Around the Empire: Yankees News - 5/5/15

NJ.com | Brandon Kuty: Before yesterday's game, Joe Girardi made his displeasure known at the team not having a travel day off after playing Sunday night. It's easy to see where he is coming from; the Yankees are currently in a tough stretch in the schedule, and the short turnaround between the Boston and Toronto series forced Girardi's hands with the lineup decisions somewhat.

NJ.com | Ryan Hatch: Brendan Ryan has suffered another injury setback, this time a pulled hamstring. At this point, Jose Pirela's rehab definitely has him ahead of Ryan, and there is no guarantee that the veteran middle infielder will walk straight back into his bench role once healthy.

LoHud Yankees Blog | Chad Jennings: Yesterday's loss was a tough one to swallow, and several Yankees came away from the game with a bit of a sour taste. However, it is a long season, and it is good to see the team has its spirits up. A lot of the Yankee losses this season have been close, competitive games, which is probably a good sign. I'm guessing. I'm just going to go with this.

Wall Street Journal | Daniel Barbarisi: It may not have worked out so well yesterday, but the Yankee bullpen has been the biggest part of the early season success, and the backend duo of Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller have been the biggest reason why. Long may this continue.

Grantland.com | Michael Baumann: As the debate about the wording in Alex Rodriguez's contract continues, Baumann writes that the Yankees could certainly have marketed the milestone chase from Rodriguez if they chose. After all, Andy Pettitte's history with PED's hasn't stopped him from being in-line for a number retirement ceremony and a place of honour in Monument Park. I'm not sure Pettitte and Rodriguez can be treated exactly the same way with the specifics of their respective involvements, based on what we know at this point, but the larger argument about relative hypocrisy in the Yankee front office does have some validity here.