Tonight's Lineups

YANKEES (15-10)
Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Robinson Cano 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Brennan Boesch RF
Jayson Nix 3B
Lyle Overbay 1B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Chris Stewart C

RHP Hiroki Kuroda

ASTROS (8-18)
Robbie Grossman CF
Jose Altuve 2B
Jason Castro C
Carlos Pena 1B
Chris Carter D H
Rick Ankiel RF
Matt Dominguez 3B
Brandon Barnes LF
Marwin Gonzalez SS

RHP Philip Humber

Youkilis Headed To The DL

From Dan Martin:

Kevin Youkilis has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lumbar spine sprain and recalled infielder Corban Joseph from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his spot on the roster.

The move was anticipated after Youkilis was expected to have an epidural on his lower back Tuesday and is particularly damaging since the Yankees can no longer backdate the DL stint to April 20, when he was removed from a game in Toronto.

Instead, they can only go back as far as last Saturday, since Youkilis played that day.

A second MRI exam revealed no new damage to the back Monday, but it Youkilis was still feeling discomfort.

At least it doesn't seem to be anything serious. Still, the Yankees screwed this one up, there was no reason to play him on Saturday. Brian Cashman feels the same way. “Playing him on Saturday was a mistake by everyone involved,” Cashman said on Tuesday. “He had six days off. He felt he was ready. He played. He slid into first base. He’s still balky from it.”

Pitching Matchups: Yankees vs Blue Jays

Sorry for the lack of posting, I've been distracted by the Knicks-Celtics playoff series and work. Anyway, here are the pitching matchups for Yanks-Jays:

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES/MLBN | Radio: WCBS
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (2-1, 2.35) vs. LHP Mark Buehrle (1-0, 5.87)

Game 2: Friday @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES/MLBN | Radio: WCBS
RHP Ivan Nova (1-1, 6.14) vs. RHP Josh Johnson (0-1, 6.86)

Game 3: Saturday @ 4:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
LHP CC Sabathia (3-2, 3.34) vs. LHP J.A. Happ (2-1, 3.68)

Game 4: Sunday @ 1:05 PM | TV: YES/TBS | Radio: WCBS
RHP Phil Hughes (0-2, 5.14) vs. RHP R.A. Dickey (2-3, 4.66)
Also, here is tonight's lineup:

Brett Gardner CF
Ben Francisco DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells LF
Francisco Cervelli C
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Jayson Nix 3B

RHP Hiroki Kuroda

Remember, if you'd like to purchase New York Yankees tickets, you can get them right here from SIH Tickets.

Jeter Out Until After The All-Star Break

Upsetting turn of events, here's the details from Bryan Hoch's Twitter:

Game 13: Yankees vs Diamondbacks

Regular Season Game 13

YANKEES vs DIAMONDBACKS

First Pitch: 7:05 PM | TV: MY9 | Radio: WCBS

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (7-5)
Brett Gardner CF
Vernon Wells LF
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Ben Francisco DH
Francisco Cervelli C
Brennan Boesch RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Jayson Nix 3B

LHP CC Sabathia (2-1, 2.25 ERA)

DIAMONDBACKS (8-5)
A.J. Pollock LF
Martin Prado 3B
Paul Goldschmidt 1B
Miguel Montero C
Cody Ross RF
Alfredo Marte DH
Gerardo Parra CF
Cliff Pennington SS
Josh Wilson 2B

LHP Wade Miley (2-1, 2.13 ERA)

Updates on Jeter and Pettitte

First for the good news:

Andy Pettitte went through his bullpen session without a problem yesterday and proclaimed himself “good to go” for his start Friday in Toronto.

“Everything is where I want it,” said Pettitte, who was scratched over the weekend after suffering back spasms. “They want to see how I feel after [the bullpen]. Hopefully there’s no tightness tomorrow after I worked it as hard as I did today.”

Pettitte said he felt fine during the 35-40 pitch session yesterday, but pitching coach Larry Rothschild noted his last bullpen went well in Cleveland and his back stiffened later.

“It was a good decision, so I don’t second guess it,” Pettitte said of being pushed back. “I hope I go Friday and it’s not that big of an issue.”

And now the bad:

Derek Jeter still is trying to rehabilitate his injured ankle and is not close to appearing in rehab games, making a return in early May a remote possibility at best.

After taking the weekend off to rest his ankle, Jeter has lightened his workload in Tampa as he tries to manage his recovery.

