Good morning, Pinstripe Alley readers. The Yankees defeated the Brewers with authority last night, and will send A.J. Burnett to the mound tonight with their eyes set on another series victory. Now, on to your usual morning news, where I have a lot for you.
Derek Jeter Runs Bases, But Not Set for Return.
Derek Jeter's return from a right calf strain took a significant step yesterday. He took batting practice, fielded grounders, and most importantly, ran the bases for the first time since injuring his calf. Joe Girardi estimated that he ran the bases at around a 50-60% effort.
The Yankees will look for Jeter to be able to run at 100%, and then go on a rehab assignment. That rehab assignment will likely consist of at least two games.
Bartolo Colon Could Return for Subway Series.
Bartolo Colon throw an "encouraging" 60-pitch simulated game on Monday, and the Yankees are now thinking about starting him against the Mets this weekend. Girardi also noted that Colon felt he could have gone longer in his outing.
However, starting Colon in Queens would require him to hit and possibly run the bases. This is an obvious concern for an aging pitcher returning from a leg injury.
Colon is due back in New York today, where the Yankees' staff can evaluate him and determine if starting him this weekend is the right move.
Phil Hughes to Make Third Rehab Start Today.
The Trenton Thunder confirmed that Phil Hughes will be making his second rehab start for the club, and third overall. Hughes will likely throw around 85 pitches. Following this start, he will most likely throw one more rehab outing at around 100 pitches before rejoining the Yankees for the first time since April 15th.
Throw strikes and throw hard, Phil.
Yankees Will Try to Keep Nunez's Bat in Lineup When Jeter Returns.
Girardi wants to keep Eduardo Nunez in the lineup as often as possible, even when Jeter returns. However, this could be difficult with A-Rod, Jeter, and Cano entrenched in the positions that Nunez is able to play. With Jorge Posada hitting very well in June, it has become difficult to take him out of the DH spot. So, how will Girardi get Nunez playing time?
We'll continue to be smart. We tried to get Nuney at-bats, and that's what we're going to do. And we fell under that crazy schedule the first month. But as you saw, we were getting Nuney at-bats and we'll continue to do that, and when Derek comes back, we'll play him short, third, second. We'll give guys days, maybe DH a guy a day or give him a full day off, but we'll continue to get him at-bats.
Links:
- Alex Rodriguez has been playing with a sore knee.
- Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira will not participate in the Home Run Derby.
- Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira have been below average in the field according to Baseball Info Solutions' Plus-Minus ratings.
- Andruw Jones is on the long list of creditors of the Dodgers.
- Mike Jaggers-Radolf takes a look at Nick Swisher's turnaround.
- Alex Avila is challenging Russell Martin for the title of starting catcher in the All-Star Game. Jeter, Cano, Granderson and A-Rod still lead their positions.
- Ray Monell says the Yanks' bats and CC Sabathia bring out the best in each other.
- Kyle Franko takes a look at Corban Joseph's hot streak and Manny Banuelos' well pitched game.
- Matt Imbrogno says it still makes no sense to trade Jesus Montero.