Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees entered the 2017 campaign believing they would have much better performance from their first basemen after a dormant 2016 season. Instead, Yankees first basemen rank dead last in MLB in each component of the triple slash line (.176/.288/.301) and OPS+ (45, with 100 considered average).

The drain at the position in 2016 was disappointing, but the club was optimistic for 2017 with Tyler Austin set to build on last season's cameo, Greg Bird back and healthy, and 2016 National League home run co-leader Chris Carter signed for added power.

Austin was hurt before a competition at first base could begin, allowing Bird to win the job with a fantastic spring training, while Carter was relegated to the bench...

Yankees 1B Greg Bird took dry swings on Monday at Yankee Stadium and should advance to hitting off a tee and from soft tosses on Tuesday, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

"It felt good today. Felt really good," the first baseman told the New York Daily News.

On Wednesday, Bird will hit in the batting cage before taking Thursday off. The 24-year old will then take two days of batting practice over the weekend before flying down to Tampa on Sunday. In Tampa, Bird will take a few days of batting practice and live at bats before starting a rehab assignment there, and then continuing his rehab assignment in Scranton.

The BNNY panel discusses Michael Pineda pitching like the ace in the starting rotation and shares their thoughts on the 'Judge's Chambers.'

Three Yankees hit home runs while Michael Pineda won his second straight start as New York beat the Kansas City Royals, 4-2, Monday at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Brett Gardner, Didi Gregorius and Chris Carter each homered to power the Yankees to their second straight win.

Pineda (5-2) gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings to win his second straight outing against Kansas City. He struck out five batters in six innings in an 11-7 win last Wednesday.

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to begin throwing next week after he went on the disabled list due to a shoulder injury, according to YES Network.

Chapman hasn't pitched since May 12 and went on the disabled list two days later due to rotator cuff inflammation. He had been feeling shoulder discomfort for weeks before the Yankees placed him on the DL.

Chapman was scheduled to meet with a team physician before Monday's game against the Kansas City Royals, but manager Joe Girardi did not have a definitive update when talking to the media.

"Originally we said (Chapman) would not be throwing for two weeks," Girardi said, according to NJ.com's Randy Miller. "It's only been a week. But he does feel better, so that would be my update."

Alex Rodriguez believes Yankees rookie Aaron Judge "has a chance to be historic," he told John Harper of the NY Daily News.

Rodriguez had the chance to analyze two of New York's biggest phenoms in Judge and Mets outfielder Michael Conforto in his broadcast debut this past week for FOX. 

Harper asked Rodriguez which player he would choose to have the better career, and Rodriguez stayed loyal to the pinstripes.

"Tough question," Rodriguez said. "I think they're both going to be All-Stars for years to come. But Judge has a chance to be historic. He's 6-foot-7, he benches 450 pounds, he's got a great idea at the plate."

The New York Yankees (25-16) begin a four-game series at home against the Kansas City Royals (18-25) on Monday at Yankee Stadium.

The New York Yankees are promoting top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, according to MLB.com's Matt Kardos.

Torres is considered one of the top prospects in baseball according to several outlets. MLB.com ranked him the No. 3 prospect and the Yankees the No. 2 farm system, while ESPN's Keith Law ranked him the No. 4 prospect in January.

"He checked every box necessary in that league [Eastern League]," Brian Cashman told Joel Sherman of the New York Post in explaining why Torres is being promoted.

After Cashman received the go-ahead from minor league head Gary Denbo to promote Torres on Saturday. the general manager ran the idea by all of his departments, such as scouting and analytics, and everyone approved of the promotion.

Dellin Betances continued his impressive season on Sunday, recording the final four outs of the game to pick up his second save of the season.

Betances needed only 16 pitches to retire the final four batters, racking up three strikeouts on the way to a 3-2 New York victory.

The 29-year old, who recently took over as the Yankees' closer with Aroldis Chapman on the DL, has not surrendered an earned run since April 8.

