Patterson Up, Ensberg DFA'ed

Scott Patterson is finally getting a chance in the Yankees bullpen and Morgan Ensberg's attempt to recapture his glory is over. The Yankees recalled Patterson from Scranton for today's game and designated Patterson for assignment.

According to the Daily News' Mark Feinsand, the Yankees also plan on calling up pitcher Dan Giese from Scranton on Tuesday. Sounds like Giese could take over when Joba Chamberlain reaches his pitch count.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees will likely move Phil Hughes to the 60-Day DL. Patterson or Chris Britton would be sent down to make room on the 25-man roster.

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LaTroy Would Rather Switch Than Fight

We were upset when we heard Morgan Ensberg was going to wear #21 in spring training, but we didn't lose any sleep over it. When Ensberg decided to switch to #11 and LaTroy Hawkins picked up #21 in a tribute to his idol, Roberto Clemente, we again didn't lose any sleep over it.

We're huge Paul O'Neill fans. He was our favorite player in the post-Don Mattingly era. We met him at a personal appearance and he was a genuinely nice guy. Signed our Paul O'Neill shirt, our Yankees yearbook, and took a photo with us. We think he deserves a day at the Stadium and possibly have his number retired.

That all being said, the Yankees fans behavior has been classless and boorish. To boo a guy for wearing a number of a beloved player is absurd. He may not have been as popular as Paulie, but we don't remember anyone booing Rubin Sierra for wearing #24 after Tino Martinez left.

Hawkins didn't help himself out any with a 6-run outing in early April. But the boos have had their effect. According to the Star-Ledger's Ed Price, Hawkins will be switching from #21 to #22. We only hope there is no fall out from fans of Roger Clemens or Jerry Mumphrey

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The Weekend Yankeeland

Dave Eiland would never have been mistaken for Joba Chamberlain when he was playing. Eiland didn't have the greatest stuff, but worked hard to get to the majors. After an up and down playing career, he's made the big time as the Yankees pitching coach. The Star Ledger's Ed Price has a wonderful piece on Eiland and the influence his late Dad had on his life and his work.

Former Yankees great Graig Nettles has revealed he is suffering from prostate cancer.

"A pretty good scare," Nettles said. "They said I may have had it a few years. So there wasn't any urgency. I always thought there would be an urgency of getting it out of your body, but they thought it wouldn't matter a couple months."

Nettles was diagnosed last November, but doctors told him surgery could wait until after spring training. Nettles served in his usual role as a special instructor for the Yankees. Our thoughts and prayers go out to "Puff" for a speedy recovery.

In case you missed it the other day, Chien-Ming Wang got the official nod that as the Yankees opening day starter. The Wanger was supposed to start last year's opener, but pulled a hamstring muscle. It's still hard to believe that Carl Pavano made that start.

Speaking of Pavano, he was once again added to the 60-day DL to make room for Morgan Ensberg on the 40-man roster.

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The Daily Yankeeland

In case you missed it over the weekend, the NY Times' Tyler Kepner had a good story on Billy Traber's road back from the reconstructive surgery he had in 2003. Traber's career highlight was a complete game shutout he pitched against the Yankees in 2003. He faced just one batter over the minimum, allowing a single to John Flaherty.

And yesterday, Kepner wrote up a great feature on the heart and soul of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

Hideki Matsui will be re-evaluated today to determine when he can play next. Godzilla went 0-3 as the DH in yesterday's game. Though his swings weren't very good, both he and Joe Girardi were pleased with the outcome. No word on when Matsui will return to the outfield.

Morgan Ensberg continued to help his chances yesterday, going 1-2 with an RBI, run scored, and a walk. He's now batting .429 this spring. Chris Woodward's 2-3 raised his average to .529 as he battles for a utility spot.

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Okay, Call it a Comeback

Looks like we spoke out of turn (what does that mean, anyway?). The Yankees are indeed making a comeback, and have cut the Reds lead to 12-8 entering the 9th.

