Marte Back for 3 More

Reliever Damaso Marte had his option declined by the Yankees for 2009, but the Pinstripes brass never had any intention of letting Marte get away. The Yankees announced today they had signed Marte to a 3-year, $12 million deal that will keep him in the Bronx through 2011.

The 33-yr old was acquired along with Xavier Nady at last season's trade deadline for prospects Jose Tabata, Dan McCutchen, Russ Ohlendorf, and Jeff Karstens. Marte was inconsistent in his first half-season in the Bronx, but the Yankees are very high on his stuff and they also realize the need to keep more than one good left-hander in the pen. The Yankees will also be counting on rookie Phil Coke to fill that need.

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The Weekend Yankeeland - 11/2

Welcome to the end of Daylight Savings Time. :( We're now in that dark, cold section of time until Spring Training. We imagine though that the Hot Stove league should be pretty hot in the metro area like it was last week.

Bobby Abreu filed for free agency this week and the NY Post reports that the Yankees will probably offer him arbitration. The Post also reports that the Yankees will not likely pick up Damaso Marte's $6 million option, opting for the quarter-million buyout instead. This doesn't mean the Yankees won't be interested in bringing Marte back.

Hank Steinbrenner confirmed that the Yankees will take a look at Manny Ramirez as an option for next year and beyond. It's unlikely though that the Yankees would be willing to give Manny the contract length (5 years?) and money ($100 million?) he is looking for.

The Yankees have add Wil De La Rosa and Eric Hacker to the 40-man roster.

Brett Gardner told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch that he's ready to compete for the starting center field job in '09.

Jack Curry says there are other big free agents besides CC Sabathia, Manny, and Mark Teixeira.

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Cano Ends Long Day, 8-7

The Yankees finished off a three game sweep of the Orioles yesterday in an, ugly, incredibly long, poorly pitched ball game. It took a Robinson Cano mammoth seventh inning home run and stellar late relief to hold on to an 8-7 win. The Yankees suddenly have a four game winning streak and trail the wildcard-leading Red Sox by 5 games as the two teams get set to start a three game series at the Stadium tomorrow night.

Sunday's game was downright painful. The Yankees and Orioles have set records at Camden Yards for lengthy games, and yesterday's fiasco was threatening the nine inning record for time played. Yankees' starter Darrell Rasner was bad, but Orioles lead man Daniel Cabrera had one of the worst games possible. He had absolutely no command of his pitches, missing the plate in every way imaginable. Unfortunately for Alex Rodriguez, that also meant taking an upper-90's fastball off of his left elbow.

With the game tied at 7-7 in the seventh, Orioles' lefty specialist Jamie Walker entered the game to face Hideki Matsui and Cano. He retired Matsui on a ground out, but Cano's swing resulted in a 425-ft blast to center to give the Yankees the lead.

The Orioles tried to tie things right back up in their half of the seventh when Ramon Hernandez and Brian Roberts stroked consecutive singles off of Jose Veras, who was working for his third straight day. But Damaso Marte came on to strike out Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora to preserve the lead. Mariano Rivera then came on for a four-out save, striking out Markakis looking, with the tying run on second base, for the game's final out.

The game ended four hours and one minute after it began. The first two innings took two days and 2,000 pitches. (Okay, not quite, but it felt like it.) It started out promising for Rasner, who retired the first two batters he faced, but then Mora and Aubrey Huff hit back-to-back home runs for a 2-0 Orioles lead. But Cabrera wouldn't accept the gift.

He gave up a lead-off single to Xavier Nady in the second and then walked Matsui. Cano drilled a pitch off of the top of the wall in right field for an RBI double, and two batters later Johnny Damon crushed a Cabrera delivery into the right field seats for a 3-run home run and a 4-2 Yankees lead.

Rasner got out of a two-on, two-out jam in the third and the Yankees added to their lead in the fourth. Singles by Damon and Bobby Abreu plus A-Rod's elbow smash loaded the bases with one out. Jason Giambi just missed getting all of one and had to settle for a sacrifice fly and an RBI. Nady then came up with a big two-out hit when he ripped a 2-run double into the left field corner. Down 7-2, Dave Trembley finally pulled Cabrera from the game.

But this would be no laugher. Derek Jeter's one-out bobble allowed Brian Roberts to reach safely and Nick Markakis brought Roberts home when Nady misplayed his single to left. When Rasner walked Mora, Joe Girardi sent for Dave Robertson to try to put out the fire. Instead, Robertson made it worse. Huff doubled to right to plate Markakis and Millar's sac fly brought home Mora to cut the lead to 7-5. Robertson finally retired Luis Montanez to end the inning, but the damage was done.

