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Struggling Kei Igawa Sent to Minors

The New York Yankees shipped struggling pitcher Kei Igawa to the minors on Monday to make room on the roster for right-hander Matt DeSalvo.

Igawa was optioned to Class-A Tampa, keeping right-hander Darrell Rasner in the big leagues after he pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings Sunday in a victory over the Seattle Mariners. New York had planned to send Rasner right back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after his start, but changed course on Monday.

Rasner, 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA in four starts, is likely to get the ball again Friday night in Seattle.

The Yankees spent $46 million to bring Igawa over from Japan in the offseason and expected him to fill a spot at the back of their rotation. He has largely been a disappointment, going 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA in six games, including five starts. The 27-year-old left-hander has allowed eight homers and 14 walks in 30 2/3 innings.

DeSalvo was set to start Monday night against the Mariners in his major league debut, making the injury-ravaged Yankees the first team in major league history to use 10 starting pitchers in its first 30 games. The 26-year-old right-hander was 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA at Triple-A this season.

Source: ESPN

ESPN's Milestone Tracker

Here is a list of milestones that players are closing in on:

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The whole page didn't show up so here is the link so you can check it yourself

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/flash/milestones

David Ortix Unsure Whether He Has Taken Steroids

It appears Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is not sure if he has taken steroids.

Ortiz told the Boston Herald that he could not say definitively if he had ever used performance-enhancing drugs in the past. The burly designated hitter also said that if he did, it happened when he was much younger.

"I tell you, I don't know too much about steroids, but I started listening about steroids when they started to bring that [expletive] up," Ortiz told the paper. "I started realizing and getting to know a little bit about it. You've got to be careful.

"I used to buy a protein shake in my country. I don't do that anymore because they don't have the approval for that here, so I know that, so I'm off buying things at the GNC back in the Dominican [Republic]. But it can happen anytime, it can happen. I don't know. I don't know if I drank something in my youth, not knowing it."

However, Ortiz, who hit a club-record 54 home runs last season, made light of the situation, joking that he should try steroids just to see what all the fuss is about.

"I should use steroids just to see what's going on," Ortiz joked to the Herald. "Nah. I have a good family. I want to see my kids learn and develop. I think I'm having an OK career. So, I take a lot of Advils, but I think I'm going to stop taking them. They say it [expletive] your liver."

Ortiz spent six nondescript seasons in Minnesota before signing with the Red Sox before the 2003 season. He has quickly become a Boston icon and one of the most popular players in baseball.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Clemens Throws 71 Pitches in Bullpen Session

Roger Clemens could be ready to pitch for the New York Yankees by the end of May.

Clemens threw 71 pitches during his first bullpen session on Tuesday at the Yankees' minor league complex.

Barring any problems, Clemens is scheduled to make his first minor league start Friday for Class-A Tampa. He didn't rule out joining the Yankees after two starts in the minors, which would line up him to face Toronto May 28. The next time through the rotation would have Clemens pitching against AL East-leading Boston on June 2 or 3.

"I think anything is possible," Clemens said. "If I come out of the first two decent, they'll pull me aside and we'll all visit about that for sure. I don't think it's out of the question."

Clemens, who agreed to a $28,000,022, one-year contract on May 6, worked out last week in Lexington, Ky., where his son plays for a Houston Astros minor league club.

"I think I'm right where I need to be to get this under way on Friday," Clemens said at a Legends Field news conference. "Endurance and conditioning, I think I'm very close. I've got to get in a game as quick as possible and I'll have a good telltale sign of what happens on Saturday morning."

When he rejoined the Astros last year, Clemens agreed to a contract on May 31, made three minor league starts and returned to the majors on June 22.

Clemens will likely throw 45- to 60-pitches Friday. He will also work in the bullpen afterward to get his pitch count up to around 90.

"I'm getting closer," Clemens said. "I want to be able to perform like I'm supposed to. Hold up my end of the deal. That's the pressure that comes along with it. I have the same question you all do, is my body going to hold up? I can't answer that. All I can do is do the work and get ready for that."

