notes from Yankees Camp

AL BEast Notebook – March 19



- Robinson Cano has been raking for the Dominican Republic in the WBC. While leading the DR into the championship game, Cano is batting .517 with four doubles and a couple homers. The final game, Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico, is Tuesday night.

- Phil Hughes is working his way back from a bulging disc in his back. In a simulated game in Tampa on Monday, Hughes got hit squarely in his back by a come-backer in the first inning. He’s okay but come on; insult to injury continues to mount for the Yankees.

If all goes well, Hughes should have three minor league starts in the next couple weeks and be ready to start for the Yankees April 7 in Detroit.

- Mark Teixeira’s wrist issue is worse than initially thought. He’s got a partially torn tendon sheath, not just a wrist strain, and could potentially require season-ending surgery. We’ll see how it works out but Tex has no idea when he will return and at this point it’s turning into a worst case scenario.

- Yankees acquired outfielders Ben Francisco and Brennan Boesch, and released Matt Diaz. The two latecomers have the best chance of playing significant roles early in the season, as the young guys (Zoilo Almonte and Slade Heathcott) were sent down to the minors and Melky Mesa and Ronnier Mustelier will be fighting for bench spots.

- According to ESPN New York’s Wallace Matthews, Derek Jeter is likely to leadoff against lefties and Brett Gardner will leadoff against righties. Speaking of Jeter, he was scratched from today’s game with, in the words of Joe Girardi, a “cranky ankle.” He is day-to-day, and it’s possible he starts the season as the DH. But as it stands it is a stiff ankle, this is still Spring and injuries tend to be excuses to rest.