The New York Yankees have said when Jeter is finally ready to play in games, he will need close to a full spring training before he will be prepared to return to the majors.

Yankees To Play "Sweet Caroline" Tonight At The Stadium

From Andrew Marchand:

To pay tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, the Yankees will have a special moment of silence and will play Fenway favorite "Sweet Caroline" at the end of the third inning tonight at Yankee Stadium.

If you don't know, "Sweet Caroline" is played at Fenway during the seventh-inning stretch. Apparently, the idea that the Yankees play it came from a fan and the Yankees went with it. I like the idea as well.

Pitching Matchups: Yankees vs DBacks

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS

RHP Ivan Nova (0-1, 7.71) vs. RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-1, 7.71)

Game 2: Tomorrow @ 7:05 PM | TV: MY9 | Radio: WCBS

LHP CC Sabathia (2-1, 2.25) vs LHP Wade Miley (2-0, 2.13)

Game 3: Thursday @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS

RHP Phil Hughes (0-2, 10.29) vs LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0, 1.50)

If you'd like to go to any of these games, remember we have all 

your New York Yankees tickets right here.

Pettitte Pushed Back Again, Will Start Friday

From Matt Ehalt:

The New York Yankees have pushed back Andy Pettitte's next start a second time to Friday against the Blue Jays as he deals with back spasms.

Pettitte had been scheduled to pitch Saturday before having that start pushed back to either Tuesday or Wednesday, and the team is now giving the 40-year-old even more time to ensure he's healthy.

"He's better but instead of saying let's throw a bullpen today and see how he feels and then if he has a setback then Friday becomes jeopardized," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We thought let's give him until Tuesday, we feel everything will be cleared up and then we'll have him on the mound."

The Yankees will now start Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes in the three-game set against Arizona beginning Tuesday.

Pettitte had been scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday and will now throw it Tuesday. While Pettitte understands why he's was delayed, he'd rather pitch as scheduled.

"I'm on board to a certain extent," Pettitte said before the Yankees faced the Orioles. "I just want to pitch. I understand it."

...

"It's frustrating," Pettitte said Friday. "I had seven weeks of spring training, not one problem. It is a worry for me because I want to be healthy and I want to make my starts, but I also know that it's also a muscle spasm and if it goes away I'm going to be fine to pitch."

I'm not too concerned about this. This kind of thing happens to 40-year-olds in cold weather.

Updates on Tex and Granderson

From D.J. Short:

While Curtis Granderson threw today for this first time since his broken right forearm, another big bat in the Yankees’ lineup is inching closer to a return.

According to the Associated Press, Mark Teixeira hopes to be cleared to take “dry swings” tomorrow following a visit to hand and wrist specialist Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser. The 33-year-old has been sidelined since early March with a partially torn tendon sheath in his right wrist, but he said today that he feels “no pain” and “could not be happier with the progress.”

Tex is planning on going from dry swings to hitting soft tosses in the next week or so. After that, he'll start hitting against live pitching.

Nova and Hughes To Be Skipped vs Baltimore

Via Mark Feinsand:

The Yankees had already skipped Ivan Nova in the rotation following Wednesday's rainout, keeping Phil Hughes lined up for his start Thursday.

Following Thursday's postponement, Girardi announced that Hughes would also be skipped, leaving CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte on regular rest this weekend against the Orioles.

Hughes and Nova will be available in the bullpen for the next couple days, then Hughes will pitch Tuesday and Nova Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

With this news it looks like those rain outs were a blessing is disguise.

Girardi Complains About MLB Scheduling

From CBS:

Yankees manager Joe Girardi wasn’t in a great mood after yet another game was postponed in Cleveland.

Play between the Yankees and Indians never began Thursday night, and the tarp was still covering the infield when the game was called at 9 p.m. The teams also were rained out on Wednesday night, cutting a four-game series in half. The Yankees won the first two games, outscoring the Indians 25-7.

“I don’t think you can come to cold-weather cities (in April) if you’re only going to go there once,” he said. “I think you’ve got to stay within your division first.”

“I know teams want night games, and I understand that,” he added. “But if you would have had a day game today, it gives you a longer window to play.”

...

“I mean, it’s snowing in Minnesota and the Mets are there. I don’t know who can make the best snowman,” he said.

No makeup date was announced. However, both teams have an open date May 13 and it’s possible they will play a doubleheader. This was New York’s only scheduled visit to Progressive Field, but the Yankees will now be coming back to Cleveland.

