First Group of September Callups on Their Way

Chad Jennings reported last night that he was hearing that Greg Golson, Chad Moeller, and Jonathan Albaladejo were on their way to New York to be added to the newly expanded rosters. Someone has to be trimmed off the 40-man roster to make room for Moeller, but that shouldn't be an issue.

Colin Curtis Called Up From SWB

The Yankees called up Colin Curtis prior to tonight's game against the Diamondbacks. According to Chad Jennings, Chad Moeller is no longer listed on the roster so it appears that his days in Pinstripes are over.

Curtis hit .280/.357/.368 with 12 RBI in 35 games for Scranton.

With Posada Returning Russo is Probably Headed Out the Door

Jorge Posad will likely be activated prior to tonight's game against the Orioles and this creates a little bit of a problem for the Yanks. Posada will only DH at first so Chad Moeller will likely have to stay on the roster as a third catcher in case something happened to Cervelli.

The only two real options the Yankees then have is sending Kevin Russo or Juan Miranda back to Triple-A. However, with Mark Teixeira fouling that ball off his foot last night the Yankees might have to keep Miranda just in case. If the Yankees feel Tex is healthy and can continue to play everyday that would obviously change things, but I doubt that's how they feel right now, and that leaves Russo as the odd man out.

He done a pretty good job filling in while some Yankees worked their way back from injury, but after 14 games he's hitting just .222/.250/.296 and could probably use some regular at-bats in the minors. When Jorge gets back to catching every day the Yanks will then designate Chad Moeller for assignment and then recall Russo.

We'll find out for sure later today, but I think this is the move the Yankees will make.

Some More Moves and News

Along with Chad Moeller, Kevin Russo was also called up earlier today. Mark Melancon will head to Scranton to make room for Russo on the roster.

Nick Swisher should be back in the lineup tonight, at least according to Chad Jennings, that seems to be the plan.

It may have been missed with Moeller being called up, but earlier I mentioned that the Yankees signed 27-year-old second baseman Jeff Natale.

It's Moeller

Much to the disappointment of many, the Yankees called up Chad Moeller, and not Jesus Montero or Austin Romine to replace Jorge Posada and back up Francisco Cervelli. To make room on the 40-man roster Nick Johnson was placed on the 60-day DL.

While a call up of one of the two top prospects would have been the most exciting for Yankees fans, it's probably not the right move. Girardi has already said that Cervelli was going to play most of the time, so you can't call up Montero or Romine and have them ride the pine.

Also, Montero is 20, has yet to prove he's ready defensively, and is just hitting .230 with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Romine, 21, is playing well for Double-A Trenton, but I don't think the Yankees are comfortable having him jump two levels.

Chad Moeller has plenty of major league experience, fills the role of backup very nicely, and it allows guys like Romine and Montero to continue their development in the minors. As much as Yankees fans probably don't want to see it, Moeller makes the most sense.

Yanks Release Mike Rivera

Marc Carig is reporting that the Yankees have released catcher Mike Rivera. With the signing of Chad Moeller earlier today, you figured this was coming.