Clemens threw his split-finger, slider and two-seam and four-seam fastballs Tuesday.

"He was on the money," said Yankees minor leaguer James LaSala, who caught Clemens. "Great stuff. Great command."

Clemens also discussed mechanics with several pitchers, including promising rookie right-hander Phil Hughes, Jeff Karstens and minor leaguer Joba Chamberlain, while working on the mound.

"I enjoy teaching," Clemens said. "I enjoy working with them, talking to them and trying to answer their questions. I give them credit, they've asked some really detailed questions."

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner started his workout by jogging through the area around the complex. He also took part in fielding drills during his hour on the field.

Clemens said he has no idea if this will be final season.

"How can I answer that?" Clemens said with a smile. "I'm doing so great at retirement. I've been telling you for what, how many years now? I wish I knew that."

Source: ESPN

Josh Beckett Heads to DL

Josh Beckett is headed for the disabled list because of a finger injury and is expected to miss two starts before returning for Boston's home game May 29 against Cleveland.

Beckett, baseball's winningest pitcher at 7-0, is recovering from a torn flap of skin on the middle finger of his throwing hand. The right-hander will throw on the side before Friday night's game against Atlanta, which he had been scheduled to start.

The Red Sox said Beckett would go on the disabled list Friday and right-hander Devern Hansack would be recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to face the Braves. So far this year, no member of the Red Sox's rotation has missed a game because of an injury.

"We included him in this decision a lot," manager Terry Francona said of Beckett. "He was very thoughtful and conscientious in what he was saying to us and we talked to him for a long time about it."

He said "nothing went backward at all," in Beckett's recovery. "He will prepare to start in the 29th," Francona said.

The finger injury forced Beckett out of last Sunday's 6-5 win over Baltimore after four innings. He had won his other seven starts and has a 2.66 ERA.

With Florida in 2002, Beckett's first full season in the majors, blisters on the middle finger sent him to the disabled list three times. In 2004, he made three more trips to the disabled list, two of them because of injuries to that finger. He stayed off the list last season, his first with the Red Sox.

Hansack will start his second stint with Boston. He was called up May 3 when reliever Mike Timlin went on the disabled list and returned there May 11. In his only appearance, he allowed one run in 2-3 of an inning on May 8 against Toronto.

Source: ESPN

Report: Giambi Failed Drug Test

Jason Giambi failed an amphetamines test within the last year, the Daily News reported Wednesday.

The newspaper reported that with the failed amphetamines test, Giambi has been subjected to six additional tests for one year. The newspaper did not cite any sources in its report.

Giambi declined comment to the newspaper before the New York Yankees' 7-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

The Yankees slugger recently said in a USA Today interview that he was "probably tested more than anybody else."

Before the failed test, lawyers for the commissioner's office and the players' association held more conversations Tuesday on a possible meeting with Giambi but it remained uncertain when or if such a gathering would take place.

Lawyers for Major League Baseball would like to talk to Giambi about comments in last Friday's editions of USA Today.

"I was wrong for doing that stuff," the New York Yankees designated hitter was quoted as saying, remarks some have interpreted as an admission of steroids use.

Management lawyers would like to hold the meeting as soon as is practicable. The failed amphetamines test most likely wouldn't be discussed at a meeting since MLB policy is to keep a first positive test secret.

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson took issue with one of Giambi's comments.

"What we should have done a long time ago was stand up -- players, ownership, everybody -- and said: 'We made a mistake,"' Giambi was quoted as saying. "We should have apologized back then and made sure we had a rule in place and gone forward. ... Steroids and all of that was a part of history. But it was a topic that everybody wanted to avoid. Nobody wanted to talk about it."

Robinson said Giambi should speak for himself.

"If Jason wants to confess, then he should come out and say: `I'm guilty. I apologize. I apologize to baseball. I apologize to all the fans that have supported me and supported baseball over the years. And I will clean up my act and promise you I will not do anything like this again,"' Robinson said during an interview on ESPN. "He should not drag others into (it), because when he says baseball, that includes everybody in baseball."

