Good morning, Pinstripe Alley readers. Last night's loss was a tough one, but Ivan Nova will look to continue his hot streak tonight at the Stadium. For now, on to your usual morning news.
A-Rod Remains on Track, Could Play in Rehab Game on Friday.
Alex Rodriguez could play in a minor leage rehab game as early as Friday, and remains on track to rejoin the Yankees at some point during their next road trip. On Tuesday, A-Rod ran the bases for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right knee, while also taking batting practice at the Yankees' training complex in Tampa, Florida.
When discussing a A-Rod's return, the Yankees have floated August 15th as a possible return date. Girardi had this to say about Rodriguez:
He's close [to a rehab game]. He's been running - he ran the bases today, did BP. So he's getting pretty close to probably going into a game. There's been tak that it might be on Friday, it might be on Saturday. We'll just see where he's at.
Girardi also said that he does not know how many rehab games A-Rod will need before returning, but indicated that it is likely he will need more than one:
You don't know how he's going to feel, and you don't know if he's going to have his timing. You don't know if he's going to feel stable on his knee running the bases. You can't just throw a random number out there. When he's ready, we'll have him back, I can tell you that.
Phil Hughes to Start Saturday.
Yesterday afternoon, Joe Girardi announced that Phil Hughes will start on Saturday afternoon against the Rays. According to Girardi, he most likely will not be used out of the bullpen prior to Saturday. In his last start, Hughes tossed six shutout innings in a rain-shortened win over the White Sox.
For now, the six-man rotation lives. Could it survive until the double header on August 27th? Said Girardi:
I don't know how much longer we'll stick with that. Obviously we've got the double header coming up in Baltimore and we have to be prepared for that.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Links:
- Sports Central discusses the other Yankee chasing history.
- Matt Imbrogno of Yankee Analysts argues that Jorge Posada belongs in the Hall of Fame.
- Jay Jaffe of Pinstriped Bible discusses the Yankee bullpen.
- Mike Axisa praises Eduardo Nunez.
- Manny Banuelos must relieve at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before receiving a call-up this season.