Jay Payton singled, stole second base, and moved to third on a ground out as the Orioles brought the tying run to the plate in the fifth inning. Robertson struck out Juan Castro for the second out of the inning and Girardi sent for Edwar Ramirez to face the lefty-hitting Roberts. With Pudge Rodriguez set up outside, Ramirez went inside, and Roberts drilled the pitch into the right field seats to tie the game.


News and Notes

Bobby Abreu went hitless Saturday, but had eight hits in the other two games of the series combined.

Robinson Cano's 4-5 day, which included a home run and two doubles, raised his average to .269, the highest it has been since July 26.

Mariano Rivera's save was his 31st in 32 attempts. He saved all three games in the series.

There is no truth to the rumor that the Yankees will be holding open auditions for Rasner's next start (damn!).

August 24, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	4	0	3	0	0	1	0	0		8	15	3
Baltimore	2	0	0	3	2	0	0	0	0		7	14	0

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	6	2	2	3	0	0	3	.312
Jeter, SS	5	0	0	0	0	0	2	.293
Abreu, RF	4	1	3	0	1	0	0	.297
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	1	2	0	1	0	1	.312
Giambi, 1B	4	0	0	1	0	0	5	.250
Ransom, 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000
Nady, LF	5	1	2	2	0	2	1	.328
Matsui, DH	4	1	1	0	1	0	1	.311
Cano, 2B	5	2	4	2	0	1	0	.269
Rodriguez, I, C	4	0	1	0	1	0	4	.284
Totals	40	8	15	8	4	3	17
BATTING 2B: Cano 2 (26, Cabrera, D, Cabrera, D), Nady (32, Cabrera, D), Abreu (34, Cherry). HR: Damon (9, 2nd inning off Cabrera, D, 2 on, 1 out), Cano (12, 7th inning off Walker, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Damon 5; Abreu 4; Rodriguez, A 2; Nady 3; Matsui; Cano 9; Rodriguez, I. RBI: Cano 2 (58), Damon 3 (55), Giambi (77), Nady 2 (80). 2-out RBI: Nady 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Giambi; Rodriguez, I 2; Matsui; Damon. SF: Giambi. GIDP: Giambi. Team LOB: 11. FIELDING E: Jeter (10, fielding), Nady (3, fielding), Rodriguez, I (5, throw).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Rasner	3.1	8	5	3	2	2	2	5.03
Robertson	1.1	2	1	1	0	1	0	6.00
Ramirez (W, 4-1)	1.1	2	1	1	1	1	1	3.66
Veras (H, 9)	0.1	2	0	0	0	1	0	2.70
Marte (H, 21)	1.1	0	0	0	1	3	0	4.34
Rivera (S, 31)	1.1	0	0	0	1	2	0	1.53

Baltimore	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Roberts, 2B	5	2	3	2	1	0	0	.301
Markakis, RF	5	1	1	0	1	2	3	.301
Mora, 3B	4	2	1	1	1	1	5	.281
Huff, DH	5	1	3	2	0	0	0	.304
Millar, 1B	4	0	1	1	0	1	1	.248
Montanez, L, LF	3	0	1	0	0	0	2	.367
a-Scott, PH-LF	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	.272
Payton, CF	5	1	3	0	0	2	3	.253
Quiroz, C	3	0	0	0	0	1	4	.196
b-Cintron, PH-SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.273
Castro, J, SS	3	0	0	0	0	2	2	.192
c-Hernandez, R, PH-C	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	.259
Totals	41	7	14	6	5	10	20
a-Walked for Montanez, L in the 6th. b-Struck out for Quiroz in the 7th. c-Singled for Castro, J in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Huff 2 (39, Robertson, Ramirez). HR: Mora (22, 1st inning off Rasner, 0 on, 2 out), Huff (28, 1st inning off Rasner, 0 on, 2 out), Roberts (9, 5th inning off Ramirez, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Roberts 6; Markakis; Mora 4; Huff 8; Millar; Montanez, L; Payton 3; Hernandez, R. RBI: Mora (96), Huff 2 (91), Millar (66), Roberts 2 (48). 2-out RBI: Mora; Huff; Roberts 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Mora 3; Quiroz; Montanez, L; Payton; Markakis. SF: Millar. Team LOB: 13. BASERUNNING SB: Payton (7, 2nd base off Robertson/Rodriguez, I), Roberts (33, 2nd base off Rivera/Rodriguez, I). FIELDING DP: (Roberts-Cintron-Millar).

