Yanks Sign Ricky Orta

In 85 minor league games (all in Double-A or lower) the 27-year-old is 14-18 with a 4.37 ERA. In 267.2 innings he's allowed 152 runs on 254 hits, walked 102 and struck out 272.

"Remote Chance" Gardner Returns for Subway Series

According to Andrew Marchand, injured outfielder Brett Gardner took five at-bats in an extended spring training game today and Girardi sounded pleased with the results saying "all went well." Marchand went on to say that there is a "remote" possibility that Gardner could return during this weekend's Subway Series vs. the grossly overachieving Mets. Girardi wants to give Gardner tomorrow off and then have him play a few days in a row before making any decisions.

"Everything is pretty good right now,'' Girardi said. "We'll just have to see how he does. It's possible (he could play this weekend), but we'll just have to see how it goes.''"

Jeter Leading AL Shortstops in All-Star Voting, 2nd Overall

From Marc Carig:

Derek Jeter is the top vote-getter among American League shortstops, according to Major League Baseball, which issued its first All-Star Game balloting update. At nearly 1.7 votes, Jeter ranks second only to the Rangers' Josh Hamilton (nearly 2.6 million) in overall votes.

Jeter, who is batting a team-high .336, leads the AL with 75 hits.

Center fielder Curtis Granderson (1.4 million) ranks behind Hamilton among outfielders and joins Jeter as one of two Yankees would have earned a starting spot if voting ended today. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

First baseman Mark Teixeira and second baseman Robinson Cano rank second at their position in fan voting, behind Prince Fielder of the Tigers and Ian Kinsler of the Rangers.

Jeter deserves all the votes he gets after rebounding from a mostly disappointing 2011 campaign.

In other all-star game news, Robinson Cano has been named captain of the AL Home Run Derby squad and said he's hoping Granderson will join him. Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp will be captain of the NL squad.

This Week in Yankees History (6/3-6/9)

This Week in Yankees History

June 3rd - June 9th

June 3rd

1929 - The New York Yankees released veteran 1B George “Tioga” Burns (1928-1929). George Burns played briefly with the New York Yankees in 1928, before finishing his long MLB career with the Philadelphia A’s in 1929. In 1915 with the Detroit Tigers, he beat out fellow rookie Wally Pipp for the Tigers 1st base job, Pipp was sent to the Yankees in a trade.

1932 - New York Yankees 1B Lou Gehrig hit 4 consecutive HRs in a game, he narrowly missed a 5th HR, stopped by a great catch by an A’s outfielder. His Yankees teammate Tony Lazzeri hits for the cycle as the Yankees beat the Philadelphia A’s by a score of 20-13. The Yankees set a MLB record for total bases with 50; both teams set a still-standing record for extra bases with 41.

1933 - After giving up 11 runs to the Philadelphia A’s in the 2nd inning, the New York Yankees rebound in the 5th inning with 10 runs, as they out slug the A’s by the score of 17-11. In the 8th inning, Babe Ruth will cap off the Yankees comeback with a 3-run HR.

1941 - At Cleveland Stadium, Yankees starter Red Ruffing shuts out the Indians 2-0. Ruffing allows 8 Tribe hits in the complete game victory. He is now 5-3 for the 1941 AL season. Al Milnar takes the loss for Cleveland. Buddy Rosar and Frank Crosetti lead the Yankees hitting attack, driving in 1 run apiece.

1950 - The New York Yankees sweep the Chicago White Sox by scores of 3-1 and 6-3 in a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. In the 1st game, Yankees starter Tommy Byrne picks up his 6th victory of the 1950 AL season, holding the White Sox to 1 run with 9 hits, 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.

Phil Rizzuto and Hank Bauer each going 3 for 4 at the plate, lead the Bronx Bombers hitting attack. The Scooter drives in 2 Yankee runs, while Hank Bauer gets 1 RBI. In the 2nd game, Fred Sanford picks up his 3rd victory for the Yankees with relief help from Yankees Closer Joe Page, who picks up his 9 save of the season. Bill Wight takes the lost for the White Sox. Joe DiMaggio goes 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs including a HR in the game

1968 - The New York Yankees turn their 21st triple play in their team’s history, but lose to the Minnesota Twins by the score of 4-3. With the bases loaded and the go-ahead run already across the plate, Yankees P Dooley Womack catches a lined shot by Twins C Johnny Roseboro, who threw to Bobby Cox at 3B and then watched in awe as when Cox’s throw to 1B Mickey Mantle was in time to complete the triple-play.

