Manny Ramirez tests positive for PEDs

via Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:

Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today, The Times has learned. The test result and suspension is expected to be announced later today. The Dodgers informed triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul this morning that he was being promoted to Los Angeles.

Normally I would not report on this, but it actually helps the Yankees. With Alex Rodriguez returning tomorrow, this takes a tremendous amount of pressure for him.

Posada to DL, Cervelli promoted

According to WFAN and the Journal News, Jorge Posada was placed on the disable list with a hamstring injury. The Yankees are saying that Posada will be out for two or three weeks, but Peter Abraham is hearing rumors that he'll be out for 3-5 weeks. Francisco Cervelli was called up from Doulbe-A Trenton to replace the injured Posada. Despite his .190/.266/.310 line this season, Cervelli is actually a pretty decent player with a solid glove and strong arm. He'll be a decent backup, and maybe Kevin Long can improve his swing.

Also, Alfredo Aceves was called up to replace Anthony Claggett prior to last night's game. He allowed two runs and struck out seven in four and one-third innings. That is a pretty impressive outing, considering that it was the first time this year he faced major league talent. I'm glad the Yankees finally have a long-man.

SWB Yankees: April 2009

After one month of play, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees have an International League leading 19-4 record. They also lead the IL in batting average (.309), runs (170), hits (262), homers (27), doubles (52), RBI (161) and nearly every other offensive category. The pitching staff is also leading the league innings pitched and are second in saves (8) and strikeouts (184). Needless to say, it will likely be another special season for the Scranton Yankees, who are primed to repeat their 2008 success and capture another IL title. Let's take a look at the three best hitters and pitchers after one month of play:

Hitters:
1. Shelley Duncan - .356/.431/.711 with 9 HR and 28 RBI in 90 AB
2. Todd Linden - .361/.434/.608 with 4 HR and 24 RBI in 94 AB
3. Austin Jackson - .389/.464/.486 with 0 HR and 7 SB in 72 AB

Comments: Interestingly, all three of the best Scranton hitters are outfielders. Duncan has put up very impressive numbers this season and has cut down on his strikeout rate. If a big league corner outfielder goes down with a major injury this season, Duncan could get the call. Linden has been an extremely versatile player while juicing the offense. He won't finish the season with a .360 batting average, but he'll be a major part of the offense going forward. Don't be discouraged by Austin Jackson's lack of home runs, the power will come eventually. He's leading the team in batting average and stolen bases while playing excellent defense. In my opinion, he could win a gold glove in the majors one day if he hits enough.

Pitchers:
Ian Kennedy - 1-0/1.59 ERA/25 K/7 BB in 22.2 IP
Alfredo Aceves - 2-0/3.80 ERA/18 K/5 BB in 23.2 IP
Brett Tomko - 1-0/0.75 ERA/15 K/4 BB/3 SV in 12 IP

Comments: Mark Melancon and Phil Hughes were the two best pitchers for Scranton in the first month of play, but now that they are both with the big league club, I'm not going to count them. Going forward, Ian Kennedy and Alfredo Aceves will anchor the rotation, along with George Kontos. Kennedy has looked great in all of his starts and much will depend on how he rebounds from injury, but I think he'll be fine. After two awful starts, Aceves has turned his season around and has put up very impressive numbers in his past two outings. Tomko has been great as the closer and will likely be the most important member of the pen going forward.

Five Players to Watch:
1. George Kontos (RHSP)
2. Austin Jackson (CF)
3. Jose Valdez (RHRP)
4. Kevin Russo (INF)
5. Eric Hacker (RHSP)

Yankee News and Notes: Hacker, Marte, Nady, Kontos, Chacon

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, I've been doing a lot of work for Pinstripes Plus and just finished a magazine feature on Eric Hacker. With the Scranton Yankees on the road this week, I'll have a bit more time for posts.

I'm not sure if this is typical procedure, but there were at least six scouts on hand at the S/WB Yankees game on Thursday night. Some of them had been there all week. I talked to one of them about Eric Hacker, and he was really impressed by his curveball and demeanor on the mound. He thinks Hacker will end up as a spot-starter or reliever in the big leagues.

Left-hander Damaso Marte was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. He's been replaced in the bullpen by Anthony Claggett, who gave up eight runs in his major league debut. Marte had an MRI on Friday and will visit a doctor tomorrow. Let's hope he can come back soon and turn around his season.

Xavier Nady will undergo a revolutionary surgery that could allow him to return to the Yankees sooner than expected. Nady told the Journal News that doctors will inject platelet-rich plasma directly into the torn ligament in his right elbow. Red Sox reliever Takashi Saito avoided Tommy John surgery by undergoing the same procedure. Getting a healthy Nady back will really help the Yankees, epically if he can play the field.

George Kontos was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over the weekend and will join the starting rotation, replacing Joseph Stephens. Kontos has posted a 2.66 ERA in 21 innings for Double-A Trenton. The right-hander boasts a four-seamer that maxes out at 93 MPH, a hard-breaking slider, and an above-average curve. His changeup could be better, but his fastball and breaking pitches are all very impressive. He'll likely stick around for a while with Scranton.

Former Yankee Shawn Chacon recently signed a contract with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. He'll join the likes of Jay Gibbons, Pete Rose Jr., Carl Everett, Keith Foulke and Armando Benitez. I had no idea how many former major leaguers were on the Bears' roster. I'll have to go watch a few games this summer.

Also, be sure to check out Die Hard Yankees Fan, a new blog authored by Robert Hansen. He'll post game updates, commentary and plenty of engaging thoughts on the New York Yankees.

Casey Fossum joins Scranton, will start today

via Chad "The Man" Jennings of the Scranton Times:

Casey Fossum will start Saturday's Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees game. I don't have contract details or a corresponding move, but I know Fossum is the guy.

The 31-year-old lefty opened the season with Triple-A Buffalo, had a 0.82 ERA through two starts and was called up to the New York Mets on April 19. He allowed one run in three outings out of the Mets bullpen before being designated for assignment on Monday. Fossum has pitched in 237 major league games, 120 of them as a starter.

I really thought George Kontos would have gotten called up, but I suppose the Yankees want to add another veteran arm to the Triple-A staff, especially considering that Jason Johnson could be out for a while with a labrum tear. Fossum was one of the four players traded by the Red Sox for Curt Schilling back in 2003.