The Yankees loaded the bases with no out on back-to-back walks to Francisco Cervelli and Jose Tabata, and a single by Morgan Ensberg. One batter later, Greg Porter gave himself a memory with a grand slam.

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Don't Call it a Comeback

No really, don't. We've got good news and bad news. The good news is that the Yankees put 4 runs on the board in the 7th. The bad news? The Yankees are still down by 8.

Bobby Abreu got things going in the 7th with a home run. A walk to Morgan Ensberg and a single by Wilson Betemit set up a potential rally. Austin Jackson delivered with an RBI single. One batter later Chris Woodward drilled a double to center to score Betemit and Jackson to cap the inning.

Sean Henn gave up the last 2 Reds runs, 1 of which was unearned. On the bright side, Scott Patterson, Kyle Farnsworth, and Dan Giese combined for 3.1 scoreless innings.

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Yankees Nip Astros 7-6

The Yankees aren't too concerned with their starting lineup, but how Mike Mussina fares this summer has to be a major concern. Mussina was handed an early lead this afternoon in Kissimmee, but couldn't hold it. The Yankees bats banged out 14 hits though and the offense and bullpen led the way to a 7-6 Yankees victory. The Yankees are now 2-0-1 in the Grapefruit League.

Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the 3rd, Mussina served up a gopher ball to Carlos Lee, who crushed it for a 3-run home run and the lead. Jeff Karstens replaced Mussina in the middle of the inning and tossed 3 scoreless frames en route to the win.

Robinson Cano had 3 hits and he and Shelley Duncan drove in 2 runs each to pace the offense. The Yankees took the lead for good with a 3-run 6th inning. Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless 9th for the save.

Morgan Ensberg enjoyed a day against his old with a pair of hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Melky Cabrera also contributed 2 hits, a walk, and 3 runs scored. Click Here to see the full box score.

On Tuesday, the Yankees travel to Dunedin to take on the Blue Jays.

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The Daily Yankeeland

Jon Papelbon has already established himself as an arrogant punk and a perfect fit for the zoo in Boston. Now he has decided to chime in on the Hank Steinbrenner-Red Sox nation scenario. Pap told Hank to "stick to his pencil pushing". Well Pap, stick to pitching and making your ugly mug even uglier on the mound.

Morgan Ensberg is adjusting quickly to life as a Yankee and as a first baseman. He credits coach Kevin Long with making a good adjustment to his swing.

"I'm embarrassed to say it, but in two weeks of working with Kevin, I have felt so much better as a hitter than I have my entire life," Ensberg said. "This is just working on stuff in the cage. This is silly. I would have thought that there was a time that I knew what was going on, but he just makes things simple."

Having another solid right-handed bat would certainly be a boon to the Yankees lineup. Ensberg, a career 3rd Baseman, can also give the Yankees more depth at 1st Base.

"I've felt really comfortable over there," Ensberg said. "I feel pretty competent as an infielder. It doesn't feel so foreign. I'm not as concerned about learning first base as I am about having quality at-bats. It's familiar territory."

Hank Steinbrenner mentioned that the Yankees will be honoring Bernie Williams, though there is no current plan in place. Um, then why say anything?

Hideki Matsui took no BP on Sunday after waking up with a stiff neck. It's not expected to set him back for making his debut later this week.

Mariano Rivera had a very effective bullpen session yesterday, with Jorge Posada looking on. Occasionally Posada stepped into the batter's box to get a better look. Jorge gave his closer 2 thumbs up.

The Yankees reassigned Marcos Vechionacci to the minor league camp earlier today.

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Geese 6 Gators 2

No, a game didn't break out at Sea World. 6-2 was the final score of the Yankees intrasquad game, lead by Goose Gossage (Geese) and Ron Guidry (Gator). Thanks to PeteAbe, here are the pitching lines for the game. We know it's only the 1st game, it was 54 degrees and windy, but not a good start to the spring for the lefty combatants, Billy Traber and Sean Henn.

