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| Bobby Abreu went 0-for-4 on Saturday and is now hitless in his last three games covering 12 AB to drop his average to .275. |
Our View: Abreu's counting numbers are still solid (48 runs, 10 HR, 55 RBI), but his ratios continue to lag behind his career performance, especially in the OBP category where he has realized a loss of about .060 points from his carer .405 mark. The overall production should make you happy enough, but it's clear that his days of stardom are in the rear window. |
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| Mike Mussina strengthened his all-star bid on Saturday as he held the Red Sox without a run over six innings to up his record to 11-6. Mussina allowed four hits, a walk, and struck out five in the win. |
Our View: Mussina looked completely lost last year with a 5.15 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, and despite barely reaching 89 mph with his fastball, he has seemingly turned back the clock this season, thanks in great part to just 16 walks in 18 starts. His margin for error remains small, but he continues to have success regardless. |
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| Mariano Rivera made it extremely interesting on Saturday night before nailing down his 23rd save of the year against the Red Sox. Rivera allowed a run, two hits, and hit Manny Ramirez with a pitch before picking up the save. |
Our View: Rivera has been so tremendous this year that he is bound to suffer a hiccup or two, but the fact that he still managed to earn a save in one of those outings is very encouraging. |
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| Johnny Damon wasn't placed on the DL prior to Saturday's game, but a move may still be coming. An X-ray and MRI revealed a sprained left acromioclavicular joint (shoulder), the AP reports. "He's sore and he's getting some treatment," manager Joe Girardi says. "There's a little bit of swelling in there." The skipper adds that he needs to talk with general manager Brian Cashman and head trainer Gene Monahan before the Yankees decide to make a move. |
Our View: Really? We have a hard time believing that Girardi, Cashman and Monahan haven't already discussed Damon's status. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect Damon to play for the rest of this weekend, and, frankly, it might be easier to set lineups for next week if the Yankees just make a move. |
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| Johnny Damon could be headed to the DL due to his sore left shoulder. The outfielder is eager to see how it feels on Saturday. "I think [today] is the most important day because if there's still a lot of pain [today], I think that's when we can judge how severe it is," Damon informs the New York Post. "But the way it feels right now, I know it's pretty painful." |
Our View: While this isn't good news, it's arguably the best time of year for such an injury. The All-Star game would allow Damon to miss only another week's worth of contests. Fantasy owners should expect to see a lot of Brett Gardner in the near future. |
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| An MRI revealed that Johnny Damon suffered a contusion and sprain of his left shoulder during Friday's battle against the Red Sox, according to the AP. Manager Joe Girardi said, "I think the big thing is tomorrow to see how sore he is, to see what type of range of motion he has." |
Our View: He is considered day-to-day and will be re-evaluated on Saturday. |
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| Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in Friday's tough 6-4 loss to the Red Sox at home. He hit a single and a double, his 18th of the season. |
Our View: A-Rod raised his average to .319 over 67 games, with 49 RBI. |
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| Darrell Rasner was lit up for six earned runs on 10 hits over five innings in Friday's 6-4 loss to the rival Red Sox, with three walks and two strikeouts. Mike Lowell took him deep for a three-run homer. |
Our View: Rasner is 4-7, and has lost three-straight decisions. He is best left on your bench. |
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| Johnny Damon has left today's Red Sox - Yankees contest after slamming into a fence attempting to make a catch, according to the Hartford Courant. |
Our View: The extent of Damon's injuries are not known at this time. We will keep you updated. |
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| Brian Bruney went two innings, giving up two hits and one run in a rehab appearance, according to the Associated Press. "My arm felt great, so I'm excited," he said. |
Our View: Bruney was good in relief this year, and though he doesn't hold much value in traditional fantasy formats, he may accumulate some holds when he comes back. |
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| Yankees starter Phil Hughes threw 90 feet from flat ground today, according to the Associated Press. He will attempt to throw off a mound in the coming weeks. |
Our View: Hughes has tantalized fantasy owners with his talent but has yet to really put it all together. He needs to stay healthy and put a few quality starts together in order to prove he is worthy of a spot on fantasy teams. |
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| Alberto Gonzalez was sent down to Triple-A, according to the Associated Press. "He needs to get some at-bats," Yankees manager Joe Girardi opined. |
Our View: Fantasy owners likely won't miss his .173 batting average. |
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| Billy Traber has been recalled by the Yankees from Triple-A, according to the Associated Press. "We felt we just needed another arm," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. |
Our View: Traber has not been good for the Yankees in his limited work this year. Do not consider him an option in fantasy leagues. |
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| Bobby Abreu is in the Yankees lineup hitting third against Josh Beckett, according to the Boston Globe. However, Abreu is hitting just .193 against Beckett, and has struck out 20 times in 57 at-bats against the big right-hander. |
Our View: If you have another option on your fantasy team's bench, today might be a good day to utilize him in place of Abreu. Striking out 35% of the time against a pitcher is not a good thing. |
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| Andy Pettitte didn't have much to offer his teammates in the 7-0 loss to the Red Sox on Thursday night in the Bronx. The left-hander allowed six runs (five earned), walked three and struck out two. Pettitte had been 6-0 since May 17 with a 3.54 ERA. |
