The Yankees have placed 34-year old starting 3B Alex Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right calf. A-Rod has played in 112 games for the Yankees this year and he is 113 of 427 (.265 avg, .818 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 21 homers, 97 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Yankees have recalled 23-year old righty starting pitcher Ivan Nova from AAA to replace A-Rod on the active roster. Nova has started 23 games in AAA-ball for the Yankees this year and he is 12-3 with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He also has pitched in 2 games (0 starts) earlier this year for the Yankees and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.

The Yankees have placed 34-year old switch hitting 1B/DH Lance Berkman on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle. Berkman has played in 12 games for the Yankees since coming over in a deal with the Astros and he is 7 of 39 (.179 avg, .555 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Look for Marcus Thames to get a huge bump in playing time until Berkman gets healthy. Thames has played in 51 games for the Yankees so far this year and he is 38 of 121 (.314 avg, .853 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 4 homers and 16 RBIs. Don’t look for his average to stay as high as it is right now because he whiffs a lot (39 times so far this season), but the Yankees will be o.k. with the whiffs because of Thames’ power. The Yankees have recalled 23-year old righty swinging shortstop Eduardo Nunez who was their #14 ranked prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Nunez has played in 118 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 134 of 464 (.289 avg, .721 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 4 homers, 50 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He has now played in 656 games in six years in the minors and he is 701 of 2,557 (.274 avg, .687 OPS) with 312 runs scored, 30 homers, 300 RBIs and 113 stolen bases. Don’t look for Nunez to get much P.T. for the Yankees unless they suffer some injuries in the infield.

The Yankees will be without veteran lefty starter Andy Pettitte for the next 4-5 weeks due a severe groin injury he suffered in his start earlier today against the Rays. Pettitte has pitched in 18 games (all starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 11-2 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The Yankees have 29-year old righty Sergio Mitre penciled in to come off the D.L. to replace Pettitte in the starting rotation. Mitre has pitched in 12 games (2 starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 0-1 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. I fully expect the Yankees to make a trade for a starting pitcher as I don’t think they can trust Mitre.

The Yankees have placed 35-year old lefty starting pitcher Damaso Marte on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury. Marte has pitched in 30 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this season and he is 0-0 with 0 saves, a 4.08 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. The Yankees have recalled 25-year old lefty reliever Boone Logan to replace Marte in the pen. Logan pitched in 17 games (0 starts) earlier this season for the Yankees and he was 0-0 with a 3.93 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. He needs to tighten up his control as he has walked 12 batters in only 18 1/3 innings this season for the Yankees.

The Yankees have placed 29-year old righty reliever/starter Sergio Mitre on the 15-day disabled list with a oblique strain. Mitre has pitched in 12 games (2 starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 0-1 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He has only given up 16 hits in 25 innings this year as he is actually looking good for once. The Yankees have recalled 25-year old lefty reliever Boone Logan from AAA to replace Mitre in the pen. Logan has pitched in 13 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 0-0 with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP.