Spring Training Notes 2/19/13: Hughes, Montgomery, Ichiro, Gardner, Phelps, Teixeira, Cano

There are a lot of notes from a lot of players today, so let's skip the chit-chat for today and review everything that went on in Yankee camp.

-- Phil Hughes has been shut down by the Yankees for a few days after experiencing soreness in his upper back. However, according to Girardi, we shouldn't worry too much about Hughes's injury since its in the upper part of his back.

"It's upper back, up here by his shoulder blades, so we'll see how he is in a couple of days. The good thing is he was ahead of where he probably would normally be at this time which helps. You're usually more concerned about the lower lingering. But until it's gone, it's going to linger. That's like, a Yogi-ism."

-- After experiencing discomfort in his back, Mark Montgomery played catch today. Montgomery was also throwing to hitters earlier in Spring Training, and the Yankees should expect to get the young pitcher back soon.

-- Ichiro Suzuki is known for his behind his back catches when he's shagging fly balls in the outfield, and Brett Gardner wanted to see it for himself. After the media spotted Ichiro making a catch from behind his back, they went to Gardner who was in the outfield with him during outfield drills, and Gardner admitted that he was the one who told Ichiro to do it, with a smile on his face.

"It's my fault." Gardner laughed. "I told him to do it."

Gardner is already one-up on Joe Girardi, since Girardi has heard of the catches but never had seen one in person. I guess all he has to do to see one is ask Ichiro. Honestly, Ichiro sounds like a lot of fun to be around.

-- Joe Girardi chose David Phelps as the starter for Saturday's game (which is not televised). Adam Warren will pitch in Sunday's game (which is televised on YES).

-- Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano are preparing for the World Baseball Classic, meaning that they both would leave camp earlier this year. Robinson Cano is leaving camp March 2nd while Mark Teixeira is leaving camp March 3rd. That gives both players to get in some Yankees games before heading out and representing their country. Don't worry Yankees fans. Robinson Cano will be back on March 6th when Team Dominican Republic plays the Yankees at GMS Field. Should be a lot of fun.