1/9 Winter Ball Report

Dominican Winter League
- Melky Cabrera (Aguilas) went 0-for-1 to drop his avg. to .361 in the DWL playoffs. He was also caught trying to steal a base.

Melky had to leave the game in the fourth inning after being hit on the elbow by a pitch from Yankees head-hunter Daniel Cabrera. If you have forgotten, Cabrera has made a habit out of hitting Yankees with pitches. Well that's not entirely fair, he hits everyone. In 2008 he led the league with 18 hit batsmen. There is no word on the severity of Melky's injury. A big thanks to River Ave. Blues for the news.

- Wilkins Arias (Aguilas) pitched .1 of an inning and allowed three runs - one earned - on two hits and a walk. He has an ERA of 4.05 in the DWL playoffs.

- Juan Miranda (Licey) went 0-for-2, dropping his avg. to .235.

Also, check out this interview with Austin Jackson over on Gotham Baseball Magazine. Paul Greco spoke with the Yankees prospect during the Arizona Fall League.

Here's what he said when he was asked about what the Yankees asked him to work on during the AFL:

Austin Jackson : I think just being more consistent is the big thing. I have personal goals I set for myself like cutting down on strike outs and the Yankees agree with that You know trying to make better contact and be more consistent and cut down on strike outs.

He also thinks he's ready to join the Yankees right now:

Austin Jackson : Oh most definitely. I think I can help the team with my defense and my offense will come around. Hopefully they give me a shot, and if they do, I make the best of the opportunity.

Check out the rest of the interview here.

Here's a full list of Yankees playing in the Venezuelan, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Dominican winter leagues:

Dominican Winter League: Robinson Cano and Wady Rufino are playing for Estrellas de Oriente. Melky Cabrera and Wilkins Arias are playing for Aguilas Cibaenas. Abraham Almonte is playing for Leones del Escogido. And Juan Mirana and Amaury Sanit are playing for Tigres del Licey.

Mexican Pacific League: Ramiro Pena and Jorge Vasquez are playing for Tomateros de Culiacan. And Walter Ibarra is on Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

Puerto Rican Winter League: Ian Kennedy and Jonathan Albaladejo are on Indios de Mayaguez. And Bernie Williams will play for Gigantes de Carolina.

Venezuelan Winter League: Francisco Cervelli, Edwar Gonzalez and Carlos Mendoza are playing for Cardenales de Lara. And Edgar Soto and Luis Nunez are on Aguilas del Zulia.

You can check out all of their Winter Ball stats here.