What do you think about Kuroda?

Hiroki Kuroda gave up 7 ER (5 IP 8 H 3 HR 2 BB 6 K) in the Yankees’ 8-1 loss to Toronto last night.

With his latest performance, what do you think about Kuroda? I think he was a great signing (maybe a bit pricey) and bad starts happen (he was solid the previous 4 games), though I’m interested in hearing your perspective, given what you’ve seen, thus far. Thoughts?

(Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

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Yanks Test “Depth,” Beat O’s 8-5

Thanks to a Mark Teixeira 2-run homer in the 7th inning, the Yankees beat the Orioles last night, 8-5.

The was no celebration, however, as the Yankees also lost Ivan Nova, David Robertson, Raul Ibanez and Clay Rapada to injuries. Of the 4 beat-up Yankees, most concern is squarely focused on Robertson (rib cage soreness) and Nova (right ankle sprain and bruise), as Ibanez and Rapada appear day-to-day. Hopefully neither are lost for extended periods (Robertson will have an MRI this AM).

This just goes to show how quickly “depth” can be thinned (and in just one game)…

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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Pettitte Set to Return Today

At 1:05 PM ET, Andy Pettitte will make his much anticipated return to the mound against the Seattle Mariners. With the M’s relatively punchless lineup, this could be a good start for the 39-year old lefty.

While we all wait to see how he does, chew on this for a bit. What do you think?

(AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

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Yanks Beat Mariners, 6-2

For more, check out the box. Hughes scattered 6 hits and gave up 1 ER over 7 2/3 (1 BB, 4 K)…

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

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Morning Bits: Recap, A-Rod

Hey, folks! Let’s dive in here:

• Led by CC Sabathia, the Yankees beat the Twins last night, 8-4.
• A-Rod is with the Yankees, but won’t be in the lineup until at least Saturday.

As you know, Alex had surgery on July 11 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

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G70: Yankees @ Cubs

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

YANKEES
Brett Gardner LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez SS
CC Sabathia LHP

CUBS
Reed Johnson CF
Starlin Castro SS
Jeff Baker 1B
Aramis Ramirez 3B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Geovany Soto C
Lou Montanez RF
D.J. LeMahieu 2B
Randy Wells SP

Hope you’re all having a nice Father’s Day / Sunday. Enjoy!

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OT: Happy Father’s Day!

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Morning Bits: Recap, Dante, Miller

Here are a few quick items to start the day:

• The Yankees fell to the Cubs last night, 1-3, as Doug Davis tossed 7 1/3 innings of 1-run ball.
• The Yankees have signed their top pick in this year’s draft, the powerful Dante Bichette Jr., for $750k.
• Andrew Gammons says the Yankees tried to get Andrew Miller to opt-out of his contract with Boston.

Miller, a one-time top pitching prospect with the Tigers who was later traded to the Marlins in the Miguel Cabrera / Dontrelle Willis deal, joined the Sox via trade in 2010. He was granted free agency and then re-signed with Boston on a minor-league deal for 2011, though his contract contained an opt-out clause. Miller was recently called up by Boston so that he may start agains the Padres on Monday, however, so the opt-out never became an issue.

Or, at least that’s how it should go, in theory. According to Gammons, the Yankees, as well as several other teams, had spoken to Miller while he was with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, in the hopes that they persuade him to opt-out of his deal. Teams aren’t allowed to do that, of course, as discussing such matters would constitute as a “tampering” in the MLB. Yankees GM Brian Cashman responded to Gammons, calling the accusation “not true.”

Never a dull moment between Boston and New York, huh?

Photo by the AP

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G68: Yankees @ Cubs

Hey there, folks! Let’s try and fix this, shall we?

Here’s the Yankee lineup for today’s game (note that Nick Swisher is leading off (again)):

Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez SS
Brett Gardner LF
Freddy Garcia RHP

To those that have stuck around, many thanks. Let’s see what we can do here…

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Nova & Garcia to round out the Yanks rotation

Via MLB.com:

The Yankees have set their pitching rotation to begin the season, selecting Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia as the Nos. 4 and 5 starters while assigning Bartolo Colon to the bullpen.

Manager Joe Girardi announced the decisions on Saturday before the team’s Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Girardi noted that Colon, who hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2009, will play a role similar to that of former Yankee Alfredo Aceves–serving as a reliever / spot starter. The Yankees also signed Kevin Millwood to a minor league deal yesterday, which gives them some more depth and flexibility going forward (in the event of an injury, etc.).

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