Our View: Pettitte had a pitcher-friendly home plate umpire, and a slumping Boston lineup, and still struggled. |
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| The DNA of Roger Clemens will be found on syringes and other paraphernalia linked to steroid use, according to ESPN.com. The information comes from a brief filed in court by the lawyers for Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee. |
Our View: If you were hoping Clemens would come back in a bid to help your fantasy team, this information surely won't be of much help. |
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| Shelley Duncan separated his shoulder on Wednesday, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: GM Brian Cashman says he has not ruled out the possibility that the injury could end Duncan's season. |
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| Brett Gardner collected his first major league hit, RBI, walk and two runs for the Yankees on Wednesday night. |
Our View: Gardner also has two stolen bases. With Melky Cabrera slumping, Johnny Damon hurting, and Hideki Matsui on the DL, Gardner has some short term roto-value. |
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| Hideki Matsui may be sidelined until after the All-Star break, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: It appears the Yanks will take their time with Matsui, but he should produce in the second half as they look to make a charge towards the playoffs. |
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| Despite giving up seven earned runs in five innings of work, Sidney Ponson will make another start for the Yankees, according to the New York Post. "He's going to make another start," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. |
Our View: Ponson pitched well for the Rangers before being released, but his start Wednesday was not a good sign. Nothing in his peripheral numbers point to his continued success, not with a WHIP of 1.62, or the fact that he strikes out just four batters per nine innings while walking three per nine. |
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| Jorge Posada hasn't been successful in throwing out runners trying to steal, and the team has taken notice, according to New York Newsday. "We're staying with three catchers for a reason, because we're still evaluating how he's coming through this," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. |
Our View: The arm issue doesn't seem to be impeding Posada's offensive capabilities, which is the primary concern for fantasy owners. The longtime backstop is still hitting .293 and though he only has three home runs, is a viable fantasy option. |
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| Alex Rodriguez has split from his wife of nearly six years, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: It will be interesting to see if this affects A-Rod in any way, although if last night's game was any indication, it won't. Rodriguez hit his 17th home run of the season against the Rangers. |
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| Alex Rodriguez seems to have found inspiration from his meeting earlier this week with Madonna, going 2-for-3 with two walks and his 17th homer of the season this evening as the Yanks put the Rangers to bed, 18-7. A-Rod totaled three RBIs and four runs scored on the night. |
Our View: A-Rod was inspired before the Material Girl turned him on to the Kabala, hitting .366 through June with nine home runs and 23 RBIs. He's getting off to a strong start this month as well. Shocker. |
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| The Yankees found more than a few reasons for happiness this evening, posting 18 runs on 16 hits to triumph in dominating fashion over the Texas Rangers, 18-7. The man of the hour: Designated hitter Jason Giambi , going 2-for-4 at the plate with his 13th double and 18th homer of the season, totaling a whopping six RBIs and two runs scored on the night. |
Our View: Giambi added the moustache and started hitting, touting six homers for 19 RBIs last month while hitting .305 through June. If he stays hot through July, he may become the most feared hitter in a lineup bloated with All Stars. |
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| The New York Daily reports that less than a month after being cut by Texas, Sidney Ponson will have a chance to get a little payback Wednesday, when he takes the mound against the Rangers. Ponson didn't speak to New York media Tuesday. He claimed that he doesn't talk the day before he pitches. He did, however, offer up a few words to squash any idea that he had hard feelings saying "Look, they are just another team," |
Our View: Before Tuesday night's game, Rangers' skipper Ron Washington addressed Ponson's situation. "Of course he could pitch, he just didn't fit here," Washington said. "That was something that happened that was unavoidable and we wish him all the luck in the world. The Yankees need pitching and they picked him up. We never said he couldn't pitch. He will do well. I just hope not (Wednesday)." The Rangers designated Ponson for assignment on June 6, with Daniels citing him for "disrespecting teammates and club personnel." |
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| Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's tough 3-2 loss to the Rangers. The Yankees have now dropped three straight games. |
Our View: He has racked up multiple hits in four of his last seven outings, with eight RBI over the span. |
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| Joba Chamberlain allowed two earned runs on five hits over four innings in Tuesday's close 3-2 loss to Texas, with four walks and six strikeouts. He ended the night with a no decision. |
Our View: He still hasn't taken a loss over his last five starts, and he has allowed two or less earned runs in each outing over the span. |
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| Yankee legend Derek Jeter has been given the night off as the Yanks face the Rangers this evening, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Nothing to stress as Jeter is doing just fine. The team wants to give him a bit of rest. |
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| Alex Rodriguez will not participate in the All-Star game's annual Home Run Derby, declining an invitation, according to MLB.com. Rodriguez cited his obligation to the Yankees. |
Our View: Although the Home Run Derby will not see one of the game's most prolific sluggers participate, Yankees fans and fantasy owners are probably not too upset with his decision, as he eliminates a chance of injury. He is having a fabulous June, hitting .366 with nine home runs. |
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