The Yankees have solid 26-year old righty starter/reliever Romulo Sanchez to a Japanese team. Sanchez was out of options, so the Yankees didn’t want to put him through waivers and see him on another team in 2011. Sanchez pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He also pitched in 31 games (14 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 10-8 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The Yankees would have kept Sanchez if he had any options left.

The Yankees have released veteran infielder Ronnie Belliard. Belliard played in 13 games for the Yankees this spring and he was 3 for 22 (.136 avg, .318 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. The Yankees have decided to go with Johnny Nunez and Eric Chavez as the backup infielders to start the 2011 season. Belliard didn’t show much in spring training, so the Yankees shouldn’t miss him at all.

The Astros have returned 27-year old lefty starting pitcher Lance Pendleton to the Yankees. Pendleton pitched in 29 games (27 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 12-5 with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Pendleton has now pitched in 102 games (88 starts) in his first five years in the minors and he is 32-22 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The Yankees are glad to get him back.

The Yankees have signed 36-year old righty starting pitcher Kevin Millwood to a minor league deal. Millwood pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. He has now pitched in 414 games (406 starts) in his first 14 years in the majors and he is 159-137 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Millwood will start the 2011 season in the minors but he will likely get a chance with the Bronx Bombers at some point this year.

The Yankees have acquired 28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Chris Dickerson from the Brewers for 30-year old righty reliever/starter Sergio Mitre. Dickerson played in 45 games for the Brewers & Reds last year and he was 20 of 97 (.206 avg, .518 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 5 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 173 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 121 of 454 (.267 avg, .759 OPS) with 62 runs scored, 8 homers, 35 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Dickerson might wind up being the Yankees’ #4 outfielder in 2011. Mitre pitched in 27 games (3 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 0-3 with 1 save, a 3.33 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He pitched in 39 games (12 starts) in his two seasons with the Yankees and he was 3-6 with 1 save, a 5.03 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The Yankees shouldn’t miss Mitre at all so this looks like a good deal for them.