RHP Alfredo Aceves will try playing catch Wednesday, the first time he will throw since landing on the DL last week with a bulging disk in his lower back. Aceves has no timetable to throw off a mound, but manager Joe Girardi noted the reliever "has a little hop in his step and appears to be a lot better."Not having any idea of when he will be back is discouraging, but at least he's on the mend.
Last year, Aceves' versatility helped the team solidify the pen. He's can be a long-man, short-man, setup guy, mop up guy, or in other words, anything the Yankees need him to be. So it's no surprise that the Yankees pen has struggled in his absence. Getting him back, along with Curtis Gradnerson and Jorge Posada will be three things that help the Yanks get back in the right direction, but until they do come back the guys who are out there must step up. This division is far too good for mediocre baseball.
