Bad, bad news out of Yankee land yesterday. After playing the cards close to the vest, Yankee brass had to announce that new, right-hander Michael Pineda, will be having shoulder surgery and is gone for 2012. Pineda, obtained this winter for #1 prospect, Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi, had passed all his physicals before the trade was made, so the thinking is that he injured himself this spring with the Yanks and was not "damaged goods" when he arrived.

And while the Yankees were saying that the youngster was penciled in for the number three or four starter, the thinking was that they really hoped and expected him to step up to the #2 spot just behind CC Sabathia. So for now, Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes -- neither of whom is earning his stripes so far this season -- will be counted on to go out every five days and pitch strong enough to keep the Yankees in the game.

Of course, the same day that the Pineda news was announced, Andy Pettitte was making a start for AA Trenton Thunder. Being this close to the Bronx put a brighter spot-light on what is still a preliminary start to being ready to help out the big ball-club. There's pressure now for Andy to re-enter the rotation sooner rather than later, but the Yankees will not bow to that: the season is early and the AL-East is so tight that the chance of being buried with the less-than-stellar efforts so far from the back-end of the rotation.

Meanwhile in Texas, the Yanks lost the second of three to the Rangers. Phil Hughes put them in a hole and the Texas bullpen patched together the win. The Yanks really would like to take the upcoming series against Detroit who knocked us out of the playoffs last fall.


I'm looking to take a research/field trip to the Mall of America for the screenplay I am working on. That little day-time adventure (on what is really shaping up to be more of a beach day) should be enough material for a good, long "first date" scene for the movie.

I had to take "Rose" down from sales at the main, print-on-demand site yesterday due an oversight I had made in the initial print: apparently a copyright page is something of import. Funny enough: not a single soul noticed that it wasn't available. Didn't get one email telling me that someone had tried to buy the book- and were rebuffed.

But that is all back up and ready for you to take home. Go here: https://www.createspace.com/3527985

Thanks for reading,
Brian