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Karstens	2	1	0	0	0	0
Patterson	1	0	0	0	0	0
Jackson	1	0	0	0	0	1
Traber	1	3	2	2	1	0
Ramirez	1	0	0	0	1	0
Ohlendorf	0.2	0	0	0	1	0
Mussina	2	4	2	1	1	1
Rasner	1	1	0	0	0	2
McCutchen	1	1	1	0	1	1
Henn	2	2	2	2	3	0
Albaladejo	1	1	0	0	0	0
Melancon	1	2	1	0	0	2

New guy Morgan Ensberg was 2-3 with a walk and scored 3 runs.

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The Daily Yankeeland

Mike Stanton was prominently mentioned in the Mitchell Report and also had his name come up last week at the Congressional Dog and Pony show. It was Stanton who reportedly mentioned to Roger Clemens that he was bleeding through his pants, reportedly from a steroid injection that Brian McNamee had given him.

Stanton is trying to make the Reds bullpen and he was questioned by reporters yesterday about his involvement. He quickly pulled out the "no comment".

"Officially, I've been advised not to make any comments," the 40-year-old reliever said before the Reds' first workout of the spring for pitchers and catchers.

Was that by a lawyer or an agent?

"That's all I have to say," Stanton added.

Stanton had no problem talking about his good buddy and fellow Bible toting pitcher, Andy Pettitte.

"Being Christians, believing in the Lord, doesn't change the fact that we're all still human, that we all still make mistakes, that we all still have bad judgment occasionally," Stanton said. "Where we're going for eternity doesn't change that fact. So like he said in his interview with Congress, one of the reasons he did what he did was to make himself right with the Lord."

Get off your high horse there Mikey.

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We're still pissed off that Morgan Ensberg was given #21. Yes, Paulie has said he doesn't want a day honoring him and the Yankees are running out of numbers, but C'MON!

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King George arrived at camp yesterday and held a meeting with Joe Girardi, Goose Gossage, Ron Guidry, and Rob Thompson. One can only wonder why it was that combination of people.

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Funny moment for Joe Girardi yesterday. With reporters present, the landline phone rang in the new skip's office. Only Girardi couldn't figure out which buttons to push to answer the phone.

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The Daily Yankeeland

Chuck Knoblauch has his day before congress today as he is being deposed concerning his involvement, or lack thereof, with steroids and HGH. Knoblauch was in good spirits as he arrived carrying his son Jake earlier this morning.

UPDATE 1:00 PM EST - Here are details of Knobby's day.

Agent Jim Murray met with congressional leaders yesterday. Murray's name was repeatedly mentioned on the taped phone conversation between Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee.

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A lot of pundits are saying that Phil Hughes level of success will dictate Brian Cashman's future since the trigger was not pulled on the Johan Santana deal. That's not really a fair assessment since Hank Steinbrenner did not appear to really want to spend the kind of money it would take to sign Santana long term.

Barring an injury, there's no question Santana will continue to be a star for the Mets. It's really not fair to compare how Phil Hughes and/or Ian Kennedy do in their careers.

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Morgan Ensberg's reason for signing with the Yankees? - “When I looked at all the options available, certainly I felt like the opportunity here was the best shot at playing every day."

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Muscling Up: Robinson Cano has reportedly put on 5 lbs of muscle over the winter.

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MLB.com has a piece today exploring A-Rod's chances for a title as a Yankee.

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1st Base Getting Crowded with Ensberg

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com is reporting that the Yankees have agreed to a 1-year minor league deal with veteran 3rd Baseman Morgan Ensberg.

Since some guy named A-Rod is holding down the fort over at 3rd, Ensberg is expected to compete for the 1st Base job with Wilson Betemit, Jason Giambi, Shelley Duncan, Jason Lane, and anyone else the Yankees can scrape off the bottoms of their shoes.

The 32-yr old, right-handed hitting Ensberg had a huge 2005 season when the Astros reached the World Series. That year he hit .283 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI. But he tailed off to 23 HRs and 58 RBI in '06, and hit just .230-12-39 in 115 games split between Houston and San Diego this past season.

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