Brett Gardner hit a three-run home run, CC Sabathia limited the Rays to two runs in five innings, and the Yankees' bullpen tossed four scoreless innings as New York avoided a three-game sweep in Tampa. >> Click here for the full box score

CC Sabathia struck out six batters and walked one in a 95-pitch effort. After allowing a run in the first inning, Sabathia threw three scoreless innings before giving up a solo shot in the fifth. 

Didi Gregorius went 4-for-4 with an RBI, raising his batting average to .322 on the season. Gardner had two hits and Jacoby Ellsbury added a double.

New York Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka lost his second straight start on Saturday when he gave up six runs and nine hits in three innings in a 9-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

Tanaka (5-3) left the game in the bottom of the fourth inning after five straight batters reached base, including Corey Dickerson, whose second home run of the game gave Tampa Bay a 6-3 lead.

"We have to get him right," manager Joe Girardi said, according to the New York Daily News' Mike Mazzeo. "I thought his slider was better today. I thought his splitter was better at times. But he made some mistakes with his fastball. His stuff was better than his last start, but it's not where we need it to be. And we've got to continue to work on it."

In the latest installment of JR Sport Brief on SNY.tv, JR debates whether former Yankee Alex Rodriguez is a changed man.

The Yankees (24-16) will try to avoid a sweep as they wrap up their series with the Tampa Bay Rays (23-22) at Kauffman Stadium at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Masahiro Tanaka allowed six runs on nine hits, Tommy Layne allowed three additional runs, and the Yankees fell to the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-5, on Saturday at Tropicana Field. >> Click here for the full box score

Luis Severino limited the Rays to just one run in five innings on Friday night, but the Yankees' bullpen allowed four runs in the final four frames in a 5-4 loss.

Jonathan Holder pitched a scoreless sixth inning, but Adam Warren allowed three runs on three hits in the seventh, and only recorded two outs before Chasen Shreve entered to finish the inning.

Tyler Clippard pitched the eighth, but struggled with command and walked two batters before Evan Longoria hit an RBI single to tack on what ended up being the decisive run.

Yankees outfielder Matt Holliday hit his eighth home run of the year Friday night, but the Rays beat the Yankees, 5-4, at Tropicana Field. The two-run shot tied the game in the top of the eighth inning before Evan Longoria's single in the bottom half of the frame put the Rays right back ahead.

Starlin Castro and Jacoby Ellsbury also collected RBI for New York. Starting pitcher Luis Severino went five innings, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out seven. 

The Yankees have now lost three in a row and seven of their last 10. They will look to get back on track Saturday as the series against the Rays continues with an afternoon tilt at 4:10 p.m.

Yankees LHP Jordan Montgomery struggled last night, allowing five earned runs on four hits and three walks in five innings.

Montgomery surrendered two early runs to the Royals and was unable to recover. Mike Moustakas added a fifth inning, three-run home run to extend Kansas City's lead to 5-0.

The 24-year old has now allowed nine earned runs in his last 11.0 innings spanning two starts.

Danny Duffy pitched seven shutout innings, Mike Moustakas hit a three-run homer, and the Royals cruised to a 5-1 win over the Yankees at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday. >> Click here for the full box score

The Yankees (23-13) will go for the sweep as they wrap up their series with the Kansas City Royals (16-23) at Kauffman Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday night. 

The Yankees' bats came alive and backed starter Michael Pineda as New York beat the Royals, 11-7, on Wednesday night in Kansas City. >> Click here for the full box score

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is pleased with the team's play through the first month and half, especially the effort of the young core. 

With that in mind, Steinbrenner said at Wednesday's owners meetings that he'd prefer not to trade any of the team's prospects away, if possible. 

The Yankees (23-13) look to continue their winning ways in Kansas City as they take on the Royals (16-22) at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday night. 
 

Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild is working with Masahiro Tanaka to fix some mechanical issues in hopes of getting the team's ace back on track after his recent struggles.

"Larry talked to him today about some mechanical things. Hopefully they get it ironed out,'' manager Joe Girardi told George A. King III of the New York Post. "I think his front shoulder was flying [open] a bit [Sunday]. Sometimes they're mechanical and we have to iron them out. He hasn't had a good splitter and slider for most of the year.''

