The Yankees decided they had seen enough of struggling Ian Kennedy for the time-being. They optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before the game to make room for today's starter, Darrell Rasner. The Yankees plan on Rasner making multiple starts (remember, they need replacments for both Kennedy and injured Phil Hughes). Kei Igawa is expected to start Friday or Saturday, depending on whether or not they give Mike Mussina an extra day between starts. They also placed Brian Bruney on the 40-day DL to make 40-man roster space for Rasner.
Kennedy is 0-2 with an 8.37 ERA.
Here are excerpts from Joe Girardi: "We feel he's close, but he's not where he needs to be."
On fill-in: "Igawa's throwing in Triple-A today. He's a leading candidate. We'll see how he throws today."
Here's Kennedy: "I was kind of surprised because I feel like I was doing better. ... They'd rather have me improve in Scranton and get my confidence up.:
And Brian Cashman on what Kennedy needs to work on: "Basically just command. His walk totals are too high. ... This is a performance-based business."
Here's the lineup for today's game:
Mariners
Ichiro CF
Lopez 2B
Ibanez LF
Beltre 3B
Vidro 1B
Betancourt SS
Clement DH
Johjima C
Balentien RF
Silva RHP
Yankees
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Ensberg 3B
Moeller C
Rasner RHP
Comments (12)
Way to go, Yanks. You come into the season with your bold talk of allowing the kids to pitch and riding out the rough spots and building for the future -- and it lasted one whole month. Bravo.
Igawa is going to come up and be the same pitcher he was last year. I'd rather watch Ian learn on the job than see Igawa get pounded every fifth day.
If the Yankees were going to give up on their kids this quick they never should have put them in the rotation to begin with.
DLing Hughes with a broken rib is "giving up on him"?
It helps to think before you comment.
Giambi grounds out with runners on, Imagine that? He has got to go.
whozat, maybe you should acquire a brain before you write. They sent Kennedy down to the minors to bring up (most likely) Kei Igawa. That's giving up on HIM, yes.
Sending Kennedy down to the minors doesn't mean we're giving up on him. After listening to his alarming comments about hating the scrutiny, he needs a change of pace. If he pitches well he'll be back. But it sounds to me like he needs to play for a small market team. I personally don't think he has the guts to make it in NY,
Fan doesn't make sense.
In one sentence, he says that "we're not giving up on Kennedy" and later says that he needs to play for a small market team.
Which is it?
Kennedy just has to take a good look at what Rasner is doing today and learn from it. Rasner is not a talented pitcher. He doesn't have half the arsenal of pitches that Kennedy or Hughes does.
Yet, he is throwing strikes with lackluster stuff and getting hitters out.
Kennedy will be back. He's never had to deal with failure and he's a bit rattled right now. He'll get his mojo back and he'll be a better pitcher for this experience.
Anon
Exactly!
Anon -- don't you know what "it sounds to me" and "personally" mean? It's my opinion that's all. But it doesn't mean the Yankees are giving up on him and I'm not giving up on him yet but I think he may be better off with a small market team if he continues to fear scrutiny. Stating it another way for you ----> no one is giving up on him right now BUT (and it's a Big BUT) if he continues to fear being watched so closely and if he doesn't like all this attention the reality is that he may be better off somewhere else IN THE FUTURE. Got it this time around? I hope so.
we're not giving up on Kennedy but it sounds like he's giving up on himself either here in NY or in the big leagues. His comments make him sound scared.
A hungry PITCHER COMES UP AND MAKES his presence felt Hughes and Kennedy was sp[oiled brats who need a lesson thought.
Sterling on the radio side said yesterday that in the games Kennedy and Hughes appeared/Started NY was a combined 2-10.If NY had gone 6-6 in those 12 games they'd be in 1st place.
I know it's a 'what if 'statement but neither pitcher was getting it done .
Hughes is gone for another 2 month stretch just like last season.
If Rasner pitches well he'll get at least 10-12 starts and all Kennedy has to do is pitch well in 2 or 3 starts at Scranton to be recalled.
Giambi watch: 1 for his last 21
The "Dynamic Duo" are gone! There's still hope for the Wild Card!