Yankees Notes

PETTITTE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Longtime New York Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte has announced his retirement.  It was unknown whether or not Pettitte would return to pitch or decide to retire, with the Yankees dangling several contracts in front of him to convince him to play.  In his career, Pettitte went 240-138 with a 3.88 ERA, no saves and 2,251 strikeouts.  Pettitte ranks in the top five in several Yankees pitching categories and in the top ten in several categories in MLB history among left handed pitchers, as well as holding various postseason records.  His legacy among the greats is heavily tainted by the fact that he was named in the Mitchel Report as a user of performance enhancing drugs throughout his career and his eventual admission to using Human Growth Hormone.

YANKEES SIGN TWO INFIELDERS

The New York Yankees have agreed to terms with IF Ronnie Belliard and IF Eric Chavez on Minor League contracts and have invited them to Spring Training.  Belliard is expected to compete for a spot as a utility infielder and possibly as a right handed compliment to DH Jorge Posada.  Chavez's place on the team is less clear though he hopes to get a job as a fill-in for 3B Alex Rodriguez, 1B Mark Teixeira, and Posada.

Last season Belliard batted .216 with two home runs, 19 runs batted in and two stolen bases in 82 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, filling in at second base, third base, and first base.  Last season Chavez batted .234 with one home run, ten runs batted in and no stolen bases in 33 games with the Oakland Athletics, seeing time as a DH and at first base when he played the field.  He missed most of the season due to a neck injury.

YANKS SIGN AYALA

The New York Yankees have agreed to terms with RHP Luis Ayala.  Ayala will compete for a spot out of the bullpen.  Last season Ayala pitched for three different organizations at the AAA level and went a combined 2-10 with a 6.48 ERA, four saves and 31 strikeouts in 36 appearances out of the bullpen.  He was signed based largely upon his performance in the Mexican Winter League this off season.

YANKS VOID VIZCAINO'S CONTRACT

The New York Yankees have voided the contract of RHP Luis Vizcaino.  Vizcaino was signed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training by the Yankees in December based primarily on his performance in the Dominican Winter League.  His contract was avoided after he suffered an Achilles' tendon injury in the Winter League and was lost for the season.  Vizcaino missed all of 2010 and all but 11 games in 2009 due to injuries.