Baltimore IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Cabrera, D 3.2 9 7 7 3 0 1 5.24 Sarfate 2.1 1 0 0 1 2 0 4.92 Walker (L, 1-2) 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 1 5.74 Cherry 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6.00 Johnson 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2.29

HBP: Rodriguez, A (by Cabrera, D). Pitches-strikes: Rasner 98-60, Robertson 22-17, Ramirez 27-19, Veras 13-8, Marte 27-14, Rivera 18-12, Cabrera, D 95-49, Sarfate 49-31, Walker 8-6, Cherry 12-8, Johnson 11-8. Ground outs-fly outs: Rasner 3-5, Robertson 1-2, Ramirez 1-2, Veras 0-0, Marte 1-0, Rivera 2-0, Cabrera, D 3-8, Sarfate 1-4, Walker 3-0, Cherry 3-0, Johnson 1-1. Batters faced: Rasner 21, Robertson 6, Ramirez 7, Veras 3, Marte 5, Rivera 5, Cabrera, D 24, Sarfate 9, Walker 4, Cherry 4, Johnson 5. Inherited runners-scored: Robertson 2-2, Ramirez 1-1, Marte 2-0, Rivera 1-0, Sarfate 1-0. Umpires: HP: Ed Rapuano. 1B: Ed Hickox. 2B: CB Bucknor. 3B: Joe West. Weather: 90 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, Out to LF. T: 4:01. Att: 42,746.

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Yankees Survive in 12

If there is a level below rock bottom the Yankees were there last night when Mariano Rivera blew his first save of the season. But with Jose Veras holding down the fort, the Yankees pulled out
a 9-6 win in 12 innings when Alex Rodriguez and Xavier Nady hit home runs. Edwar Ramirez recorded the final three outs for his second career save.

Mike Mussina was poised to win his 16th game of the season when the Yankees entered the bottom of the eighth with a 6-3 lead. But Damaso Marte continued his shaky string of performances, allowing a pair of hits to put runners on the corners with one out. Joe Girardi opted to go to Mariano Rivera for a five out save (this is beginning to feel like the 2004 ALCS), but the move backfired.

Delmon Young fouled a pair of pitches off to the right side, clearly late on Rivera's fastball. But he was early enough on his next swing, hitting an 0-2 pitch over the right field fence for a game tying home run. A clearly stunned Rivera then retired the next two hitters, and was visibly agitated on the bench between innings. It was Rivera's first blown save after 28 consecutive successes.

This game was definitely not destined to be a Yankees win- or so it seemed after a combination of mismanagement and poor hitting in the ninth inning. Derek Jeter, who earlier had fouled a ball off of his left instep, singled with one out. After Bobby Abreu struck out for the second out, first base coach Tony Pena had a conversation with Girardi and Jeter, who had three hits, and he was removed for pinch-runner Justin Christian. The thinking was that Jeter would not be able to score on a gapper. But the move would have made more sense had Girardi replaced Jeter with Abreu up, giving the Yankees a better opportunity to hit and run or steal. The move really looked silly when Alex Rodriguez grounded out on the first pitch he saw from Joe Nathan to end the inning.

Rivera threw a scoreless tenth inning and Veras followed suit in the eleventh. With one out in the twelfth, A-Rod hit a 98 mph Matt Guerrier fastball over the wall in center field for a 7-6 Yankees lead. It was Rodriguez's 27th of the season and 545th lifetime. Ivan Rodriguez followed with a double to the gap in left-center and Nady put the game away with his 6th home run as a Yankee and his third and fourth RBI of the game.

Edwar Ramirez breezed through the bottom of the twelfth and the Yankees had their three-run victory, just a little later than expected.

August 12, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12		R	H	E
NY Yankees	1	0	0	2	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	3		9	16	0
Minnesota	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0		6	12	1

