Some Mid-Week News & Notes

-- Mariano Rivera faced hitters for the first time this spring Tuesday when he threw a 36-pitch BP session on Tuesday. He is set to make his first appearance in a game on Friday against the Astros.

-- Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who has been suffering some neck stiffness, said today that he fells "much better now," and is hoping to take some BP on Wednesday or Thursday. Manager Joe Girardi said he expects Matsui to make his spring training debut sometime early next week, but Matsui thinks it will be a little longer, maybe a week to ten days.

-- Some of the young pitchers, including Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy, have been working extra hard this spring. They've even been included in Andy Pettitte's rigorous workout routines. But don't worry, nobody is doing any HGH, at least I hope not.

-- Matt Bouffard of DugoutCentral.com has a new idea for how to use Joba Chamberlain this season. He suggests the best way to use Joba this season is out of the bullpen, but not as a setup man, as a "shut-down" man, interesting idea.

-- Speaking of Joba, The Yankees renewed Joba Chamberlain’s contract yesterday at the Major League minimum of $390,000 - Whatta steal!

-- The Yankees have published an official Yankee Stadium retrospective book.

Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective, which was authored by Mark Vancil and Alfred Santasiere III, is the only book about Yankee Stadium that is licensed by the New York Yankees. It features an introduction by George M. Steinbrenner III, a foreword by Rudy Giuliani, and more than 150 photographs, many never before published.

-- Mark Feinsand has this article about one of the unsung heroes of the Yankee organization, new Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson.

A member of the Yankees organization since 1990, Thomson has manned several pinstriped posts during the past 18years. From minor-league coach to director of player development, the 44-year-old has seen practically every angle inside the organization.

"I've known him for a long time; he works as hard as anyone," said Derek Jeter, who has worked with Thomson since 1993. "He's always prepared, always positive; he's a lot of fun to be around. I'm excited for him. It's well-deserved."

-- Bryan Hoch of MLB.com sat down and interviewed Yankee skipper Joe Girardi.

-- Phil Hughes believes In Player/Fan Interaction. "The fans are very important to me," Hughes said. "Without them, I wouldn't have a job, basically. I try to give back as much as I can. It's almost a no-brainer."