Phelps Gives Yankees Added Deadline Flexibility

(Courtesy of Michael Mancuso/The Times of Trenton)

With the trade deadline just 2 days away, one player who doesn't have a clear role as either a part of the roster or a trade chip is David Phelps.  Earlier today we updated Phelps' rehab status as he works his way back from a forearm strain, and he's scheduled to make his next appearance for Double-A Trenton tomorrow night.  What happens after that outing is anybody's guess.  Neither Cash nor Joe have committed to a role for Phelps once he's ready to be activated from the DL.  They're certainly not guaranteeing that he would return to the starting rotation, nor should they with how well Ivan Nova has pitched.  With what they might still be trying to accomplish on the trade market, perhaps the Yankees are waiting to make a decision on Phelps until after the deadline passes.

So About Those Home Runs Yesterday

(Courtesy of Getty Images)

When Derek Jeter hit his solo HR in the bottom of the 1st yesterday, he didn't just add one more highlight to his career reel.  He did something, or should I say somethings, that hadn't been done by a Yankee hitter in way too long.  That homer yesterday was ...

• The first by a Yankee hitter period since the All Star break, a span of 9+ games dating back to the 7th inning of their game against the Twins on July 14th.
• The first by Jeter since September 9, 2012, when he hit one as the DH against the Baltimore Orioles.
• The first by a Yankee right-handed hitter since June 25th, when Jayson Nix homered off Yu Darvish.  That's a span of 477 PA in 28 games over more than a calendar month between righty HR.

When Alfonso Soriano snuck his 2-run homer off the right field wall in the 3rd, that span stretched back to May 23rd to find the last time the Yankees got 2 right-handed homers.  Think about that.  Prior to yesterday's game, the Yankees had hit just 2 right-handed home runs in over 2 months (and 900+ PA).  Yesterday they did it in less than 3 innings.

Helluva moment for Jeter, helluva game for Soriano, and a helluva win for the team.  But let those numbers serve as a reminder that this offense is still far from out of the woods.  It's going to be better with Jeter and Soriano in it, but there's still a long way to go.

P.S.- Soriano's HR was his first as a Yankee since September 28, 2003.  Wow.

MiL Rehab Roundup: 7/29/13

Another Monday, another round of rehab updates.

Jayson Nix- Was in the clubhouse before yesterday's game and will be activated from the DL to play third base in Tuesday night's series opener against LA.  He played in 4 rehab games, mostly with High-A Tampa, and went 1-14 with 1 BB, 1 HBP, and 2 K in those games.  David Adams has already been optioned back to Triple-A to clear a roster spot.

Michael Pineda- Made another shortened start for Triple-A last night, going 4 innings and giving up 2 ER on 3 H with 0 BB and 3 K.  He threw just 55 pitches in the game, so the team's innings management plans look to be in full effect.

David Phelps- Made a rehab start for Double-A Trenton last Tuesday and came through fine after allowing 2 ER with 3 BB and 6 K in 3.2 innings.  He threw a bullpen for the Yankee coaches on Friday and is scheduled to make another rehab start tomorrow.  His rehab window doesn't expire until August 22nd.

Curtis Granderson- Went 0-4 with 2 K as the DH for High-A Tampa yesterday, his 3rd game back on this latest rehab assignment.  Via Nicholas Flammia, the plan is for C-Grand to work out at the complex today and then join Double-A Trenton on Tuesday.  Joe has hinted that Granderson could be back as early as this coming weekend.

Francisco Cervelli- Had been progressing in his throwing and hitting drills before feeling some soreness in his hand late last week.  He's being re-evaluated and could be held out for a while as a precaution.  Starting to look like we might not see Frankie back this year.