Help on the Way

According to WFAN, Jonathan Albaladejo and Chris Britton have been called up from Scranton. Brian Bruney has been placed on the 15-day DL with a foot injury that could require surgery. With Jorge Posada ready to resume normal catching duties, Chad Moeller, who has no options, was designated for assignment.

Peter Abraham is also reporting that Shelley Duncan will most likely be rejoining the ball club. To make room, one of the 13 pitchers will be sent down, most likely Ross Ohlendorf, or Kyle Farnsworth could be DL'ed if his elbow is a bigger problem than first thought.

Bruney,according to SI, has been advised to have season ending surgery after damaging the Lisfranc ligament in his right foot. It's injury more common to the NFL. Michael Strahan suffered a serious one for the Giants 2 seasons ago.

Here are tonights lineups from MLB.com. A-Rod back in at 3rd Base.

Yankees
Damon, LF
Jeter, SS
Abreu, RF
Rodriguez, 3B
Matsui, DH
Posada, C
Giambi, 1B
Cano, 2B
Cabrera, CF

Indians
Sizemore, CF
Carroll, 2B
Hafner, DH
Martinez, 1B
Peralta, SS
Gutierrez, RF
Blake, 3B
Michaels, LF
Shoppach, C

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Joba Back in Da House

According to the NY Post's George King, Joba Chamberlain is expected to joining the Yankees tonight in time for their second game at Camden Yards. Jonathan Albaladejo had been recalled to take Chamberlain's place while he was on leave, but he in turn was sent down for Edwar Ramirez. Since Ramirez threw 36 pitches in a 2.1 inning stint, he's the most likely candidate to be sent down.

King also reports that Jorge Posada, who has been taking grounders at 1st Base, will play the position this evening. With a left-hander, Brian Burres, on the hill and a slumping Jason Giambi, Joe Girardi will try to get as many right-handed bats in the lineup as possible.

There's also a possibility that Jose Molina could return to home plate tonight as his injured hamstring feels much better.

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Albaladejo Recalled from Scranton

Jonathan Albaladejo will be taking Joba Chamberlain's spot on the roster while Joba tends to his Dad. Albaladejo had appeared in one game, striking out 4 in 2.2 innings before being sent down to Scranton. Since his demotion, Albaladejo had pitched 5 scoreless innings in 3 appearances.

Albaladejo roughly translates to "dawn of abandoment" in Spanish, but we still think it has something to do with her.

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Minor League Recap - 4/9

Tampa's Eric Hacker threw 7 no-hit innings last night in the Class-A Yankees 1-0 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays. Hacker left due to his pitch count, turning things over to Sean Henn. The lefty, on a rehab assignment, gave up a single to the first batter he faced in the 8th. The Yankees finally won it in the 10th. Jon Hovis got the 'W'.

Scranton got another good performance from Kei Igawa (4 IP 6 H 1 ER 6 K), but couldn't do much against Reds top pitching prospect Homer Bailey and the Louisville Bats bullpen. Chris Britton, Jon Albaladejo, and Edwar Ramirez combined for 5 shutout innings in relief. All three have not allowed an earned run this season. Reds top hitting prospect Jay Bruce drove in the only run of the game.

Pitching was the name of the game in the Trenton Thunder's 5-2 win over the Altoona Curve. After 5 solid innings from starter Chase Wright, Steven Jackson came on to retire off 9 men he faced, 7 of them by strikeout. Reegie (that's not a typo) Corona drove in a pair of runs.

The Charleston River Dogs improved to 5-1 with a 7-3 win over the Savannah Sand Gnats. Dellin Betances improved to 2-0 by striking out 8 in 5.1 innings. He had control problems, issuing 6 walks, but allowed just 2 hits. Jesus Montero hit his 1st home run of the season.

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Opening Day Roster Set

The question has finally been answered. The long man in the Yankees bullpen is.....NO ONE. Darrell Rasner and Kei Igawa were all reassigned to the minor leagues and Jeff Karstens was placed on the 15-day DL. Brian Bruney made the pen as expected, but with Andy Pettitte DL'ed retroactive to last Saturday, both Ross Ohlendorf (pictured to the left) and Jon Albaladejo made the team.

In addition to the 3 long men, Scott Patterson, Nick Green, Edwar Ramirez, and Jose Veras were all sent down to the minors.

Girardi said making the cuts “was brutal” and he praised the spring that Patterson had. But his lack of big-league experience was a factor. Patterson looked crushed afterward.

Patterson has to get up here at some point. He's too good to overlook. Once Pettitte comes off the DL next week, either Ohlendorf or Albaladejo will be ticketed for Scranton. Joe Girardi also said there will be a long man in the pen at some point.

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Yankee Clippard Goes National

The Yankees dealt pitcher Tyler Clippard to the Washington Nationals last night for reliever Jonathan Albaladejo. Clippard did a great job for the Yankees last season when they were hit with a rash of injuries. Eventually major league hitting caught up to him, but we'll never forget that Sunday night win over the Mets to salvage 1 of the 3 games at Shea.

Albaladejo is a 25-year old, 6-5, 250 pound native of Puerto Rico. He appeared in 14 games for the Nats last year, posting a 1.88 ERA while striking out 12 in 14 2-3 innings. Maybe more importantly, he only walked 2 batters. In 36 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, the right-hander 56 in 60 2-3 innings and limited hitters to a .200 average.

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