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After being swept by the lowly Tampa Bay Rays, maybe the Yankees can get a win against the slightly less lowly Minnesota Twins.
Tonight's lineup: Gardner 7 Jeter 6 Ellsbury 8 Teixeira 3 McCann 2 Beltran DH Ichiro 9 Wheeler 5 Ryan 4 Tanaka 1
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) July 3, 2014
Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter are the top of the lineup, while Jacoby Ellsbury and Mark Teixeira are back in the lineup after a day off. Brian McCann is behind the plate with as Carlos Beltran remains the designated hitter and Ichiro Suzuki back in right field. Newest Yankee Zelous Wheeler is in the lineup batting eighth and playing third base, while Brendan Ryan actually makes an appearance, but at second base, not short. Derek Jeter will never take a day off again!
You can add another International signing to the list as the Yankees have inked Dominican shortstop Griffin Garrabito to a $225,000 contract.
Our old friend Alfredo Aceves has tested positive for a recreational drug (not PEDs) and has been suspended for 50 games. This is his second time testing positive for such a drug, so he either needs help or needs to get his act together. While he's no longer on the Yankees 40-man roster, this would seemingly prevent him from being used at some point in the near future.
Sources telling me "drug of abuse" in Alfredo Aceves case was marijuana. Big leaguers aren't tested for it- but rules different in minors.
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) July 3, 2014
Yankees assistant general manager Billy Eppler has been given permission by the team to interview for the vacant Padres general manager position. He is set to talk with San Diego today, though there seems to be a legion of other candidates being brought in throughout baseball, so it could be awhile before we find out who gets the job.
The Yankees have signed free agent Edgmer Escalona to pitch out of the bullpen in Triple-A. He replaces Robert Coello, who opted out of his contract with the organization after posting a 1.69 ERA and 3.06 FIP with a 12.38 K/9 and 5.91 BB/9 (!) in 32.0 innings with Scranton. Escalona has spent the last four years in Colorado, traveling between the Rockies and their Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs before joining the Orioles organization for a time this year. In his career, the 27-year-old right-hander has a 4.50 ERA, 4.76 FIP, with a 6.39 K/9 and 2.88 BB/9. He'll provide a decent option in the minors, but don't expect him to be in the majors at any point.