In his most recent start, Tanaka lasted only 1 2/3 innings against the Astros, allowing eight runs on seven hits, including four home runs.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have plenty of young talent on their roster, but because Starlin Castro is in his eighth season in the big leagues, it's easy to forget he's just 27 years old. Castro is in his baseball prime and based on his performance so far this season, he might be poised to tap into the potential some expected years ago.

At age-21 in 2011, Castro led the National League in hits (207) in just his second season and expectations heightened for the then-shortstop. Castro never reached the presumed zenith in Chicago and after a couple of rough seasons, he was traded to New York.

CC Sabathia pitched a 6.2 inning shutout on the way to the Yankees' 7-1 win in the first game of their three-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday evening. >> Box score

President Randy Levine expressed the utmost confidence in new Yankees closer Dellin Betances on Tuesday, via a report from FanRag's Jon Heyman.

Betances has taken over the closer role in New York after Aroldis Chapman was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an inflamed rotator cuff.

"He's going to do great," Levine said. "He's ready. I have full confidence he'll do a great job. 

The Yankees (22-13) begin a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, OF Aaron Judge surprised Yankees fans in Bryant Park.

Click below to watch

The Daily News Live panel discuss if New York will ever see another athlete as successful on and off the field as Derek Jeter.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman felt pain and discomfort in his shoulder for weeks before alerting the team, he told reporters on Sunday.

Chapman was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Sunday due to left rotator cuff inflammation and could miss roughly a month.

"I heard Chapman tell you guys that, and all I can tell you is that he didn't mention anything," GMBrian Cashman said Monday, according to Dan Martin of the NY Post. "We check every day with the trainers to see what they're doing or if anyone is deviating from their routine. That's all you can do."

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

Masahiro Tanaka has made eight starts for the Yankees this season. The bookends have been utter disasters, and maybe worse, what's been in between has been mediocre outside of one start. Tanaka's performance so far this season has both short-term and long-term consequences for the Yankees.
  
Short-term impact

Tanaka is paid to be the ace of this club. Whether you agree he is or is not, Tanaka is expected to perform as such by the Yankees. And quite honestly, Tanaka expects it of himself as well. When the fans are treated to such a dismal performance the boo birds will be in full force.

"I didn't do my job," Tanaka told Newsday. "They have all the right to boo me."

In the latest installment of JR Sport Brief on SNY.tv, JR lays out his case for why Derek Jeter is the most successful New York athlete.

Masahiro Tanaka gave up four home runs in his shortest outing of the season as the New York Yankees lost Game 2 of a doubleheader to the Houston Astros, 10-7, Sunday at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Tanaka (5-2) allowed eight runs and seven hits in just 1 2/3 innings, allowing back-to-back home runs to George Springer and Josh Reddick to lead off the game.

Later in the first inning, he surrendered a grand slam to Alex Bregman that gave the Astros a 6-0 lead.

The New York Yankees honored legendary captain Derek Jeter by giving him a plaque in Monument Park and retiring his No. 2 on Sunday night.

Jeter spent his entire 20-year career in Pinstripes, winning five World Series titles with New York and recording the most hits in franchise history. 

The last Yankee player to wear a single-digit number, Jeter's No. 2 was officially retired and placed in Monument Park, joining the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio.

The New York Yankees look to sweep their doubleheader against the Houston Astros when they play Game 2 on Sunday at 7:38 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

Who's pitching for the Yankees:

Masahiro Tanaka (5-1, 4.36 ERA) looks to win his sixth start in a row after giving up four runs (three earned) in seven innings against the Cincinnati Reds last Monday. Tanaka, 28, has pitched into the seventh inning in each of his last five starts, recording a 2.78 ERA and holding batters to a .237 batting average in that span. He is 3-0 with a 3.66 ERA in three starts at home this year.

Chase Headley hit a bases-clearing, two-out triple in the seventh inning to key a six-run rally as the New York Yankees beat the Houston Astros, 11-6, Sunday in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

After Matt Holliday had an RBI infield single and Starlin Castro a game-tying double, Headley lined a Chris Devenski changeup into the right-center field gap to give New York a 9-6 lead.

