Granderson Out At Least Four Weeks With Broken Pinky

In 8 games since returning from his first DL stint, Granderson was hitting .250 with a homer and an RBI, along with six strike outs.

Granderson is in the Lineup, Hafner Going For MRI

Here's tonight's Yankees lineup:

Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells DH
Curtis Granderson LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Jayson Nix SS
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chris Nelson 3B
Austin Romine C

CC Sabathia P

Also, Travis Hafner is experience some soreness in his right shoulder and is headed for an MRI. Expect him to miss at least a few game.

Granderson Activated

Curtis Granderson has been activated and I assume will be available tonight. Vidal Nuno has been optioned to Scranton to make room on the roster.

Granderson On His Way To The Bronx

If you want to be there tonight to watch CC vs King Felix, with Granderson possibly back in the lineup, you can get all your New York Yankees tickets right here with SIH Tickets. There are almost 200 seats still available for tonight's game with prices starting at just $10 bucks.

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.

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.

Rumor: A-Rod, Cano, Granderson To Be Suspended For PEDs

Ummmmm, what????

Now, before you start with the whole "Who the hell is this guy and why would he know?" stuff, he happened to report the Melky Cabrera suspension a month before it happened, so there is a slight chance that this is legit. It's probably not true, but honestly, I don't know what to think.

Here's some backstory from Joe.

Granderson Breaks Forearm, Out 10 Weeks

That pitch will fractured Granderson's forearm and he will miss 10 weeks, leaving the Yankees with a hole in their outfield until at least May. Here's some more of who might fill that hole from Chad Jennings:

The Yankees have veterans Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera in camp. They also have older minor league outfielders like Ronnier Mustelier, Zoilo Almonte, Thomas Neal and Adonis Garcia. Brian Cashman mentioned that his scouts have just started watching games and it’s still too early to know which players might become available.

Cashman said this morning that he wouldn’t want a young guy in a part-time, right-handed platoon role. But that’s not necessarily the case for a situation like this.

“Now we’ll be forced to really evaluate that aspect of it,” Cashman said. “You’re not asking guys (to sit for a long time). Could you bring a guy up right now for the first month in an everyday situation? We’ll look at that. We’ll look at it all. We have no choice. When these things happen you adjust, so we’ll be forced to adjust.”

Alfonso Soriano is another name that has been mentioned.

Hell of a way to start the season, huh?

Rosenthal: Yankees Likely To Resign Ichiro

From Ken Rosenthal:

Ichiro Suzuki enjoyed playing for the Yankees so much, he likely will be back with them again.

The Yankees are showing strong interest in re-signing the free-agent outfielder, according to major league sources.

“They are all over him,” one source says. “That (a deal with Ichiro) will happen.”

That's good to hear..... Rosenthal also mentioned that the Yankees are still exploring the idea of trading Curtis Granderson.

Granderson, Nova & Hughes are Available

Yankees Open To Trading Granderson & Hughes

Well, there's always this option to replace Granderson:

ESPN's and XM's Jim Bowden really feels like the Yankees may still sign Josh Hamilton. Brian Cashman is once again doing his laying in the weeds thing, before he possibly strikes, Bowden believes.

During Day 1 on Monday, I went on Bowden and Casey Stern's XM MLB Network radio show and, in the midst of our conversation, we came up with something that made some sense. At least, to me.

If the Yankees were to trade Curtis Granderson for a package of young players, they could turn around and use the money they might have spent on free-agent-to-be Granderson on ... Hamilton. Essentially, they would be making a deal of Granderson for Hamilton and the package of young players. Seems to make some sense.

The Yankees do have some doubts about how Hamilton could handle New York. So perhaps Hamilton isn't the guy in the ultimate scenario, but it seems obvious that this is one day the Yankees could make a big splash.

Cashman later appeared on Bowden and Stern's XM show, Bowden asked Cashman, "Is it financially possible to stay within $189M and sign Josh Hamilton?" Bowden even added, "Without trading Curtis Granderson?"

"We have a dynamic, creative front office and ownership," Cashman said. "We are always try to do everything that makes sense in our world."

Obviously there are many legitimate concerns tied to Hamilton, and that's before you consider the huge contract he wants. But when he's hitting the guy is an absolute beast so it's at least something interesting to consider.

Yankees Exercise Options on Cano, Granderson, and Aardsma

From Erik Boland:

Free agency officially kicked off in the hours after the Giants completed their four-game sweep of the Tigers in the World Series on Sunday night and, as expected, the Yankees on Monday exercised the club options they held on second baseman Robinson Cano, centerfielder Curtis Granderson and reliever David Aardsma.

Twelve of their players became free agents, headlined by Hiroki Kuroda, Nick Swisher, Russell Martin, Ichiro Suzuki, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera. The others are Eric Chavez, Pedro Feliciano, Freddy Garcia, Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones and Derek Lowe.

Players can start signing with other clubs after midnight ET on Saturday.

OK, just wanted to post that before the Sandy knocked out my power and internet. Stay safe people.

