Cashman Expects Rivera to Return

GM Brian Cashman is adamant that his team can survive the season-ending knee injury to closer RHP Mariano Rivera.  And the Yankees are unflinching in their prediction that he will return, possibly as early as later this season (though those expectations probably aren't realistic).  Rivera announced on Friday that he will attempt to comeback and is not considering retirement at this time.

Rivera will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL (he also tore the meniscus in the same knee) sometime next week, an operation which typically requires six months of rehabilitation to return, so it will be - and this is a huge understatement Yankees fans - a long shot for him to return this season.  He has remained with the team in Kansas City.  Rivera will be examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad tomorrow and will then pick a surgeon to perform the procedure.

Rivera's injury has created a domino effect in the Yankee bullpen.  RHP David Robertson will start closing games and RHP Rafael Soriano will remain in a setup role (though with more important innings to handle) and LHP Boone Logan and RHP Cory Wade should see more time in the middle innings.  Robertson struck out the side last night against Kansas City in a non-save situation.  Cashman was eating with his children in a restaurant when he got the news that Rivera was injured.

Swisher to have MRI

RF Nick Swisher left yesterday's game against Detroit after drawing a walk in the third inning due to a tight left hamstring and will undergo an MRI.  He struck out in the bottom of the first and made a putout in the top of the third on a line drive hit by Tigers CF Austin Jackson, a play for which he barely had to move.  Swisher was then walked by RHP Max Scherzer in the bottom of the third and stayed in the game for two pitches to DH Raul Ibanez and a pick-off attempt at first base, but he was then removed for PR Andruw Jones after complaining of the tightness.

Swisher currently leads the American League in extra-base hits and is second in runs batted in. 

Fister to Begin Rehab

Detroit RHP Doug Fister, injured in his first start of the season on April 7, will make his first rehab start on Wednesday with Toledo.  He could rejoin the rotation after only one start.  Fister was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained rib cage in his 2012 debut against Boston after pitching 3.2 scoreless innings.

Fister threw a problem-free bullpen session Saturday.  He went 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA in ten starts for Detroit after being acquired in a mid-season trade from Seattle, normally pitching behind RHP Justin Verlander, who won the AL Cy Young Award last season.

Sherrill to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Seattle LHP George Sherill will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on May 4.  He only pitched in two innings this season before being shut down with elbow discomfort after allowing four earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched.  Last season, Sherill went 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings pitched for Atlanta and Seattle signed the 35-year-old former All-Star to a one-year, $1.1 million contract in the off-season.

Seattle currently has LHP Charlie Furbush and LHP Lucas Luetge in the bullpen.

Garcia Removed from Rotation

The Yankees have moved RHP Freddy Garcia to the bullpen.  The announcement was made yesterday, one day after he gave up six runs in 1.2 innings pitched against Detroit and saw his ERA climb to 12.51.  Garcia went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA last season for New York and he was re-signed in the off-season to a one-year, $4 million contract, although he's been the worst pitcher in a bad rotation so far this season.

In addition, RHP Michael Pineda is gone for the season and RHP Phil Hughes is pitching true to form (in other words, badly).  The obvious choice to replace Garcia in the rotation is rookie RHP David Phelps, a top prospect who made the team out of Spring Training as a long reliever.  Garcia's turn in the rotation won't come around until Thursday, so an announcement is not imminent and if the team is forced to use Phelps out of the bullpen between now and then he likely won't be able to make a start, and with plenty of off days in their schedule the Yankees could presumably skip the fifth starter's spot the next time it comes around and call up LHP Andy Pettitte when Garcia's spot comes up a second time.  Pettitte pitched for Tampa today and could need one or two more starts before he is ready to return to the Majors.

Hamilton Leaves game with Stiff back

Texas LF Josh Hamilton left last night's game against Tampa Bay with stiffness in his back.  He currently leads the American League in homers and runs batted in.  Hamilton also leads the AL in total bases and slugging percentage and was injured while running from first to second on a force-out, although he stayed in the game for two more innings.

Tampa Bay won the game 5-2.

Oakland Signs Inge

Oakland has agreed to terms on a contract with free agent IF Brandon Inge.  Minnesota, Baltimore, and Arizona had also shown interest in the 34-year-old who was released by Detroit on Thursday after spending his entire 12-year career there.  Inge is expected to split time at third base with the A's with IF Eric Sogard, IF Josh Donaldson, and IF Luke Hughes after losing 3B Scott Sizemore with torn left knee ligaments in Spring Training.

Inge lost his starting job in Detroit after they signed 1B Prince Fielder and a domino effect resulted in Miguel Cabrera being moved back to third base, and he was competing for playing time at second base but was slowed down by injuries and bad offense, batting .197 in 2011 and only .100 with six strikeouts and two extra base hits this season.  Oakland is responsible for the pro-rated league minimum for him as the Tigers are on the hook for the rest of his $5.5 million salary.