The Yankees took a 4-3 lead in the fourth inning on back-to-back home runs by Castro and Aaron Judge, but squandered it when Adam Warren (1-0) gave up three runs in the top of the seventh inning on a Joey Gattis single, Castro error and Yulieski Gurriel sac fly.

The Yankees will play the first game of a doubleheader with the Astros today at 2:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees-Astros matchup on Saturday was rained out. The second game of Saturday's doubleheader will begin following the Derek Jeter Pregame ceremony, which is slated to take place to earler than 6:35 p.m. The second game will begin no earlier than 7:35 p.m.

The Yankees have promoted RHP Chance Adams from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

Adams will make his first Triple-A start on Monday against Pawtucket, according to the team. Read about his most recent start in our Yankees Minor League Report from Friday.

The 22-year-old has posted a 4-0 record and a 1.03 ERA through six starts this season with Trenton. He pitched in three spring training games for the Yankees earlier this year, allowing one run on three hits. He walked five batters and struck out four. 

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is in the midst of a swoon, as he has given up four runs and six hits in his last two outings -- which both lasted shorter than an inning. 

Chapman blew his first save of the season against the Cubs on May 7 and then failed to get out of the top of the ninth inning on Friday evening versus the Astros. The left-hander went five days in between appearances and even received a visit from the trainer on Friday when he shook his arm following a delivery to Jose Altuve. 

"Tonight is a night when he is usually not in the game, but he hasn't thrown in a while," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after the game versus the Astros. "I could have left him out there, but I didn't want him to throw too many pitches."

The Yankees will not play game three of their four-game set against the Houston Astros on Saturday because of weather conditions. Mike Fiers and Luis Severino were set to take the mound for their respective teams at 1:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. 

Instead, the Yankees and Astros will make up the game as part of a Sunday doubleheader that will begin at 2:05 p.m. ET and conclude with the final game of the series at 7:35 p.m. ET. 

The doubleheader will be single admission, meaning tickets dated for Saturday, May 13 will not be valid and will need to be used at a later date for another Yankee home game. 

The Yankees manufactured only one run against Lance McCullers and three Astros relievers in a 5-1 loss at Yankee Stadium on Friday evening. >> Box score

Derek Jeter's $1.34 million bid to buy the Marlins has "hit a roadblock," according to FOX Business. 

The former Yankee shortstop, who is a part of an ownership group that includes Jed Bush, may not have the money necessary to complete the deal.

The Yankees, who many believed would not be in contention for the World Series this year, have surprised the league by beginning the season 21-11, and are currently sitting only 0.5 games behind Baltimore for the lead in the AL East.

After talking with several MLB insiders and coaches from around the league, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post lists six reasons why the Yankees are legitimate contenders this season.

The first reason is the blooming of some of New York's young players. Guys such as Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Luis Severino, and Jordan Montgomery have developed faster than many scouts believed they would, finding great success thus far.

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

Our weekly minor league report canvases the Yankees' farm system providing updates about the status of the teams in action and the organization's top prospects.

Notes: Top-30 prospect rankings (via MLBPipeline.com) are club based with overall MLB ranks, if applicable, in parenthesis. Prospects currently in the major leagues will not be covered here. Team records and statistics are through games played May 11, 2017.

The Yankees were unable to complete a late ninth inning rally on Thursday in a 3-2 loss to the Astros in the first game of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

The Yankees will open a four-game series with the Houston Astros at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

Who's pitching for the Yankees:

Michael Pineda (3-1, 3.12 ERA) will start for the Yankees. Pineda allowed two runs -- both home runs -- on three hits in six innings against the Cubs in his last start on May 5.

The Yankees have recalled RHP Giovanny Gallegos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the team announced Thursday.

They had optioned RHP Chad Green to Triple-A following Tuesday night's game.

Gallegos, 25, has a 3.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with six walks and 26 strikeouts in 14.0 innings (10 games) this season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...