Rivera hasn't missed a beat according to yesterday's outing. He is set for 10 innings this spring and is scheduled to make back to back appearances at the end of spring to...

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Tags: Baseball, Mariano Rivera, Spring Training, Yankees

I hope yesterday was a preview of things to come this summer for New York baseball. The Mets had their first look at their new ace Johan Santana in game action and he didn't look good. The Yankees had their prized three of Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy go in their game against the University of South Florida . The trio combined for five innings only giving up one hit. "I think it's great for the organization, the scouts, the people who draft and develop," said Joe Girardi. "It's an organization thing that everyone should be proud of." The world got to see how good these three can be. Ok so they were facing a college team, and it's still early in the spring but you have to be excited about these guys and their seemingly constant...

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Tags: Baseball, Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Phil Hughes, Spring Training, Yankees