Mitre, Gaudin and Aceves toil off radar
ALFREDO ACEVES
Position: Relief pitcher | Age: 28 | Years with Yankees: 2008-Present
Fun Fact: If Aceves can even come close to matching his surprising 2009 season as a staff-saver out of the bullpen (3.54 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 84 innings), the Yankees potentially could have the majors? deepest pen. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Three of the contenders for the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation haven't received much attention, and Joe Girardi said that can be a good thing.
The competition for the job has been portrayed, though not by the Yankees, solely as one between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin and Alfredo Aceves, all mentioned as being very much in the mix by Girardi and pitching coach Dave Eiland, mostly have been ignored.
"They're kind of under the radar. They don't have to talk about it a lot," Girardi said, calling that a net positive.
And he has delivered a message to the trio. "The Yankees have shown over the years we're going to put out the best nine every day," Girardi said. "We're going to put out the best five starters we can and the best seven guys in the bullpen. So that is something they understand."
Hughes and Chamberlain threw their second bullpen sessions Sunday, with each throwing 35 pitches and mixing in breaking balls for the first time. Pitchers throwing their first bullpens usually are limited to fastballs and changeups.
Flag day for Hughes
Looking surprised, if not a little perplexed, Hughes carried a flag encased in a thick wooden frame into the clubhouse and placed it in front of his locker.
The inscription read: "This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United States Capitol on June 24, 2008. At the request of the Honorable Bill Pascrell Jr., member of Congress, this flag was flown for Phil Hughes."
The plaque was signed by Stephen T. Ayers, the acting architect of the Capitol.
Hughes said he has never met Pascrell, a Democrat who represents the eighth district of New Jersey, and was not aware of the flag's existence until Sunday.
It could have been a gift from a fan. According to capitolflags.gov, anyone can purchase a flag, either for that person or someone else, to be flown over the Capitol by making the request through the office of their congressman or senator.
Brackman improving
Andrew Brackman, 24, who went a disappointing 2-12 with a 5.91 ERA (and an astounding 76 walks in 1062/3 innings) for Class A Charleston in 2009, threw in front of Girardi yesterday.
"He was down in the zone all day today, which is encouraging," Girardi said of the 6-10, 240-pound righthander. "I think his mechanics are cleaner. I thought he had a pretty good bullpen session today."
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