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	6	2	3	1	0	1	1	.325
Jeter, SS	5	0	3	1	0	2	0	.284
2-Cabrera, PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.243
Sexson, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.222
Abreu, RF	5	1	2	1	1	1	2	.290
Rodriguez, A, 3B	6	1	1	1	0	1	6	.313
Giambi, DH	2	1	2	0	2	0	0	.257
1-Christian, PR-DH	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.250
a-Rodriguez, I, PH-DH	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.292
Nady, LF	5	1	2	4	0	3	2	.332
Cano, 2B	5	0	1	0	1	0	4	.264
Betemit, 1B-SS	6	0	1	1	0	3	3	.250
Molina, C	4	1	0	0	1	0	4	.226
Totals	47	9	16	9	5	11	23
a-Grounded out for Christian in the 10th. 1-Ran for Giambi in the 8th. 2-Ran for Jeter in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Nady (31, Blackburn), Rodriguez, I (17, Guerrier). HR: Damon (8, 1st inning off Blackburn, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (27, 12th inning off Guerrier, 0 on, 1 out), Nady (19, 12th inning off Guerrier, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Damon 6; Jeter 3; Abreu 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Giambi 2; Rodriguez, I 2; Nady 6; Cano; Betemit. RBI: Damon (51), Nady 4 (74), Jeter (57), Abreu (78), Betemit (20), Rodriguez, A (71). 2-out RBI: Nady 2; Jeter. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Rodriguez, A; Molina; Sexson. GIDP: Cano; Rodriguez, A; Betemit. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (19, 2nd base off Guerrier/Redmond), Christian (7, 2nd base off Crain/Redmond). CS: Abreu (8, 2nd base by Blackburn/Redmond).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina	7.0	8	3	3	1	5	0	3.30
Marte (H, 19)	0.1	2	2	2	0	0	0	4.50
Rivera (BS, 1)	1.2	2	1	1	0	0	1	1.56
Veras (W, 3-1)	2.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2.79
Ramirez (S, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3.77

Minnesota	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Span, RF	6	0	1	0	0	2	1	.309
Punto, 2B	6	0	2	0	0	2	1	.258
Redmond, C	6	1	2	0	0	1	2	.277
Morneau, 1B	4	0	0	0	1	0	2	.305
Kubel, DH	3	1	1	0	0	0	2	.265
a-Ruiz, PH-DH	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.364
Young, LF	5	3	3	3	0	0	0	.288
Buscher, 3B	4	0	0	1	0	1	1	.307
Everett, SS	4	0	1	2	0	0	0	.214
Gomez, CF	5	0	1	0	0	2	1	.254
Totals	45	6	12	6	1	8	10
a-Singled for Kubel in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Young (21, Mussina), Punto (10, Mussina), Redmond (5, Marte). HR: Young (6, 8th inning off Rivera, 2 on, 1 out). TB: Span; Punto 3; Redmond 3; Kubel; Ruiz; Young 7; Everett; Gomez. RBI: Buscher (31), Everett 2 (14), Young 3 (49). 2-out RBI: Everett. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Span; Kubel. SF: Buscher; Everett. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Young (13, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina), Gomez (25, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina). CS: Span (4, 2nd base by Mussina/Molina). FIELDING E: Punto (5, throw). DP: 5 (Redmond-Punto, Punto-Morneau, Punto-Everett, Punto-Everett-Morneau, Morneau-Everett).

Minnesota	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Blackburn	4.2	6	4	4	3	5	1	3.73
Bonser	1.1	2	1	1	1	1	0	6.37
Breslow	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.45
Crain	1.2	2	1	1	1	1	0	3.28
Reyes	0.2	1	0	0	0	2	0	2.45
Nathan	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.07
Guerrier (L, 6-6)	1.1	4	3	3	0	1	2	4.67
Bass	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	4.96

Bonser pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

IBB: Morneau (by Mussina), Cano (by Crain).
HBP: Nady (by Bonser).
Pitches-strikes: Mussina 104-68, Marte 19-12,
Rivera 27-20, Veras 24-15, Ramirez 13-8, Blackburn 102-64,
Bonser 27-16, Breslow 1-1, Crain 22-13, Reyes 18-11, Nathan 15-10,
Guerrier 36-25, Bass 5-3.
Ground outs-fly outs: Mussina 10-5, Marte 0-1,
Rivera 4-1, Veras 2-2, Ramirez 0-2, Blackburn 4-4, Bonser 2-1,
Breslow 1-0, Crain 2-1, Reyes 0-0, Nathan 3-0, Guerrier 1-2, Bass 2-0.
Batters faced: Mussina 29, Marte 3, Rivera 7, Veras 6, Ramirez 3,
Blackburn 21, Bonser 8, Breslow 1, Crain 6, Reyes 3, Nathan 4, Guerrier 8, Bass 2.
Inherited runners-scored: Rivera 2-2, Bonser 2-0, Breslow 2-1, Crain 1-0, Nathan 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Greg Gibson. 1B: Mike Winters. 2B: Angel Campos. 3B: Brian Runge.
Weather: 69 degrees, dome.
Wind: Indoors.
T: 4:22.
Att: 33,036.

