Final Cuts Made, Yanks Roster Set

Peter Abraham is reporting that the Yankees have reassigned these players:

INF Nick Green
RHP Scott Patterson
RHP Jose Veras
LHP Kei Igawa
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP Jose Veras

LHP Andy Pettitte was retroactively placed on the 15-day DL. He is eligible to come off on Saturday.

Darrell Rasner, Brett Gardner, Cody Ransom, Jason Lane, Jason Brown, Greg Porter and Bernie Castro were also reassigned earlier in the day.

OPENING DAY ROSTER

Lineup: Damon LF, Jeter SS, Abreu RF, Rodriguez 3B, Giambi 1B, Posada C, Matsui DH, Cano 2B, Cabrera CF

Bench: Duncan 1B/OF, Betemit INF, Ensberg 1B/3B, Molina C

Starting Staff: Wang, Mussina, Hughes, Kennedy, Pettitte (DL will be added Saturday)

Bullpen: Rivera, Chamberlain, Farnsworth, Hawkins, Ohlendorf, Bruney, Traber, Albaladejo

As Peter points out, once Pettitte is activated one of the relievers will be sent to AAA, I'm guessing it'll be Albaladejo.

I would have given Patterson a shot, he only gave up one hit all spring (7.2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 7K), and retired 23 out of 24 batters. I know, I know, he doesn't have any MLB experience, but as Joe Girardi said earlier in the week, "I'm not a big believer that you have to have big league experience to be successful." I'm sure he'll be called up at some point this year.

I am glad they didn't take a long man, because at this point I don't think they need one. Maybe down the road, but not now.

The bench could have used some speed instead of two guys who are basically the same hitter (Duncan and Ensberg), but besides that this roster overall looks solid. As long as they stay healthy this could be a very good team.