Game 121: Yanks VS. Twins

Here’s the lineup courtesy of PA:

YANKEES (64-56)
Damon LF
Abreu DH
A. Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady RF
Cano 2B
I. Rodriguez C
Betemit SS
Cabrera CF
Rasner RHP

What a wonderful bottom of the order. Betemit and Cabrera (why not stick Jose Molina in there while you’re at it)? Well, Jeter is out after fouling a ball off of his foot in yesterday’s game, so Melky’s return to CF is simply the result of that minor injury (with Betemit moving to SS). The team could really use Hideki Matsui’s bat (he’s running the bases again today), and when he returns, it looks like Melky will finish the season from the bench and Damon will be the regular CF.

UPDATE (2:41) — Quick update as I watch Darrell Rasner pitch a solid game (hopefully the bats will get going) against the Twins. First, Derek Jeter will only be out for today and should return to the lineup on Friday (for the Kansas series). Also, in light of Rasner’s effort, I think it’s important to note that Phil Hughes pitched 5 1/3 strong innings last night (AAA), giving up 2 ER, 1 BB and he struck out 4 (he was throwing 93-94 mph). Rasner’s performance (so far) is good enough to keep him in the rotation for another week. Basically, if Hughes returns, the team will feature a rotation of Mussina, Pettitte, Hughes, Rasner and Ponson. I’d expect Giese to stay in the pen since Girardi seems to like having him as a reliever.