“I don’t think there’s anything else you can do,” Girardi said.

Girardi sort of has a point, but New York isn't so great in April, and neither is Boston or Baltimore. So unless he wants the Yankees to only play road games in Tampa, Toronto, and AL West cities until the weather gets better, there's really nothing MLB can do.

Game 9: Yankees @ Indians

Regular Season Game 9

YANKEES @ INDIANS

First Pitch: TBA (Rain) | TV: YES/ESPN2 | Radio: WCBS

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (4-4)
Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Vernon Wells LF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Francisco Cervelli C

Phil Hughes RHP (0-1, 6.75 ERA)

Indians (3-5)
Michael Bourn CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Jason Kipnis 2B
Nick Swisher 1B
Michael Brantley LF
Mark Reynolds DH
Lonnie Chisenhall 3B
Yan Gomes C
Drew Stubbs RF

Zach McAllister (0-1, 3.00 ERA)

Rained Out

Tonight's game in Cleveland has been postponed. There will only be one game tomorrow, as scheduled. No word on a makeup date yet.

Game 9: Yankees @ Indians

Regular Season Game 9

YANKEES @ INDIANS

First Pitch: 7:05 PM | TV: YES/ESPN2 | Radio: WCBS

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (4-4)
Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Vernon Wells LF
Brennan Boesch RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Stewart C

Ivan Nova RHP (0-1, 7.71 ERA)

Indians (3-5)
Michael Bourn CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Jason Kipnis 2B
Nick Swisher 1B
Michael Brantley LF
Mark Reynolds DH
Lonnie Chisenhall 3B
Yan Gomes C
Drew Stubbs RF

Corey Kluber RHP (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Jeter Takes BP, Fields Grounders

From Mark Feinsand:

Derek Jeter continued his road back from ankle surgery Wednesday, hitting on the field for the first time since March 23 and taking ground balls on the infield dirt at the Yankees' Tampa complex.

Jeter, who ran light sprints on Tuesday for the first time since his setback more than two weeks ago, did not speak with reporters after his workout.

Jeter ran from first-to-third on the grass just behind the infield, then reversed course and ran back to first. He repeated the exercise three times, though he was not running at full speed.

Good news, hopefully this means the May 1st target return date is somewhat realistic. Stay tuned...

MLB Video: Inside the 1923 World Series Champion Yankees

MLB.com has a new feature where they take you inside each and every Yankees World Series Championship. Here's 1923:

Game 8: Yankees @ Indians

Regular Season Game 8

YANKEES @ INDIANS

First Pitch: 7:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (3-4)
Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Vernon Wells LF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Francisco Cervelli C

Andy Pettitte LHP

Indians (3-4)
TBA

Carlos Carrasco RHP

Notes
- Derek Jeter has started running again.

- Curtis Granderson has been cleared to swing a bat.

- The Yankees resigned Clay Rapada to a minor-league deal today.

Injury Updates: Jeter, Tex, Granderson, Hughes, Nunez,

Jon Heyman is reporting that Derek Jeter, Mark Texieira and Curtis Granderson could all be back by May 1st:

Yankees people are mentioning May 1 as potentially the key date in their season. The team's medical people are suggesting, at least in behind-the-scenes conversations, that May 1 could be a target date for the return of three of their missing stars: Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson.

May 1 might be optimistic, and a Yankees person suggested that date may assume no more setbacks. Jeter still needs to go through several steps before he can return, starting with taking grounders. The first time he began taking grounders this spring it was still a few weeks before he appeared in a spring game. Understandably, the Yankees plan to proceed cautiously with their iconic shortstop. He is eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday, as they had hoped he could make it back by the end of the first week of the season even after opening day was ruled out.

The way things are going with this team, I wouldn't be surprised if all three were not on the field for that Astros series, but keep your fingers crossed.

As for Eduardo Nunez, he may be sidelined for a little while after getting him on the arm in yesterday's game:

This is how Eduardo Nunez’s day ended at Comerica Park yesterday.

As his teammates filed out of the visiting clubhouse after their 8-3 loss to the Tigers, the Yankees shortstop struggled to put on his jacket. Finally, after several frustrating tries, catcher Chris Stewart had to come over and help Nunez slide his aching right arm into the sleeve of his coat.

It’s bad enough when older Yankees are injured, but it’s really bad when young Yankees get hurt. Nunez was hit in the right biceps by an 88-mph fastball from Tigers starter Doug Fister in the fourth inning and Nunez fell to the ground in terrible pain. He eventually had to be helped off the field. X-rays were negative and the injury is being labeled a bruise.