Updates on Tex & Granderson

From Pete Caldera:

Mark Teixeira (sore left calf) was due to take BP on the field for the first time in a week and said he’s targeting Thursday’s series opener at Baltimore for his return.

Curtis Granderson (tight right hamstring) could be in the lineup tomorrow night, according to manager Joe Girardi.

With the lead down to one, it's pretty obvious that all these injuries finally caught up with the team. Getting these guys back should help, but with the way they've been playing (with or without them) let's just hope it's not too little too late.

Granderson's MRI Shows No Strain, Sprain or Pulled Muscle

From George King:

Used to hearing bad news when a player heads for an MRI exam, the Yankees received a positive report Saturday about Curtis Granderson’s right hamstring.

Granderson left Saturday’s 4-3 victory over the Orioles after two innings for what was called a tight right hamstring. The test revealed no strain, sprain or pulled muscle.

“They said it was tendinitis where the bone and joint come together,’’ said Granderson, who felt the leg on the run from the dugout to center field at the start of the game.

King also reported that while Girardi was relieved with the news, he doesn't think Granderson will play on Sunday. The next three games will be in Tampa, on turf, so there's probably a good chance he misses at least a couple of those as well.

Granderson Left Today's Game With a Tight Hamstring

Curtis Granderson was forced to leave Saturday’s game against the Orioles due to tightness in his right hamstring. The injury seemed to occur when Grandy struck up in the 2nd on a checked swing. He's now headed to the hospital for a precautionary MRI.

Let's hope it's nothing serious and he doesn't miss any games. The Yankees haven't been playing too well (as you know) and they really can't afford another injury, even with the expanded rosters.

Cano, Granderson & Jeter Are All-Star Game Starters

From MLB.com:

The starting lineups for the 2012 All-Star Game on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium have been named, so get set Kansas City, here they come.

...

The 17 starters announced on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell on TBS on Sunday give new meaning to the words "star power." Fans have already won, making a record-setting statement in support of their favorite players, but who will win the game this year?

...

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, winner of last year's Home Run Derby, got the starting nod for the third consecutive time, his fourth All-Star Game selection.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is back in the All-Star Game for the 13th time in his career. The Yankees captain bowed out of last year's game, citing exhaustion from the mental and physical rigors of the pursuit of his 3,000th career hit and the need for rest over the All-Star break.

...

Boston designated hitter David Ortiz is an All-Star for the eighth time. Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson and Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista can each smile knowing that they are both three-time All-Stars and in the starting lineup for the second consecutive year.

Yankees starter CC Sabathia also made the AL squad. Click here for the full AL & NL rosters.

Resigning Cano and Granderson Remains Part of Yanks Plans

From Jon Heyman:

Seeking to diffuse any notion that the Yankees won't be able to retain their buggest stars and perhaps suffer a major talent deficit in 2014 when a payroll cut is planned, team president Randy Levine said, "The plan contemplates (Robinson) Cano, (Curtis) Gransderson and a full championship team.''

The Yankees have said they plan to decrease their payroll from the low $200 millions to below $189 million to get below the luxury-tax threshhold for 2012, thus significantly reducing their tax rate in future years and saving themselces tens of millions. With that in mind, some folks are starting to do their own little math and wondering how many stars can be retained considering the Yankees will still have three $20-million-plus per-year players (Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia) on gthe payroll in 2014, leaving themselves about $120 million to fill out the other 22 spots on the team.

With the contracts of Cano and Granderson up after 2013, folks specifically have wondered how the Yankees will squeeze those two big stars onto their payroll. But Yankees people remain confident publicly they can do that and remain a contender.

"We'll have a great team either way,'' GM Brian Cashman said. "At $189 million, we should,''

The Yankees say they will not entertain the idea of going above the $189-million threshhold and are committed to getting below that figure. "The new Basic Agreement has changed the landscape,'' Cashman said. "From a business perspective, we have no choice. Do you want to go over $1 million at the expense of an additional $50 million? We're going to be at or below that ($189 million) number. We will certainly find a way to do it.''

Personally, I have no idea how it'll be possible to retain those two and have a good roster around them. I guess we'll just have to take their word for it for now.

Verlander Wins AL MVP

From the NY Post:

Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson did not win AL MVP, but a former teammate did.

Tigers ace Justin Verlander won the award on Monday and became the first pitcher to earn the honor since Oakland's Dennis Eckersley won in 1992 and the first starter since Boston's Roger Clemens in 1986.

Granderson, whom the Yankees acquired from Detroit after the 2009 season, finished fourth in the voting...

...Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was second with 242, Bautista third with 231, Granderson followed with 215, and Verlander's Tigers teammate Miguel Cabrera came in fifth with 193 points.

With a 24-5 record and 2.40 ERA you're not going to find any complaints about this award, even if he already won the Cy Young.

Granderson Wins AL's Most Outstanding Player

From Chad Jennings:

Curtis Granderson has been named the Players Choice Award winner as the American League’s Outstanding Player. Justin Verlander was named the overall Player of the Year, but Granderson was recognized as the American League’s top hitter.

Congrats Curtis!

A full list of winners can be seen here.

The Plays That Saved The Season