Yankees News: Cano in HR Derby tonight, Sabathia’s schedule, Jeter’s shoulder, Teixeira vs. Padilla and Jackson barred

The New York Yankees finished off the first-half of the season last night with a 7-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees moved to 52-33 on the season, their highest mark over .500. With a seven-game lead in the ultra-competitive American League East, the Bombers are going to enjoy some time away from the ballpark to refresh.

That is, most of the Yankees will get some time off. Robinson Cano, the captain of the AL Home Run Derby squad, will be on stage tonight at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. On Tuesday, Derek Jeter, Cano and Curtis Granderson will all be in the starting lineup, hitting 1st, 2nd and 9th respectively, for the American League All-Star team. CC Sabathia will be at the ceremonies, but will not participate in the game as he is recuperating from a groin strain.

Sabathia on track for July 17th start

Speaking of Sabathia, he threw a bullpen session yesterday at Fenway Park prior to the game. As of now, Sabathia is penciled in to start on July 17th against the Toronto Blue Jays. He’ll throw another bullpen tomorrow in Kansas City and then a simulated game at Yankee Stadium on Friday. Sabathia says he felt fine after yesterday’s sessions and expects no problems going forward.

Jeter’s shoulder is fine

Jeter experienced muscle spasms and cramping in his right shoulder in yesterday’s game. Jeter downplayed the uncomfortable feeling which began in the first inning. Jeter could be seen several times during the game trying to exercise the shoulder. It certainly did not affect his play at the plate as he was 3-for-5 with a run scored, though maybe it was bothering him more than he let on in the field, as he made an error and couldn’t make a couple plays on grounders at shortstop during the game.

Teixeira and Padilla extend war of words

Mark Teixeira and Vicente Padilla continued their back and forth comments about one another yesterday. After Teixeira tripled off Padilla in Friday’s game, he helped fill the back pages reminding people of his disdain for Padilla. Teixeira claims that Padilla is a head hunter and he has intentionally been thrown at and hit by the veteran righty. Padilla, not willing to back down, spewed comments that Teixeira called nonsense. Padilla contends that Teixeira is prejudiced against Latino players and added that Teixeira is “better off playing a woman’s sport.”

Jackson barred from Yankees’ events indefinitely

According to a report from Buster Olney at ESPN Magazine, Reggie Jackson has been ordered to stay away from New York Yankees’ events for an indefinite period in light of comments made about Alex Rodriguez and others in a Sports Illustrated magazine feature. Jackson said that A-Rod’s numbers had a “cloud” around them and basically stated that there was no room in the Hall of Fame for players who were linked to performance enhancing drugs. Jackson also took swipes at some recently elected Hall of Famers, including the late Gary Carter.

Noteworthy

• Brett Gardner took 25 swings off the tee and via soft-toss yesterday. He will need to participate in live batting practice before being assigned to rehab games. Gardner has been shut down twice since going on the DL in April.
• Joba Chamberlain continues to progress quickly. He could start a rehab assignment as early as tomorrow, but a location has yet to be determined.
• David Aardsma is scheduled to be checked out by Dr. Lewis Yocum who performed the reliever’s Tommy John surgery. Aardsma was shut down last week after feeling discomfort in the repaired elbow.
• Former Yankees great Bernie Williams was the manager for the World team in yesterday’s Future’s Game, which lost to the U.S. team, 17-5. When asked if he would be interested in managing in the future he sidestepped the question but said it was, “intriguing.”