Yankees vs. Tigers - April 29

The Yankees finally return to Yankee Stadium tonight for the start of a 9-game homestand. It won't be an easy 9 games either, with 3-game series against Detroit, Seattle, and Cleveland.

Things kick off tonight with Phil Hughes (0-3, 7.85) taking to the mound against Tigers veteran Kenny Rogers. Hughes will again be trying to right the ship after a rocky start this season. He appeared to be on the right track in Chicago when the rains came and forced his removal from the game after just two innings.

Hughes faced the Tigers just once last season without success. He got saddled with the loss after allowing 5 runs in 6 innings pitched. He allowed just four hits, but three of them were home runs.

Rogers has struggled this season as well, compiling a 1-3 record with a 7.66 in 5 starts. The 43-yr old left-hander made just 11 starts last season after a blot clot removed from left shoulder. Rogers has faced the Yankees 35 times in his career, only 14 of them as a starter. He's put a 5-7, 6.45 record and the team has a .325 average against him.

Tigers vs. Hughes

Curtis Granderson 1-2 1 HR 1 RBI
Carlos Guillen 1-3 1 HR 2 RBI
Brandon Inge 0-2
Magglio Ordonez 0-3
Placido Polanco 1-3
Ivan Rodriguez 0-1
Marcus Thames 1-3 1 HR 2 RBI

Yankees vs. Rogers

Bobby Abreu 1-5 2 RBI
Johnny Damon 15-49 (.306) 2 HR 7 RBI
Morgan Ensberg 1-5 1 RBI
Jason Giambi 10-23 (.435) 4 HR 9 RBI 7 BB
Derek Jeter 8-20 (.400) 1 HR 2 RBI 5 BB
Hideki Matsui 2-3 1 HR 1 RBI
Jose Molina 5-12 (.417) 3 RBI

It's unfortunate that A-Rod and Jorge Posada are out of the lineup since they have destroyed Rogers in the past. Arod is 10-19 (.526)-5 HR-9 RBI with 5 BB. Posada is hitting .500 (8-16) against Rogers with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 9 walks.

News and Notes

According to a Star Ledger report yesterday Harlan Chamberlain was released from the hospital and is back home. Great news!

The Yankees are really reaching out to find catchers. The Times Tribune's Chad Jennings reports that the Yankees have brought in 29-yr old catcher Eladio Rodriguez to take Chris Stewart's spot at Scranton. "E-Rod" was the one time MVP of the Israel Baseball League.

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Harlan Chamberlain Breathing on His Own

Joba Chamberlain has released a new statement to the press regarding his Dad's condition. Here it is courtesy of Newsday:

Statement from Joba on his father

Joba's dad, Harlan Chamberlain, is doing better. Here's a statement from Joba that he released through the Yankees.

STATEMENT FROM JOBA CHAMBERLAIN

NEW YORK YANKEES PITCHER

RE: UPDATE ON HOSPITALIZED FATHER, HARLAN

"After several difficult days, my father is feeling much better. He is still in the critical care unit of the hospital and more tests await him, but he is off the ventilator and breathing on his own. Each day he’s acting more and more like himself, and he’s even giving people grief—myself included—because the hospital doesn’t carry Yankees games on television.

“When things like this occur in life, you certainly take notice of how much your teammates become more like family members. Their unconditional support, along with that of so many fans, has made a very tough time easier to deal with. Everyone’s love has been felt by my entire family, and it has brought great comfort to us when we have needed it most.

“I look forward to being reunited with my manager, coaches and teammates so I can thank each of them personally for all that they have done for my family.”

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The Daily Yankeeland

According to Joe Girardi, Harlan Chamberlain's condition has improved slightly, but the hospital is still running a battery of tests. There's no timetable for Joba Chamberlain's return to the team.

Jorge Posada made 45 throws from the outfield yesterday and said he felt better. He's still not sure when he'll be back behind the plate though. Jose Molina's hamstring has improved enough to the point where he doesn't think he'll need to go on the DL.

Ian Kennedy woke up yesterday morning with just a mark from the seams of the baseball that Jason Bartlett lined off his hip area. The team kept him from running yesterday, but he'll be able to resume normal activities with no problem.

The Tommy John surgery twins are making some progress. Humberto Sanchez threw off a full mound for the first time this year, while last year's number one pick, Andrew Brackman, threw off a half mound.

The Star-Ledger's Lisa Kennelley has a piece today on the waste of money known as Carl Pavano. The angle is that while he can rehab his arm, he can't rehab his image. The best line though comes from Pavano's agent, Tom O'Connell.

"Carl's a 1-2 starter," O'Connell said. "Those guys don't grow on trees. Those guys are very rare, 200-inning guys are very rare in this game, and they're the ones that make the money. And he did it two years in a row, before he got hurt, and I'm sure he's going to do it again."

Yeah, okay.

Tonight's first pitch may take a while to get to home plate. Astronaut Dr. Garrett Reisman will be throwing out the ceremonial ball from the International Space Station.

Reisman, a lifelong Yankee fan, carried a Yankee banner, a cap autographed by George Steinbrenner and a pile of dirt from the Yankee Stadium pitcher's mound with him onboard the International Space Station on March 12.

The New Jersey native said throwing the first pitch will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"I am really honored to have this opportunity, in such a historic season, in the House that Ruth Built," he said.

Alex Rodriguez has exemplified the Yankees problems with runners in scoring position. He's just 1-14. He's got a chance to avenge his poor weekend series in Boston, with a 2-game series against the Red Sox in front of the home crowd.

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Harlan Chamberlain in Stable Condition

Joba Chamberlain released a statement through the press about his Dad's condition:

“As many of you know, my family is dealing with a serious, personal medical condition involving my father Harlan. He is currently in critical but stable condition. We cannot express how much we appreciate the enormous amount of love and compassion that has been shown to my family by so many.

“I also want to thank my teammates and my manager for giving me so much support when I have needed it most. Their actions are the reason I was able to reach my father’s side as quickly as I did. I ask that you please afford my family the privacy that it needs to deal with my father’s condition appropriately. In turn, I will provide updates through the Yankees as they become available to me. “

Here is hoping for all the best!

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