Mark Teixeira suffered a bruised right knee, during the New York Yankees 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox, when the New York Yankees first baseman was hit by Red Sox reliever Alfredo Aceves in the top of the seventh inning on Thursday night.
Teixeira initially stayed in the game to run bases and play his position, but was forced to leave before the bottom of the inning after his knee stiffened up.
If you listen to the audio of the errant pitch, it sounds like a ball hitting a bat followed by an alley cat's "yeowwww" by Teixeira. Nasty.
Following the inning, Yankees assistant trainer Steve Donahue told "Tex" he wouldn't be able to play the whole game.
"You're not going back out there," he told the hobbled Teixeira.
Now it looks like the slugger will be missing some games this weekend.
Teixeira was drilled in the back of his knee by an 83 mph cutter by the former Yankee. While Teixeira was lucky it wasn't a fastball, the ball hitting the back of his knee still sounded pretty bad and he went down hard.
Derek Jeter suffered the same kind of bruise last weekend and it cost him a couple of games. Jeter's bruise was on the front of his knee.
Teixeira did not get an X-ray and wore a wrap on the sore knee after the game. He must be getting used to being used as a target-- it's the 11th time Tex has been hit this season.
"It got just real stiff. I couldn't move," he said after the game. "It's real stiff right now."
The switch-hitter's absence could be a problem against Toronto this weekend. The Yankees will miss his big bat especially since Alex Rodriguez is already recuperating from a sore thumb. Teixeira has 35 home runs and has knocked in 100 runs this season and the Gold Glover's fielding is a pitcher's best friend.
If Teixeira misses any games, the void will probably be filled by the capable Nick Swisher. Andruw Jones would take Swisher's place in right field.
There is still no word on the severity of the bruise or how long Teixeira will be out.
Showing posts with label Nick Swisher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nick Swisher. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Fan Offers Cash Reward To Angels Torii Hunter During Game At Yankee Stadium
Los Angeles Angels rightfielder, Torii Hunter picked up a pair of glasses that fell onto the field at Yankee Stadium during last night's game, and handed them back to the man in the stands who then dangles a ten-dollar bill at the player as a reward. If it was a bribe for something, it was way too small.
The funny exchange took place during the bottom of the fourth inning of the Yankees/Angels game after Nick Swisher jacked a long fly ball that headed towards the man and what looks like his family (they're all wearing the same type of brand-new Yankees gear).
Hunter catches the ball but also catches a glimpse of the glasses below the right-field stands where the man is hanging over the rail.
Hunter hands the the specs back to the guy, but refuses to take the bill as a reward.
Does this guy know that Hunter is in the fourth year of a five-year, $90 million contract?
Anyway, ten bucks won't even get you a beer and a hot dog in the House That Ruth Built.
If the guy was trying to bribe him to drop the next ball, the Angels won, 6-4.
The funny exchange took place during the bottom of the fourth inning of the Yankees/Angels game after Nick Swisher jacked a long fly ball that headed towards the man and what looks like his family (they're all wearing the same type of brand-new Yankees gear).
Hunter catches the ball but also catches a glimpse of the glasses below the right-field stands where the man is hanging over the rail.
Hunter hands the the specs back to the guy, but refuses to take the bill as a reward.
Does this guy know that Hunter is in the fourth year of a five-year, $90 million contract?
Anyway, ten bucks won't even get you a beer and a hot dog in the House That Ruth Built.
If the guy was trying to bribe him to drop the next ball, the Angels won, 6-4.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Girardi: Jeter Will Be Leadoff Hitter...Probably
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he is sticking with Derek Jeter batting in the leadoff spot right now, but his endorsement didn't sound like it was etched in stone.
With the aftermath of the Derek Jeter 3,000th hit love fest over the weekend behind him, Girardi is getting back to the main task at hand, namely, keeping pace with the Boston Red Sox and juggling an injury-plagued lineup.
There was no way Girardi was going to take Jeter out of the leadoff spot with number 3,000 within his grasp at Yankee stadium, but now Girardi has to make the practical decision about who will most benefit the team in the first spot of the Yankees lineup.
Jeter was in his familiar role of Yankees leadoff batter on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Jeter, himself, might have made Girardi's choice a little easier. The Yankees shortstop's magnificent 5-for-5 day on Saturday might not have been a mirage. Jeter is batting .391 in five games since coming off the DL. Girardi sounded confident of Jeter's ability to stay in the top of the lineup, but there was a twinge of non-commitment to his comments.
"Yes I can tell you, there's probably a good chance he's going to hit leadoff on Thursday," said Girardi. "I'm not sure who we're facing (in Toronto) but right he's our leadoff hitter. People talk about when Swish (Nick Swisher) comes back, will it be Swish? Well, Swish led off only against lefties, but Derek's numbers against lefties are really good. So would you lead off with Gardy (Brett Gardner) against righties? I'm probably going to stick with Jeter."