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Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays

It's pouring out, the Yankees just got their asses kicked in Anaheim, and now they must face the tough pitching, playoff contending Minnesota Twins. The Yankees spanked the Twins in three straight at home in their second series after the All-Star break, but at that point the team was feeling good about themselves.

Sidney Ponson goes tonight against rookie Glen Perkins. Do you really think Ponson can put a third straight good start together? Our savior, who would have thunk it, Mike Mussina faces Nick Blackburn on Tuesday, and then John Sterling will attempt to ruin our Wednesday afternoon when Darrell Rasner takes on Kevin Slowey.

Those three Twins' kid pitchers are a combined 25-17 with a 3.97 ERA. They've walked just 63 batters in 351 innings.

Xavier Nady has been one of the few Yankees to make a consistent contribution since his acquisition. After going 0-7 in his first two games up at Fenway Park, the X-Man has gone 19-45 (.422) and is hitting .365 over all. In 15 games, he has 5 home runs and 13 RBI, with an 1.162 OPS. Nady's play is reminiscent of Bobby Abreu's arrival in 2006 when he hit .330 with 42 RBI in 58 games.

The same can't be said for Ivan Rodriguez, who is just 5-18 (.278) with 1 RBI, on a home run, in 8 games. He also doesn't get the opportunity to catch Mussina or Andy Pettitte, since they both prefer Jose Molina behind the plate.

Damaso Marte has been terribly inconsistent, especially if asked to pitch more than one inning. Sunday's game was a perfect example where he threw a dominant eighth, but put the Yankees in trouble in the ninth by allowing a single and a walk. He's been scored on in four of the eight games he's pitched.

With Phil Hughes set to throw 80 pitches in his next minor league assignment, could a major league start be around the corner? We think if he pitches well, they'll give him one more minor league game and then he'll be back with the big club.


Maybe this will lift our spirits.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/10

We're still disgusted from yesterday's game so we'll probably not be tuning in today. If you want to read more about yesterday's game, click here.

George King has a story on the tough return for Dan Giese to So Cal. Giese did everything he could to give the Yankees a win yesterday, but the team let him down big time.

The Yankees are hoping to develop some of their own left-handed relievers, so Phil Coke, who was in the original Nady-Marte deal, was promoted to Scranton to work out of the bullpen.

Mike Lupica agrees with us (we usually don't agree with him) that Joe Girardi has done a good job.

Chad Jennings has a look at prospect wannabe Matt Carson.

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Results of Pirates Trade Poll

Not counting the horrendous outing by Damaso Marte last week, this deal has looked good thus far. Xavier Nady's 6 RBI Sunday afternoon certainly helped that out.

The top vote getter was "Great job by the Cashman", which coincides with our feelings. Next up was a good deal for all, followed by the Yankees getting a steal.

There were 9 of the 90 votes that felt the Yankees gave up too much. We're thinking some of those votes were after Nady's initial oh-fers and Marte's meltdown.

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Quick to the Bat Poll

We cut the the bat poll short since the Yankees acquired Xavier Nady on Friday night. "Funnily" enough, 8 more of you filled out the poll before we closed it, with 3 selecting "Blake or Nady". Ironically, Blake was dealt yesterday as well to the LA Dodgers.

So now we want to know what you think of the trade. We don't agree with Pa Yankee, John Sterling, that it was phenomenal, but it was very good.

Nady has been overhyped due to the season he's having, but he's a serviceable outfielder, who could take over in right field next season for Bobby Abreu.

Marte, of course, has been an outstanding set up man in his career, and even part time closer this year, with the White Sox and Pirates. (Note to ESPN's Larry Hardesty, who was on 1050 with Jody Mac yesterday. Marte pitched 4 seasons with the White Sox, so you don't have to wonder if his stuff will translate to the AL. Your a professional, do you homework.)

Jose Tabata could be the real deal, but at 19 he's still a good ways from the majors. He's had a balky wrist issue, and maybe more important, maturity issues.

Jeff Karstens is mediocre, Dan McCutchen may or may not be good, and Ross Ohlendorf could still turn into a decent pitcher, though we think losing him is no biggie.

So what do you think? Quick, to the trade poll, Robin. Boy that was stupid.

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Nady-Marte Deal is Revised

Word from WFAN radio this morning is that the Yankees deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte, has been revised. Instead of prospects Phil Coke and George Kontos, the Yankees are sending pitchers Jeff Karstens and Dan McCutchen to the Pirates.