“I was scared, I thought it was broken, I felt pain all down my arm,’’ Nunez said. “The pain was so bad. I felt much better when I heard the X-rays were negative, and now we’ll see how it feels.’’

Nunez said he does not expect to be sidelined long, but considering the trouble he had putting on his jacket, don’t expect him to play today against the Tigers.

Finally, some actual decent news, Phil Hughes will be activated today:

Phil Hughes will be activated from the disabled list this afternoon. It’s one of those rare moments when a player coming off the DL earlier than expected isn’t necessarily good news. It’s not necessarily bad news – Hughes is healthy, was just expected to get one more tune up — but the move has more to do with an overworked pitching staff than overwhelmingly dominant pitcher.

Game 3: Yankees vs Red Sox

Regular Season Game 3

YANKEES vs RED SOX

First Pitch: 7:05 PM | TV: YES/MLBN | Radio: WCBS

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (0-2)
Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Vernon Wells LF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Francisco Cervelli C

Andy Pettitte LHP

RED SOX (2-0)
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Shane Victorino RF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Mike Napoli 1B
Jonny Gomes DH
Will Middlebrooks 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr. LF
David Ross C
Jose Iglesias SS

Ryan Dempster RHP

Update on Kuroda

If you weren't watching the Yankees 7-4 loss to the Red Sox tonight, Hiroki Kuroda had to leave the game after being hit on the middle finger of his pitching hand on a liner back to the mound. Luckily, he's OK. Here's the update via Bryan Hoch and Sweeny Murti:

Game 2: Yankees vs Red Sox

Regular Season Game 2

YANKEES vs RED SOX

First Pitch: 7:05 PM | TV: YES/ESPN2 | Radio: WCBS

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (0-1)
Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Vernon Wells LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Chris Stewart C

RHP Hiroki Kuroda

RED SOX (1-0)
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Daniel Nava DH
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Mike Napoli 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Will Middlebrooks 3B
Shane Victorino RF
Jackie Bradley LF
Jose Iglesias SS

RHP Clay Buchholz

NOTES

- When I look at the Yankees lineup, I cannot believe that this team's payroll comes in at a record $230 million dollars. Yes, $230 million dollars.

-  The Yankees granted Clay Rapada his unconditional release. This move was made to make room for Lyle Overbay on the 40-man roster.

- Here's some more on the Cano/Jay-Z situation.

- Need some Yankees tickets?

Marchand: Jeter Is A Long Way From Coming Back

From Andrew Marchand:

Derek Jeter is not even hitting right now. Jeter is not even fielding right now. Jeter is not even running right now.

Jeter is not even close to getting in a minor league game or a simulated game.

So even Jeter, for all his positive traits and accomplishments, wasn't going to be ready by Saturday when he is eligible to come off the disabled list.

"He won't be ready," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said.

Cashman doesn't want to create expectations if he doesn't have to, so Cashman won't put a timetable on Jeter's return. There is a good chance the Yankees really have no idea and aren't really hiding anything.

At this point, Jeter is only doing a throwing program and physical therapy.

...

When will he be ready? The Yankees don't really know. Jeter probably doesn't know, either. It was never going to be April 6. There was always a better chance it would be May 6.

This sucks, but all it means is that Nunez is going to have to step up while Jeter recovers. Currently, there are too many easy out in this lineup and Nunez cannot be one of them.

Heyman: Jay-Z Looking To Keep Cano In The Bronx

From Jon Heyman:

The Robinson Cano negotiations changed course faster than you can say "Empire State of Mind.''

A Yankees deal might not take much longer than that.

Cano's negotiations with the Yankees seemed destined to be a drawn-out affair when agent Scott Boras was handling things. But now that Cano has switched from the notoriously tough Boras (who's flown to New York to try to meet with Cano, so far to no avail) to hire rapper, native New Yorker and self-proclaimed Yankee fan Jay-Z, everything has changed.

The focus has gone from free agency and the spectre of a record contract to a certain in-season re-start of negotiations with the Yankees now that Cano is repped by the Brooklyn-reared singer and entrepreneur who's obtained a temporary agenting license from the union and enlisted CAA to help professionally steer negotiations. Jay-Z, who will be "intimately involved,'' according to CAA Baseball's co-head Brodie Van Wagenen, only knows about another type of records. The rhetoric borders on the rosy now.

