Yankees Mussina Still Struggling; Yankees Notebook
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Source: Lower-Hudson Journal
By PETER ABRAHAM THE JOURNAL NEWS
Yankees report Score: Reds 6, Yankees 3 Spring record: 8-4-1 Game breakdown: Mike Mussina allowed three runs in three innings as the Yankees lost their third straight. Robinson Cano was 3 for 3 with one RBI. Clubhouse chatter: Mariano Rivera was inducted into the pitchers' wing of the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame in St. Petersburg during an afternoon ceremony. He later threw a scoreless inning. What's next: Today vs. Minnesota at Tampa, 7:15 p.m. (YES)
Peter Abraham (Original publication: March 14, 2007)
TAMPA, Fla. - Mike Mussina has three weeks to get it straight, but for now he's struggling.
The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits in three innings in last night's 6-3 loss against the Reds. Brandon Phillips started the game with a long home run off Mussina.
"Can't get location down, can't get breaking balls over the plate, getting in bad counts. It's a little bit of everything,'' Mussina said. "It's frustrating. But you know sometimes it can be this hard.''
In three starts this spring, Mussina has a 5.63 ERA. He has allowed 11 hits - three of them home runs - in eight innings.
"I need to do some work," Mussina said.
So long for now: The Yankees reassigned infielder Eric Duncan, outfielder Brett Gardner, infielder Alberto Gonzalez, right-hander Steven Jackson, right-hander Jeff Kennard, first baseman Juan Miranda, outfielder Jose Tabata and right-hander Kevin Whelan to the minor-league camp.
Tabata, the team's top offensive prospect, was 6 of 13 with a homer and two RBI in nine games.
"It comes easy for him,'' Joe Torre said. "We'll see him again.''
Right-hander Phil Hughes will be reassigned today after he throws a bullpen session.
Injury updates: Brian Bruney worked a scoreless inning in his first game of the spring. He walked two and struck out two. He had been out with a sore back and the flu.
The MRI on Wil Nieves' sore right arm came up clean, and the backup-catcher candidate may be only a day or two away from playing again.
Right-handed reliever Jose Veras, who was ticketed for Class AAA, has been shut down with a sore elbow.
Rookie right-hander Humberto Sanchez (right elbow) will throw from halfway up a bullpen mound today.
Notes: Bench coach Don Mattingly left the team to return to Indiana after the death of his father. According to a team spokesman, William Mattingly had undergone several brain operations in the past week. ... Third-base coach Larry Bowa, bullpen coach Joe Kerrigan and right fielder Bobby Abreu were excused to attend the funeral of longtime Phillies coach and executive John Vukovich. ... Andy Phillips played in his first game of the spring and grounded into a double play in his only at-bat. ... The Yankees will have Andy Pettitte face the Phillies on Saturday in Clearwater. Carl Pavano will pitch in a minor-league game in Tampa. For now, both starters will work on the same day until pitching coach Ron Guidry adjusts the schedule.
I feel so bad for Donnie Baseball, I hope that he and his family can get through this tragic time.
So far, these are my thoughts on Spring Training:
- Phil Hughes needs time to develop in AAA.
- As of right now, Ben Davis should win the backup catchers job. It doesn't mean he will. I still think Torre will go with Pratt.
- Kei Igawa should start the season as the 4th starter, and alternate as a reliever if necessary.
- Jose Tabata may be scary good.
- Jeff Karstens or Darrell Rasner deserve the 5th starter spot. Karstens still can be moved freely between AAA and MLB, but Karstens is out of options. The Nats, who lost him on waivers to the Yankees last year, have already said they'll snatch him back up if he heads onto the wire, so the Yankees need to either play him or move him.
- Josh Phelps has won the backup first-baseman job. His bat is better than anyone we're considering, including Mientkeiwicz.
- Carl Pavano should be shipped out with a package for Mark Texiera as soon as possible.
