Yankees News: BoSox in town, A-Rod in cast, Joba bullpen scheduled and Swisher out again today

The New York Yankees are back home after a seven-game road trip they would like to forget for several reasons. First, they lost five of the seven games and second, they lost Alex Rodriguez for up to eight weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his left hand.

The Boston Red Sox are the first team the Yankees will meet during this nine-game homestand. The Yankees are 5-1 against the BoSox this season, with all six games played at Fenway Park. The Yankees own a 7.5 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East as the O’s broke a second place tie by beating the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday 6-2 at Camden Yards. The Yankees are 59-39 on the season, while the Red Sox sit in last place in the division one game under the .500 mark (49-50). For a full series preview, check back later this morning to hear the Yanks Go Yard Podcast Series Preview.

A-Rod fitted for cast

Alex Rodriguez met with team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad yesterday and had his hand placed in a cast according to Chad Jennings of The Journal News. The Yankees did not announce an official timetable, but estimates indicate that he could be out as long as eight weeks. The Yankees have stipulated that Eric Chavez and Jayson Nix will take over the third base duties. At the same time they are mentioned in the same breath as Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres, Scott Rolen of the Cincinnati Reds and Ty Wigginton of the Philadelphia Phillies as possible players they could target according to the frenzied rumor mill. They are all most likely just rumors as Brian Cashman had this to offer courtesy of the New York Daily News:

"“I think we have the internal options,” Cashman said. “I’ll do my job, listen and see what the marketplace provides and what the costs are. I don’t think we’ll find anything. If there are cheap alternatives that augment the roster, we’ll see. But I feel comfortable with what I have, knowing that Alex is coming back.”"

These comments all but eliminate Headley as the Padres are reportedly looking for a pitcher of the same caliber of their former starter Mat Latos in return. While Headley would be inexpensive; he is not a free agent until 2015, the question of where he would fit for the next two years would need to be examined. Rolen is just as brittle as Chavez and Wigginton does not have a good glove at third base seemingly making them unattractive options.

Chamberlain to toss important bullpen

Joba Chamberlain will throw an important bullpen session today in front of Yankees manager Joe Girardi and pitching coach Larry Rothschild, so they can see his progress firsthand. Chamberlain has made six relief appearances and has reportedly been hitting the upper 90’s with his fastball. The bullpen is not the final test as he is slated to pitch for Double-A Trenton on Sunday, but it moves him one step closer to joining the big club for the first time in over a year.

One more day without Swisher

The Yankees will be without Nick Swisher for at least one more day as he has been ruled out or today’s series opener with the Red Sox. Swisher took batting practice and ran the bases at Yankee Stadium yesterday, and came out of it without any ill effects, but the Yankees are being cautious, so Swish will be on the bench tonight.

When he returns, Ichiro Suzuki will move over to left field, a position he has not played since Game 5 of the 2001 ALCS as a Mariner in Yankee Stadium.

Noteworthy

• Dewayne Wise cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Wise has yet to accept the assignment.
• Former Yankee outfielder Hideki Matsui was designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays were Matsui’s third team since being let go by the Yankees after the 2009 World Series victory.