The 37 year-old Jeter is thoroughly to focused on getting the Yankees into the playoffs after becoming the 28th player to collect 3,000 hits in the momentous game against the Tampa Bay Rays. His Saturday night celebration sounded like it was shorter than his 3K trot around the bases.
"I went to sleep," laughed Jeter asked about the after-party. "Just with family and friends. I had to play and I don't really recover like I used to."
Jeter has owned the leadoff spot since 1996 and hopes all the attention surrounding the milestone hit and scrutiny about his calf injury is behind him. Girardi only wants the stability of penciling a single player's name into the leadoff spot.
"I don't want to change the lineup everyday. It makes it difficult on our players," said Girardi. "I might have to move around, but right now, Derek's my leadoff guy."
Jeter is skipping the All-Star game to rest up. There will be a wait-and-see period to see if Jeter is his old self.
Girardi has realistic expectations.
"Is he hitting .320 like he did in 2009," Girardi wondered aloud. "No, he's not. But are you convinced he can't hit .320 in the second half? That would be my question to everyone."
The Captain said he feels like he's recovered enough from the strained calf which kept him out of pinstripes for three weeks.
"Any time you feel good you want it to continue as long as it can," Jeter said.
With the aftermath of the Derek Jeter 3,000th hit love fest over the weekend behind him, Girardi is getting back to the main task at hand, namely, keeping pace with the Boston Red Sox and juggling an injury-plagued lineup.
There was no way Girardi was going to take Jeter out of the leadoff spot with number 3,000 within his grasp at Yankee stadium, but now Girardi has to make the practical decision about who will most benefit the team in the first spot of the Yankees lineup.
Jeter was in his familiar role of Yankees leadoff batter on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Jeter, himself, might have made Girardi's choice a little easier. The Yankees shortstop's magnificent 5-for-5 day on Saturday might not have been a mirage. Jeter is batting .391 in five games since coming off the DL. Girardi sounded confident of Jeter's ability to stay in the top of the lineup, but there was a twinge of non-commitment to his comments.
"Yes I can tell you, there's probably a good chance he's going to hit leadoff on Thursday," said Girardi. "I'm not sure who we're facing (in Toronto) but right he's our leadoff hitter. People talk about when Swish (Nick Swisher) comes back, will it be Swish? Well, Swish led off only against lefties, but Derek's numbers against lefties are really good. So would you lead off with Gardy (Brett Gardner) against righties? I'm probably going to stick with Jeter."
The 37 year-old Jeter is thoroughly to focused on getting the Yankees into the playoffs after becoming the 28th player to collect 3,000 hits in the momentous game against the Tampa Bay Rays. His Saturday night celebration sounded like it was shorter than his 3K trot around the bases.
"I went to sleep," laughed Jeter asked about the after-party. "Just with family and friends. I had to play and I don't really recover like I used to."
Jeter has owned the leadoff spot since 1996 and hopes all the attention surrounding the milestone hit and scrutiny about his calf injury is behind him. Girardi only wants the stability of penciling a single player's name into the leadoff spot.
"I don't want to change the lineup everyday. It makes it difficult on our players," said Girardi. "I might have to move around, but right now, Derek's my leadoff guy."
Jeter is skipping the All-Star game to rest up. There will be a wait-and-see period to see if Jeter is his old self.
Girardi has realistic expectations.
"Is he hitting .320 like he did in 2009," Girardi wondered aloud. "No, he's not. But are you convinced he can't hit .320 in the second half? That would be my question to everyone."
The Captain said he feels like he's recovered enough from the strained calf which kept him out of pinstripes for three weeks.
"Any time you feel good you want it to continue as long as it can," Jeter said.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Life Without Derek Jeter Ain't So Bad For The Yankees
It's only been a week since Derek Jeter strained his calf muscle and the Yankees had the monumental task of placing The Captain and his quest for his 3,000th base hit on ice. Jeter reluctantly went on the 15-day DL and now the Yankees seem to be sailing along nicely without their team leader.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter's replacement, 24 year-old Eduardo Nunez, isn't Derek Jeter circa 1998, but has handled himself adequately at the plate. In 77 at-bats, Nunez has knocked in 11 runs with two home-runs and eight stolen bases.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
"I feel good you know? It's my opportunity to show I can play," said Nunez. "But I keep telling you, I don't want to think like that. Some one goes down like Jeter, in two weeks, he'll be back in the same place."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
The spunky left-fielder is batting .360 over his last 51 games and his average is creeping to .300. He has eight multi-hit games over the last 14 games.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time For Yankees Girardi To Make The Switch From Swish
It's been hard to watch Nick Swisher struggle at the plate while the New York Yankees bob-and-weave their way through the AL East, but it's even tougher to seeing Andruw Jones gathering rust in the dugout.
Last night, Jones was the knockout punch after he went 3-for-3 with 2 home-runs and 4 RBI's in the Yankees 7-3 win over division-rival the Toronto Blue Jays. Swisher's struggles continued as he went 0-for-3 and his average dropped to a miniscule .204.
