Game 37 Lineup: Yankees @ Royals

Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells LF
Travis Hafner DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Jayson Nix SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Nelson 3B
Chris Stewart C

LHP Andy Pettitte

Curtis Granderson Homers In 2nd Rehab Game

In Curtis Granderson's second rehab game with the Scranton Railriders he went 1-5 with a home run while playing eight innings in left field. It is worth noting that Granderson's home run was the opposite field type so that is encouraging to go with his three ground outs and his strike out. Granderson is still in spring training mode so as long as he comes through these games healthy and knocks some rust off everything is good. The end of Ben Francisco draws just a little closer every at bat.

Yankees Bringing Up David Adams For 3B Soon

According to Mark Feinsand from the New York Daily News the Yankees are preparing to bring David Adams back on the 40 man roster and then promote him to New York to play 3B while Kevin Youkilis is on the disabled list. Since Adams was designated for assignment, released, and then re signed they cannot bring him (or Clay Rapada) back up until May 15th by the new collective bargaining agreements rules.

I cannot say I understand this because we just acquired Chris Nelson to do the same exact thing but I will say that I would rather have David Adams and his power bat up right now over Nelson. Granted we did not give up anything of use for Chris Nelson and he filled the spot while David Adams could not be called up but still. If Nelson is the one DFA'd for Adams then I guess I can see the logic and I cannot see anybody else getting the ax to make room for him. For those clamoring for a Ben Francisco DFA that is going to come when Granderson comes back not for David Adams.

David has been the regular third baseman down in Scranton although he has played some second base, his natural position, and has taken some reps at first base as well here recently. Adams could provide some real depth since we do not have a viable back up option for Robinson Cano or Lyle Overbay at this time. Adams is a right handed hitter that has put up a .314/.404/.477 triple slash with six doubles and two home runs for the Railriders team.

Congratulation Joe Girardi On 500th Win

Congratulations manager Joe Girardi on his 500th win as the Yankees manager last night in a 11-6 rout of the Kansas City Royals. Say what you will about Joe Girardi, the binder, or whatever else but the guys wins baseball games and probably wins a lot of baseball games that Joe Torre wouldn't so he is okay in my book. Nobody reads my book but I felt like it should be said anyway so congrats again Joe and here's to 500 more victories in pinstripes.

Yankees Release Juan Cedeno & Shaeffer Hall

The Yankees have given an unconditional release to left handed Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders pitcher Juan Cedeno. The move was caused by, directly or indirectly, Caleb Cotham coming off the DL and a roster move being needed. Cedeno was originally added to the DL himself before getting released. Shaeffer Hall is another lefty reliever pitching for the Trenton Thunder that was also released today for some reason. You don't see teams get rid of effective young lefties often so both of these moves are real head scratchers.

Yankees Daily Injury Updates

Eduardo Nunez hit in the cage today and experienced no pain in that sore rib cage muscle and is expected to be back tomorrow against Kansas City. In an emergency situation he could play tonight but the Yankees want to give him one more day if they can just to be sure.

Chris Stewart is obviously okay after bunting that ball off of his knee in last night's win over Colorado. I know I am a little late to the party but I felt like it needed mentioning.

Kevin Youkilis did some work out for the first time since being placed on the DL with a lumbar sprain in his lower back. Youk is no where near ready to come off the DL just yet but any progress is progress at this point.

Joba Chamberlain threw a bullpen session today and expects to throw another one tomorrow in Tampa. If he comes through both of these tests then the Yankees will begin discussing a rehab assignment. Every sign points to Joba being activated the day he is eligible. My question is how can you send down Preston Claiborne when Joba is healthy?

Yankees Have A Little Fun With Mariano Rivera

This is the spot where Mariano Rivera tore his ACL last May shagging fly balls in Kansas City. It's funny now... kind of. At least Mo has a sense of humor about these things.

New York Yankees @ Kansas City Royals 5/10

The New York Yankees will travel to Kansas City to play the Kansas City Royals in a weekend series at Kauffman Stadium. If you remember correctly it was little less than a year ago when Mariano Rivera tore his ACL shagging fly balls in Kansas City so hopefully Mariano takes it easy this weekend. The Yankees will send Phil Hughes to the mound to face off with Wade Davis. The game will be televised at 8:10 pm ET on YES, MLB Network, and MLB TV.

Dellin Betances To The Bullpen

Joel Sherman recently broke news that surprises just about nobody.

"...the Yankees have decided to move Betances to the bullpen at Triple-A"

The reason for the move, given by Brian Cashman, is that Dellin is out of options so the team has pretty much gotten to the point where it was one (starter) or the other (reliever). Given Dellin's issues with control, the team has decided to go with "the other".

Betances has an ERA of 6.09, along with a WHIP of 1.721, in 119.2 innings pitched in AAA. The main culprit for such ineffectiveness lies in his walk rate, which in AAA stands at a gigantic 7.5 BB/9.

I'm sure Dellin's right arm problems, which have ranged from his forearm to his elbow to his shoulder, is the reason, which means that perhaps he still has a good future in baseball. But the time has come for the Yankees to make a decision, and they feel that Betances' chances of helping the team more will come from the bullpen.

I can't say I blame them. Heck, this decision probably should have been made a while ago.

Game 36 Lineup: Yankees @ Royals

Ah, Kansas City. I never thought I would be so glad to see the DH spot in the lineup. Speaking of which, here's your lineup! 

Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells LF
Travis Hafner DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Jayson Nix SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Nelson 3B
Chris Stewart C

RHP Phil Hughes

Notes:

-- Eduardo Nunez isn't in the lineup again--BUT he did take BP and said he feels fine. He hopes he can play tomorrow.

-- David Robertson and Mariano Rivera are unavailable for tonight's game. I would imagine Preston Claiborne is unavailable as well.

-- Last night the Yankees made a trade with the Chicago Cubs. They received SS Alberto Gonzalez in exchange for cash. Does the name Alberto Gonzalez sound familiar? He was a part of the Randy Johnson deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks years ago. He'll start in Triple-A since he's not on the 40-man roster.

-- Curtis Granderson played right field last night for Scranton. Brian Cashman revealed that he wanted to try Granderson in RF and LF because Joe Girardi came to him, raving about Brett Gardner's defense in CF.

-- Speaking of Joe Girardi, Girardi is trying to notch his 500th win as the manager of the New York Yankees.

-- Robinson Cano had his 1,500th career hit yesterday vs. the Colorado Rockies and before receiving the real ball, Steve Donahue gave him a dummy ball. What was on the dummy ball? "1500: Hopper through the infield."