Before the Yankees played Boston on Tuesday night, Giambi was asked about a report in the New York Post that said the Los Angeles Angels had an interest in acquiring him. Giambi has a full no-trade clause.

"This is all news to me. I'm a Yankee," he said. "It's kind of fun to read. I never asked for it."

Source: Sports Illustrated

Yankees Donate $1 Million To Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

In a pre-game ceremony prior to today's game vs. the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees will make a $1 million contribution to the Virginia Tech "Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund", established to aid in the healing process following the tragic events that took place in Blacksburg, Virginia on April 16.

The Yankees will also honor the memory of the victims by wearing the Virginia Tech logo on their caps, as well as painting a special Virginia Tech logo on the field.

Virginia Tech will be represented by President Dr. Charles Steger, who will throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch. Also on hand for the ceremony will be Director of Athletics Jim Weaver, Capt. Vince Houston of the Virginia Tech Police Department and Jason Dominczak and Matthew Johnson of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad.

In addition to the donation, the Yankees will announce a commitment to play in an exhibition game on or near the campus of Virginia Tech some time during 2008.

"The events that took place this spring in Virginia have deeply affected us all," said New York Yankees Principal Owner George Steinbrenner. "But the Virginia Tech community has shown great spirit and resolve during this difficult time, and the New York Yankees are proud to join so many others in supporting the healing process."

Said Dr. Charles Steger, President of Virginia Tech, "On behalf of everyone associated with Virginia Tech, including the families of the victims of our recent tragedy, I would like to convey our sincere gratitude to the New York Yankees organization for this wonderful contribution to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund."

The "Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund" will be used to cover expenses including, but not limited to: grief counseling, memorials, communication and comfort costs and general assistance to victims and their families.

Source: New York Yankees

Big Papi Wouldn't Rule Out Playing For Yanks

Unlike Johnny Damon, who once vowed he never would play for the Yankees, David Ortiz said that he would not rule out playing for the Red Sox™ rivals in the future. In an interview in the current issue of Time, Ortiz responded to a reader™s question about playing for the Yankees by saying: œI would never say no because you never know what can happen with your career. You can never fall in love with a team.

Source: Boston Herald

John Smoltz Becomes First Pitcher With 200 Wins and 150 Saves

For only the second time in a regular-season game, John Smoltz sensed an extra excitement that normally only comes in the postseason.

"Euphoria," Smoltz said.

For baseball's all-time leader in postseason wins, the added edge made him feel right at home.

Smoltz became baseball's first pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, achieving the feat by throwing seven shutout innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1 win over the New York Mets on Thursday night.

Smoltz talked Wednesday of treating his third start of the season against his friend and former teammate Tom Glavine as a normal game, but the milestone changed that.

"I downplayed it as long as I possibly could," Smoltz said. "I tried not to think about it in any different fashion, but it was just a different game."

It was different because so much was on the line, including Smoltz's 200th career win, but it was the same because the Atlanta ace extended his string of strong starts this season.

The Turner Field crowd of 36,660 gave Smoltz a standing ovation after the game. Smoltz lifted his cap to acknowledge the crowd.

"I don't come out for many things, but I wanted to show them I appreciate it," Smoltz said.

"I tried to approach games like this as just another day, but when I walked out there, it was different," he said.

Smoltz, who has 15 postseason wins, said he's experienced a similar thrill in a regular-season game only once.

"The first time I came out of the bullpen and the crowd went nuts," he said. "Euphoria. It felt like that again."

The 40-year-old Smoltz gave up seven hits without a walk and struck out five. In back-to-back wins over Boston and the Mets, Smoltz has thrown 14 scoreless innings while allowing 10 hits and one walk.

"He's beyond a Hall of Famer," said Braves catcher Brian McCann. "He's amazing. It was awesome. It's amazing to catch someone like that."

Smoltz became the 106th pitcher to reach 200 wins and the first with at least 200 wins and 150 saves. He saved an Atlanta-record 154 games as the Braves' closer from 2001 through 2004. Dennis Eckersley entered the Hall of Fame in 2004 with 197 wins and 390 saves.

Source: ESPN