It's time for Yankees manager Joe Girardi to make a move in right field and give Jones more at-bats.
Jones has been used sparingly since he signed a one-year deal with the team for $2 million. The reserve right-fielder/DH is batting .240 with 4 home-runs and 7 RBI's in 50 at-bats.
Swisher, meanwhile, has been consistent this year--consistently horrible. He has 2 home-runs and 19 RBI's to go with that barely-beating average in 152 at-bats.
It seems like a no-brainer, but it's not an easy call for Girardi. Swisher is one of the best liked players on the team, among teammates and fans, and played a major part in the Yankees 2009 World Series run. But facts are facts and Swisher is a black hole in the line-up right now.
Girardi always allows the regular players to get their fair share of time in so they can gain momentum and not lose confidence. Swisher's 152 at-bats has been enough time for him to lose momentum and confidence in one fair shake. Through it all, Swisher keeps smiling.
Jones' confidence is what Girardi should be nurturing. Especially with a rugged 19 game schedule facing the Yankees over the course of the next three weeks. Three weeks that could be the barometer of which direction the Yankees are headed.
The Yankees begin a nine-game west coast swing against three of the top four team pitching ERA's in the AL--the Seattle Mariners, the Oakland A's and Los Angeles Angels-- before coming home to three power-packed line-ups--the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
Girardi will need all the fire power he can muster.
The 34 year-old Jones knows his place on this team but, besides being a solid hitter, is a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
"It was a great day, you know," said Jones after yesterday's victory. "I had three swings today, I got three hits. So that's what I'm looking for."
Last year, with the Chicago White Sox, Jones was a back-up, but got 276 at-bats due to injuries to Carlos Quentin, and still banged out 19 home-runs.
The Yankees have shopped around the idea of adding another big bat. Jorge Posada's woes as DH and Swisher's light hitting have to be a concern to Girardi, even though the manager stuck with Brett Gardner through his slump until the left-fielder found his groove. Maybe Jones' bat has been the answer all along.
Jones' grin is a little puffier than the 19 year-old Atlanta Brave who batted .400 against the Yankees in the 1996 World Series or when he hit 51 homers in 2005, but the pop is still in his bat. Yesterday, one of his blasts cleared the 408-foot wall in centerfield.
For now Jones is thankful for any playing time.
"Everybody wants to play more," said Jones. "Nobody wants to be on the bench and watch the game."
Maybe it's time for Jones to stop watching. He deserves a shot.
Last night, Jones was the knockout punch after he went 3-for-3 with 2 home-runs and 4 RBI's in the Yankees 7-3 win over division-rival the Toronto Blue Jays. Swisher's struggles continued as he went 0-for-3 and his average dropped to a miniscule .204.
It's time for Yankees manager Joe Girardi to make a move in right field and give Jones more at-bats.
Swisher, meanwhile, has been consistent this year--consistently horrible. He has 2 home-runs and 19 RBI's to go with that barely-beating average in 152 at-bats.
It seems like a no-brainer, but it's not an easy call for Girardi. Swisher is one of the best liked players on the team, among teammates and fans, and played a major part in the Yankees 2009 World Series run. But facts are facts and Swisher is a black hole in the line-up right now.
Girardi always allows the regular players to get their fair share of time in so they can gain momentum and not lose confidence. Swisher's 152 at-bats has been enough time for him to lose momentum and confidence in one fair shake. Through it all, Swisher keeps smiling.
Jones' confidence is what Girardi should be nurturing. Especially with a rugged 19 game schedule facing the Yankees over the course of the next three weeks. Three weeks that could be the barometer of which direction the Yankees are headed.
The Yankees begin a nine-game west coast swing against three of the top four team pitching ERA's in the AL--the Seattle Mariners, the Oakland A's and Los Angeles Angels-- before coming home to three power-packed line-ups--the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
Girardi will need all the fire power he can muster.
The 34 year-old Jones knows his place on this team but, besides being a solid hitter, is a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
"It was a great day, you know," said Jones after yesterday's victory. "I had three swings today, I got three hits. So that's what I'm looking for."
Last year, with the Chicago White Sox, Jones was a back-up, but got 276 at-bats due to injuries to Carlos Quentin, and still banged out 19 home-runs.
The Yankees have shopped around the idea of adding another big bat. Jorge Posada's woes as DH and Swisher's light hitting have to be a concern to Girardi, even though the manager stuck with Brett Gardner through his slump until the left-fielder found his groove. Maybe Jones' bat has been the answer all along.
Jones' grin is a little puffier than the 19 year-old Atlanta Brave who batted .400 against the Yankees in the 1996 World Series or when he hit 51 homers in 2005, but the pop is still in his bat. Yesterday, one of his blasts cleared the 408-foot wall in centerfield.
For now Jones is thankful for any playing time.
"Everybody wants to play more," said Jones. "Nobody wants to be on the bench and watch the game."
Maybe it's time for Jones to stop watching. He deserves a shot.
