In the understatement of the season, I think it's safe to say that all the extra running during Spring Training hasn't helped keep the Yanks healthy through the first 38 games.

Pete Abe reports that Wilson Betemit has become the fourteenth and latest Yankee to be placed on the 15-day disabled list after leaving today's game with a strained hamstring.

Alberto Gonzalez will be recalled from Scranton to take his spot on the roster.

Truth be told, while I'm not the type of person to wish injury on someone, I don't think this one hurts the Yanks very much.  I preferred to keep Gonzalez on the roster anyways because of his versatility and sure-handedness on defense, which was something this team clearly lacked.

Meanwhile, Jon Albaladejo has been diagnosed with a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in addition to a strain of the posterior capsule.  Surgery does not appear likely at this point but he's not expected back for awhile.

Pete Abe reports that Jon Albaladejo is the twelfth Yankee this season to be placed  on disabled list after feeling a needle-like pain followed by a burning sensation in his elbow during tonight's outing in relief of Kei Igawa (more on him in a bit).

What all that means is anyone's guess but the short answer is that he's headed back to NY to have an MRI on that elbow.  The best part of this equation is Chris Britton, who the team just demoted a few hours ago, will once again turn around and come back to take Albaladejo's spot in the pen.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but something tells me we've seen this before. </sarcasm>

Switching gears towards Igawa, I found his post game thoughts to be incredibly entertaining, courtesy of Kat O'Brien:

Kei Igawa's first major league start may have been even worse than the numbers indicate. And that's even with him giving up six earned runs on 11 hits in three innings plus four batters. The Tigers had just two (TWO!!) swings and misses against him in 64 pitches. That's brutal.

Yet, after the game, Igawa seemed to have no realization how badly he pitched. He said he wished he had gotten more strikeouts, and that the Tigers found holes with their ground balls. Really?? They launched shots to the outfield all game against him. Joe Girardi said Igawa only commanded his fastball for strikes. Igawa, though, said he thought his changeup was good and slider not too bad.

What can you do but shake your head and laugh?

Perhaps those infamous shades he used to wear to the mound did more than protect his eyes from the sun because he must not have seen the dozen or so rockets that were hammered all over the ballpark tonight.

My only hope is that his performance eliminates any plans to ever have this guy start another game for the New York Yankees.  Call up a kid from Scranton (oh, let's see, maybe Ian Kennedy?) who at least has a fighting chance to get big league hitters out and learn to live with the growing pains.

Things just keep getting worse for Brian Bruney.

Pete Abe is now reporting that Bruney is going to require surgery for his torn ligament and will likely miss the remainder of the season as a result of a Lisfranc injury he suffered on Tuesday night.

He also reports that both Jonathon Albaladejo and Chris Britton are with the team and available to pitch tonight.

Although not official, it appears as if Ross Ohlendorf will be sent down to Scranton.  Damn.

At least there's some positive news to report.  Alex Rodriguez tested his leg in the outfield today and looked fine, so he is penciled in the starting lineup.

UPDATE:

Ed Price reports that Chad Moeller has been designated for assignment to make room for Chris Britton.  He also speculates that Britton may be sent back down tomorrow (it's deja vu all over again) and Shelley Duncan will be recalled.

Stay tuned.

According to Ed Price, Edwar Ramirez has been recalled from Scranton before tonight's game against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

No corresponding move has been officially announced yet but the logical choice would be Jonathon Albaladejo after pitching 3 innings last night.

Edwar's Scranton Profile:

Update:  Chad Jennings confirms Albaladejo is being sent down to Scanton.

Pete Abe reports that the Yanks have now officially placed Joba Chamberain on the bereavement list and have recalled Jonathon Albaledejo from Scranton.

According to George A. King III, Joba will be away from the team at least 3 games but says there is no limit on how many games a player can be away from the team under MLB rules.

I know Wikipedia isn't the most reliable source for information, but it contradicts King and says that Joba can be away from the team for a maximum of 7 games under the bereavement rules:

The bereavement list may be used when a player finds it necessary to leave the team to attend to a serious illness or death in his (or his spouse's) immediate family. A player placed on the bereavement list must miss a minimum of three games and a maximum of seven games. The team can use another player from its 40-man roster to replace a player on the bereavement list.

Personally, I think Wikipedia is right and King is wrong (it wouldn't be the first time) because I recall another Yankee put on this list within the last couple of years.  I'm sure we'll get confirmation on this sometime later today.

In other roster news, Chad Moeller has been recalled from Scranton and Wilson Betemit has been placed on the 15-day DL with a case of conjunctivitis (pink eye).