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Wow

Girardi Believes Joba Will Pitch This Year

From Roger Rubin:

With reliever David Robertson and outfielder Brett Gardner close to beginning minor league rehab assignments, Joe Girardi is asked daily about their progress. On Saturday he brought other, unexpected, rehab news: reliever Joba Chamberlain is throwing pitches from halfway up a mound. And Girardi believes the righthander will return and contribute for the Bombers this season.

“I believe he’ll be back,” Girardi said. “I am no doctor, no rehab therapist, but just knowing Joba I believe he’s going to be back for us this year.”

Chamberlain was working his way back from Tommy John surgery when he suffered a freak right ankle injury in March. It was called an “open dislocation” where the bone was exposed and there was considerable bleeding, although he claimed both of those aspects were untrue.

The righthander is using a small brace on the ankle and isn’t yet throwing 100%. Girardi said Chamberlain’s mobility isn’t to the point where he can run a sprint, but still can do mound work. He will have difficult tests to pass if he is to make good on his spring training vow to play this year.

“I think his arm is going to be fine,” Girardi said. “I think it’s going to be can he tolerate the pounding you go through as a pitcher — having to cover the base, when you land (and) when you push off? Those are the hurdles he’s going to have to clear.”

Why does Girardi believe Chamberlain will make it back? “Most people I wouldn’t have, but (with) Joba I did,” he said. “When it comes to pain thresholds and a lot of things I’ve seen this kid get through, not many people have done it.”

We'll see what happens, but to me this is just blind optimism from the manager.

Soriano Expected to Remain Closer After D-Rob Returns

From Jon Heyman:

The Yankees intend to keep Rafael Soriano as the closer even after David Robertson's return from the disabled list, people familiar with their thinking suggest.

Soriano has been brilliant as the Yankees' third choice to close and is six for six in saves with an overall ERA of 1.96 now. Robertson, the Yankees' shutdown set-up man, would resume his set-up duties upon his return, which is expected to be in about two weeks. Robertson has a strained left oblique muscle.

Robertson has been brilliant for the Yankees as their eighth-inning guy, but one scout said, "He didn't look quite as comfortable closing games.'' Robertson was the initial closing choice after Mariano Rivera was lost with a freak knee injury.

I am 100% in favor of this decision. Closing is all about comfort level and Robertson was not comfortable in that role. On the other hand, Soriano has done it before, and as he's already shown, he can handle the job.

Yanks Targeting Matt Garza

From Jon Heyman:

If the Yankees decide they need a starter at the trade deadline, and it's loooking more likely they might, the pitcher that interests them most is Matt Garza of the Cubs.

The Red Sox also could have interest in Garza, which could result in another showdown between baseball's biggest rivals. That would also represent a big benefit to the Cubs.

Yankees people like the fact Garza is battle-tested in the American League East after acquiring too many pitchers from the National League who haven't been able to make a seamless transition to the A.L. The Yankees seem to have little interest in Brewers stars Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum or the other top Cubs starter Ryan Dempster, as they have concerns about Greinke in New York and Marcum and Dempster in the A.L. Even though Marcum pitched pretty well for the Blue Jays, the Yankees are concerned about his low radar readings in the A.L.

A backup plan to Garza for the Yankees could be Houston's Wandy Rodriguez, who the Yankees pursued at last year's deadline. Last summer the Yankees offered to pay $21 million of what's left on Rodriguez's deal, which now amounts to $33 million through 2014 if he's traded (the '14 option becomes a player option if he's dealt).

After going 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA last year for the Cubs, Garza is 2-3 with a 4.22 over 9 starts this year. In 2010, his last season in the AL, Garza won 15 while posting a 3.91 ERA for Tampa. Rodriguez has gotten off to a much better start this year. Through 11 starts with Houston, he's 4-4, with an impressive 2.49 ERA.