Stoneburner Released, Bleich Demoted To Trenton

The Trenton Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced multiple roster moves to announce from the past 24 hours.
RHP Graham Stoneburner was released from his contract prior to Friday’s suspended ballgame. The right-hander began the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and allowed two runs in 9.0 innings over three appearances/one start. With the Thunder, Stoneburner went 2-4 with a 7.04 ERA with 39 runs and 61 hits allowed in 46.0 innings. In his final four outings, the Clemson University product tossed 20.1 innings with 37 hits allowed and 24 runs (21 ER).

Added to the Thunder roster to replace Stoneburner Friday night was RHP Mark Montgomery from Scranton. Montgomery did not appear in Friday’s suspended game, and has been transferred to the 7-day Disabled List Saturday.

LHP Jeremy Bleich has been transferred from Scranton back to the Thunder after making his first Triple-A start Thursday at Columbus. The 26-year old Bleich, allowed two hits through the first six innings, but then allowed the first three batters he faced in the seventh inning to reach before being removed from the game. He finished with the loss and was charged with four runs. This season with the Thunder, the Stanford University product is 4-5 with a 3.51 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 66.2 innings.

ICYMI: Yankees Add Seven To MLB Spring Camp

In case you missed it yesterday the New York Yankees added seven minor league players to major league camp as insurance in case they are needed. The list includes first basemen Kyle Roller, shortstop Cito Culver, third basemen Zach Wilson, RHP Joel De La Cruz, RHP Charley Short, RHP Graham Stoneburner, and shortstop Dan Fiorito. These men were called up just to fill in for all the split squad games the Yankees are playing lately but it was still cool to see Culver in Panama last night, even if the Yankees got no hit.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/4

All signs seem to be pointing to Francisco Cervelli being the personal catcher for Masahiro Tanaka. Cervelli is catching his bullpens and spending a ton of time with him, most recently at the Yankees bonding trip.Nothing is official obviously, especially this early in spring, but it seems to be looking that way.

Alfonso Soriano and Mark Teixeira are both on track to make their spring training debuts on Thursday. Matt Thornton is expected to make his spring debut tonight against the Baltimore Orioles.

Speaking of spring debuts Scott Sizemore will make his tonight donning Robinson Cano's #24 jersey. He will come off the bench to finish out the game, not start. Brian McCann is also penciled in to replace Derek Jeter as the DH tonight when he night is complete.

Pat Venditte is up for the day for some reason. No word on if he is available or if it is just an emergency situation. Also no word on whether he would throw with his left hand or right hand tonight if needed. Jeremy Bleich and Graham Stoneburner are also up for the day.

Chad Jennings has the assignments from today:

Today’s bullpen sessions:
Vidal Nuno (to Pete O’Brien)
Shane Greene (to John Ryan Murphy)
Bryan Mitchell (to Roman Rodriguez)
Michael Pineda (to Francisco Arcia)
Hiroki Kuroda (to Jose Gil)

· Today’s second string: C Gary Sanchez, 1B Francisco Arcia, 2B Scott Sizemore, SS Dean Anna, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Ramon Flores, CF Mason Williams, RF Antoan Richardson, DH Brian McCann

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Matt Thornton, Brian Gordon, Cesar Cabral, Chris Leroux, Chase Whitley and Preston Claiborne (Bruce Billings, Graham Stoneburner, Jeremy Bleich and Pat Venditte listed as available if necessary).

· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Port Charlotte:
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Dan Burawa, Robert Coello, Matt Daley, Jim Miller, Mark Montgomery, Yoshinori Tateyama
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, John Ryan Murphy, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Kelly Johnson, Corban Joseph, Addison Maruszak, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielers: Zoilo Almonte, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson, Ichiro Suzuki, Mason Williams