An in-season deal only months before free agency, a rarity for a superstar player, seems like a goal now. And that goes for both sides, not just the Yankees.

"Of course it's possible given that he won't be a free agent until November,'' said Van Wagenen, who will lead negotiations.

"There's a lot of time between now and then.''

And while there's no word yet that Van Wagenen (or for that matter, Jay-Z) has reached out yet to the Yankees, signs point to a strong effort to get a deal done before Cano hits free agency. Although Cano told some friends at the time he wasn't thrilled with how the Yankees handled the Derek Jeter negotiations, that he wanted to go for the biggest deal and that he was at least open to a move from New York, there seems to be no sense hiding Cano's heart now.

"New York and the Yankee fans have been great to Robinson. He's cherished his time in pinstripes,'' Van Wagenen said. "He loves the fans and the city. He has a great sense of pride as a Yankee. Though ultimately, whether he stays a Yankee remains to be seen.''

The Yankees aren't about to celebrate yet, but it's hard not to think Cano's at least tipped his hand that he wants to stay in the Bronx. Yankees president Randy Levine said, "Robinson Cano is a great Yankee, and we're hopeful he remains a Yankee for many years to come.''

Based on this move, I personally believe Cano is happy with the offer he reportedly received from the Yankees and wants to get that done. Knowing Boras, he probably wanted to continue negotiations after the season to try to drive the price up, which could be the reason he's no longer Cano's agent.

Cano Fires Boras...... Hires Jay-Z??????????

From Darren Rovell:

Roc Nation, an entertainment company founded by Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, will announce on Tuesday that it is getting into the sports representation business through a partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

The company, which will be known as Roc Nation Sports, has signed its first client, the New York Yankees' Robinson Cano. Cano, who has left agent Scott Boras, is in the final year of a six-year, $57 million deal with the team.

"At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors on and off the field," Cano said, in a statement. "I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates."

It remains to be seen whether this alters the trajectory of Cano's talks with the Yankees, who have been trying to sign the star second baseman.

...

Sources say Jay-Z himself is planning to be a certified agent, first in baseball and eventually in basketball and football. In order to represent clients in basketball, he would have to give up his small share of the Brooklyn Nets.

Well, that's interesting. And no, this doesn't appear to be a late April fools joke. Either way, if it ends up making it easier for the Yankees to resign him, I'll be happy.

Opening Day: The Lineups

Regular Season Game 1
YANKEES vs Red Sox
First Pitch: 1:08 PM | TV: YES/ESPN | Radio: WCBS
Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (0-0)
Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Vernon Wells LF
Ben Francisco DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Jayson Nix 3B
Francisco Cervelli C

LHP CC Sabathia

RED SOX (0-0)
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Shane Victorino RF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Mike Napoli 1B
Will Middlebrooks 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Jonny Gomes DH
Jackie Bradley Jr. LF
Jose Iglesias SS

LHP Jon Lester

Today's Schedule of events:
10:20-11:20 a.m. Yankees BP
11:00 a.m. Gates open to ticket holders
11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Red Sox BP
12:42-12:52 p.m. Baseline introductions
12:52 p.m. Introduction of giant American flag, unfurled by West Point Cadets
12:53 p.m. Presentation of Colors: Newtown, Conn. First Responders–Police and Fire Dept. joint color guard
12:53 p.m. Moment of Silence: Newtown, Conn.
12:55 p.m. National Anthem introduction
12:56 p.m. National Anthem: Constantine Maroulis
1:03 p.m. Umpires and Managers to Home Plate
1:06 p.m. Yankees take the field; ceremonial first pitch thrown by Lou Piniella
1:08 p.m. First Pitch

Pitching Matchups: Yankees - Red Sox

Here are the opening series pitching matchups & start times. Remember, if you're looking for last minute New York Yankees tickets for opening day or any games throughout the 2013 season, you can get them right here our partners at TiqIQ.

Game 1: Today @ 1:05 PM | TV: YES/ESPN | Radio: WCBS 880
LHP CC Sabathia (0-0, 0.00) vs LHP Jon Lester (0-0, 0.00)

Game 2: Wednesday @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES/ESPN2 | Radio: WCBS 880
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (0-0, 0.00) vs RHP Clay Buccholz (0-0, 0.00)

Game 3: Thursday @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES/MLBN | Radio: WCBS 880
LHP Andy Pettitte (0-0, 0.00) vs RHP Ryan Dempster (0-0, 0.00)