SHATTERED: Jorge Posada suffered a small cut on his right calf yesterday when his bat shattered during batting practice and the barrel hit him. He was unhurt and continued to hit and do other drills. "Just a little blood," Posada said.
ACHY HIDEKI: Hideki Matsui might not be at full strength when the Yankee position players begin spring workouts Feb. 21 because of lingering soreness in his right knee, the outfielder told Japanese reporters in New York Monday. Matsui, who is slated to fly to Tampa today to talk to team doctors and trainers, was examined by a doctor in New York. Matsui said he hopes to be healthy enough that he does not have to begin spring training under a different program than his teammates.
IF AT FIRST: Jeter and Posada took batting practice with Shelley Duncan and newly signed infielder Chris Woodward. Duncan was out early to take grounders at first base under the tutelage of Tino Martinez and stayed to take throws when Jeter and Woodward took the field. Posada did multiple drills with an eight-pound medicine ball, tossing it high in the air from a variety of angles. He said it's for "core and overall strength." Though he has been working with medicine balls for about 10 years, Posada quipped, "After a while, an eight-pound ball weighs a lot." ... Several of the Yanks' young pitchers already are working out at the minor-league complex, including Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. ... Rehabbing righty Carl Pavano played catch for the second time.
VIA Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News
Spring Training Update
Tino Martininez To Return As Special Instructor
Bill Madden had a great interview with Hammerin' Hank in todays New York Daily News. Ironically though, Hank was not the most interesting thing in the article. Apparently, Tino Martinez will be returning to the 2008 Yankees in some sort of special instructor/coach capacaity. Madden explains how he first found out Tino would be "back in the fold":
"As he was talking, I noticed a familiar face approaching our booth. Tino Martinez, another Tampa sports celebrity, and an older man whom he introduced as his grandfather had been dining across the room."
"Hey, Tino, how you been?" Hank said, looking up. "You get that all worked out?"
"I haven't heard back yet," Martinez answered.
"Well just call (Brian) Cashman - I'll call him, too - but I'm sure it's all set."
After Martinez departed, I asked: "Back in the fold?"
"Yeah," Hank said. "Tino asked about doing some work for us, coaching, instructing, and at the very least he'll be in spring training with us."
"In that respect, I thought, Hank is just like his dad when it comes to having a soft heart for old Yankees, especially Yankees with championship rings."