Karstens has made 15 career apperances, appearing as both a starter and long reliever. It was obvious that he would never be a star in the league, but has been serviceable at times. He was set to make the Yankees out of spring training before a strained groin set him back.

McCutchen excelled at Trenton in the Eastern League before a promotion to Scranton of the International League. He's got off to a slow start at Triple-A, but had been pitching very well of late. Scouts, however, project more as a late inning set up man or closer rather than a starter.

Why the change in the deal? Either it wasn't accurate to begin with, or one or more players failed their physicals.

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Breaking News: Yankees Acquire Nady and Marte

SI's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees have acquired right-handed hitting outfielder Xavier Nady and lefty set up man Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Jose Tabata, and pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Phil Coke, and another minor league prospect.

The Yankees have not made an official announcement yet and all players will have to clear physicals.

Update 8:25 PM EDT

According to mlb.com, the 4th player is believed to be pitcher George Kontos.

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Around the Horn - 4/3

Rich Harden and Jon Lester hooked up in a pitcher's duel in the A's-Red Sox series finale, but it was the A's bullpen that blinked first. David Ortiz had been 0-for the season before belting a 2-run HR off of Alan Embree in the 7th. Lester, Bryan Corey, and Manny Delcarmen combined on a 4-hitter in the 5-0 shutout.

The Rays have hopes of reaching .500 this season, but most of that will depend on their pitching. If last night was an indication they're in trouble. Starter Matt Garza and reliever Al Reyes blew a 6-3 lead to a weak Orioles team. Aubrey Huff homered and drove in 4 for the O's.

Seattle learned earlier in the day they would be without their closer J.J. Putz for at least 2 weeks due to mild costochondritis, an inflammation of the ribcage. For now, M's manager John McLaren is going with closer-by-committee, but last night one time Jays closer Miguel Batista finished off a 4-1 win with a scoreless ninth against the Texas Rangers.

Royals starter Brian Bannister was as good as it gets in a 4-0 win over the Detroit Tigers. Think the Mets could use the guy they mistakenly dealt for Ambiorix Burgos? Bannister is now 13-9, 3.71 in his 1 year and 1 start for the Royals.

Fausto Carmona walked 4 hitters in 7 innings, but the Indians starter pretty much picked up where he left off last season, limiting the White Sox to 1 run in the Tribe's 7-2 victory. Carmona lead the AL in inducing double play grounders last season and started off '08 with 3 more.

Nick Blackburn's wild pitch provided the only run in the Angels 1-0 win over the Twins. Blackburn was great, but Joe Saunders (8 IP) was even better as he and K-Rod combined on the shutout. Torii Hunter finally gave his old fans a treat with his first two hits of the season.

We picked Pedro Martinez to be our NL comeback player of the year, but we just know we are not a jinx like the Sports Illustrated cover (we think that's garbage anyway). Pedro was put on the DL with the hamstring he injured Tuesday night. He's expected to miss 4-6 weeks. The Mets took their frustration out on the Marlins last night in a 13-0 blow out.

Look at those Nats! The Washingtonians improved to 3-0 with a 1-0 blanking of the Phillies. Tim Redding went 7 innings and allowed 1 hit, the only hit the Phils would get on the night. Ryan Zimmerman hit his 2nd game winning home run of the season.

The Brewers pounded Ted Lilly and the Cubs 8-2 to improve to 2-0. Jeff Suppan picked up the win over the team many have picked to win the NL Central.

After a 72 minute rain delay the Giants finally got their first win, a 2-1 edging of the Dodgers. The Dodgers won't have 3rd Base coach Larry Bowa who was suspended 3 games for Tuesday night's ejection. Bowa is NOT happy!

It wasn't an important game, but there was Trevor Hoffman blowing another save for the Padres. After the Astros tied the game, Lance Berkman hit a game winning 3-run HR (Astros 9 Padres 6) off the all-time saves leader.

The Diamondbacks Brandon Lyon can empathize with Hoffman. He didn't retire any of the 3 Reds batters he faced in the 9th last night. The last one, Edwin Encarnacion, hit a walk-off 3-run HR to give the Reds a 6-5 win.

The Braves pounded the Pirates 10-2 for their first win of 2008. Pirates lefty reliever Damaso Marte was in much demand prior to the season. So far in 2 appearances he's allowed 6 runs and only recorded 2 outs.

The Cards picked up their first win too with an 8-3 win over the Rockies. Rick Ankiel, who heard off-season P.E.D. rumors, hit his 1st home run.

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