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Juan rivera says he was released to allow yanks to take ben francisco in the outfield and lyle overbay at first base.
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) March 28, 2013
After hitting well this spring, Juan Rivera seemed like a lock to take Mark Teixeira's spot at first base for the first month or so of the season. The Yankees brought in Lyle Overbay for a three-day audition yesterday, and it looks as though they saw all they needed to, as the team no longer felt the need for Rivera.
Rivera says he was told that the team will carry Overbay as the first baseman and Ben Francisco as the fourth outfielder. According to Joel Sherman, Brian Cashman has also indicated that Brennan Boesch will make the team. The problem there is that there really isn't enough space on the 40-man roster to add all three of Overbay, Francisco, and Jayson Nix while keeping Boesch. The Yankees will need to release or DFA a few of their other minor leaguers like Melky Mesa, Adam Warren, or Corban Joseph to fit all these people on their roster.
In more unfortunate injury news, Ronnier Mustelier has been diagnosed with a bone bruise after he told Joe Girardi his knee "cracked" prior to last night's game. Sadly, this takes him out of contention for one of the spots on the Opening Day roster, which is a shame after the strong showing he's had in camp this spring.
Ronnier Mustelier has a bone bruise in his knee. This takes him out of the running for roster spot, Girardi said.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 28, 2013
More from Pinstriped Bible:
Today's recap: Hiroki Kuroda is ready for the season
The Pinstriped Bible's 2013 Yankees Predictions
The Pinstriped Bible's 2013 MLB Predictions