Bartolo Colon was back at Yankee Stadium yesterday, and it sounds like he will be on the mound Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.
Colon, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, played long toss before last night’s 5-2 victory over the Brewers last night at Yankee Stadium and will throw a bullpen session today. If he comes through that session with no problems, the Yanks will hand him the ball Saturday against the Mets.
“There’s a good likelihood that you’ll see him back for this weekend,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “I think that’s our mindset. If he looks the way we’ve been told, then I think yeah, we’re inclined to bring him back for this weekend.”
Colon will provide a boost for the Yankees rotation. He is 5-3 with a 3.10 ERA this season. If Colon has a setback and can’t pitch, Brian Gordon will start Saturday.
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After last night’s game, the Yankees announced they re-acquired pitcher Sergio Mitre from the Brewers for cash considerations. They designated Buddy Carlyle for assignment to make room on the roster. Mitre will join the team today.
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With Colon and Phil Hughes looking ready to return to the starting rotation, Cashman continues to monitor the trade market for pitching, but he sounds doubtful that he will make a move.
“I’d be shocked if I could trade for anything better than what I’m getting off the DL both in the rotation with Colon and Hughes and out of the bullpen with [Rafael] Soriano,” Cashman said. “I can’t see myself somehow acquiring, especially with the players I don’t want to give up from our system, I don’t see us acquiring anything better than what we’re getting off the DL.”
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Closer Mariano Rivera made is 1,011th career appearance, breaking a tie with Roberto Hernandez for sole possession of 12th place on the all-time games pitched list.
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Reliever Joba Chamberlain was at the ballpark last night, his first visit since undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier this month.
He said he is progressing ahead of schedule. . . . Curtis Granderson wore a guard on his right shin after taking two foul balls off the leg Tuesday night but showed no ill effects from the injury, stealing a base and making a long running catch in the second inning. . . . Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari, Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano and former Florida football coach Urban Meyer were at the game.
