Kennedy to rejoin Yankees

I guess the Yankees were really unimpressed with Kei Igawa's performance last week. According to George King, the team will promote Ian Kennedy so he can start against the Mets on Friday.

Kennedy will make his second Triple-A start of the season against Indianapolis (Pirates) tonight, and will probably join the Yankees shortly thereafter. Last week, IPK shut out the Charlotte Knights (White Sox) for 7.1 inning, striking out eight and allowing one hit. Indianapolis is a stronger offensive team than the Knights, thanks to the likes of Andrew McCutchen and former Yankee Kevin Thompson, so if IPK can carve through their lineup, it'll be a good indication that he is ready for the bigs...again.

Meanwhile, Ken Davidoff reminded his readers of the teams that were interested in Kei Igawa last season, and Joel Sherman wrote about the Yankees' preference of Igawa over Ted Lilly two winters ago. I wonder if the Yankees can still get anything for him? If they shipped him to a National League pitching-starved team, they might be able to get an average prospect. Maybe if Shawn Estes does not work out for San Diego, they show interest in Igawa again. The Nationals could also be another option. Just don't expect to get much for him.

Edit: Now it appears that Kennedy will start on Thursday against the Rays instead. Rasner will start the first game of the subway series.

Update (8:30 PM) - Kennedy tossed one inning tonight, and the only hit he allowed was a single from prospect Andrew McCutchen, who was later caught trying to steal second. Kennedy threw 12 pitches, 7 for strikes. I think it would have been a good idea to let him go for at least one more inning, but I suppose the Yankees want to keep him rested so he'll be ready to roll against Tampa.

(photo credit: milb.com)