The Bronx Daily

Yankees Make Between Game Roster Moves

 

Hideki Matsui was placed on the disabled list with a sore left knee. He injured it during a series in Houston two weeks ago. The move made room for pitcher Sidney Ponson. Ponson started the nightcap at Shea Stadium.

In another move, Ross Ohlendorf, who gave up 6 earned runs in the first game this afternoon, was sent down to Triple-A Scranton. The Yankees recalled lefty Kei Igawa.

Matsui said he visited a doctor Friday, and there's still inflammation and fluid in the knee, which was drained last week. He is uncomfortable when he runs.

Yankees Continue to Roll, Pick Up Ponson

The New York Yankees are playing like they did against the San Diego Padres in the World Series. Just running them over. The Yankees won 8-0 Tuesday and followed it up with an 8-5 win last night. Alex Rodriguez has been a one man wrecking crew as he homered for the fourth straight game and the Yankees continue to roll despite the loss of staff ace Chien-Ming Wang.

Wang's injury could have taken the heart out of this team but they are showing they will not let adversity stop them. The team has battled injury all season and is showing they will not quit. They have won 9 out of 11 and are 6 games about .500. This is the streak we have been waiting for for the team to get back in the thick of things! Joba goes tonight for the sweep!

In other news, in an effort to bolster depth in pitching, the Yankees signed Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal. Ponson has pitched effectively (4-1 3.88) but has had trouble off the field including a barroom incident in Florida and reacting badly to being taken out early in a game.

Joe Girardi should be able to manage this guy and if he can throw well, I am sure the Yankees will make it a fit that works.

Roster Move

The New York Yankees made a roster move before today's game recalling Scott Patterson from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he went 1-0 with a 3.04 ERA and three saves in 22 appearances. Patterson almost made the team from Spring Training where he retired 22 of the 23 hitters he faced.

Morgan Ensberg was the odd man out. He was used sparingly and was only batting .203. He gave up offers to start with other teams for a platoon role with the Yankees. It just did not work out. The 32 year old was designated for assignment. He may catch on somewhere else.

In other roster news Jason Lane may opt out of his contract on Sunday. Lane is hitting .249 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs at Triple-A, including a 10th-inning two-run homer on Saturday.

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Roster, Bruney and Posada Updates

Joe Girardi played musical rosters today as he called Edwar Ramirez from triple A and optioned Chris Britton. "He gives us a different look," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's got the great changeup and Edwar has had plenty of experience up here as well over the last year. He's back."

Brian Bruney is trying to avoid surgery which would cost him the 2008 season and is wearing a protective boot to guard an injury to the Lisfranc joint of his right foot. The reliever slipped and fell while attempting to cover first base in the seventh inning of the Yankees' 9-5 victory at Chicago on April 22. He hopes to wear it for a month then be able to rehab and rejoin the team.

Bruney said he had another MRI taken on Monday after a visit with Dr. Martin O'Malley in New York, the third physician with whom he has sought consultation. The first two doctors recommended surgery, but Bruney insists that he does not even feel pain when he wears the boot, though he is limping a little bit as he gets adjusted to carrying the extra weight around.

"I'm going to keep going to doctors until somebody tells me I can [pitch]," Bruney said. I think he is just putting off the inevitable.

Catcher Jorge Posada was back with the Yankees today after traveling  to Alabama on Monday for an afternoon visit with noted sports orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. He is waiting for the results which he hopes to receive Wednesday.

"Until all the doctors weigh in, I'm not going to guess and speculate," Posada said in a statement released through the team. "When they give me concrete information, I'll be sure to share it with [reporters]."

The team including Joe Girardi is optimistic that Jorge will be back this season. Girardi believes the MRI will show no major structural damage. Only time will tell!

Ramirez Recalled by Yankees

Edwar Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he pitched 7 scoreless innings allowing two hits, walked one and struck out 11.

Jonathan Albaladejo, who pitched a career-high three innings in the Yankees' 7-5 loss to the Red Sox on Thursday, was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Ramirez on the roster. "Alby did everything we asked and was great yesterday, but ... Edwar has not thrown for three days and he's rested," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.