Derek Jeter's road to 40

MLB.com | 6/26/2014 1:07 A.M. ET

17 years, 11 months, 6 days: The shortstop from Central (Kalamazoo, Mich.) is taken by the Yankees with the sixth overall pick in the Draft.

20 years, 3 months, 5 days: Jeter is named Baseball America's Minor Leaguer of the Year.

20 years, 11 months, 4 days: Jeter's seeing-eye single off the Mariners' Tim Belcher is the first hit of his career. Watch

21 years, 9 months, 7 days: Jeter takes Dennis Martinez deep on Opening Day for his first homer. Watch

22 years, 3 months, 13 days: In Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Jeter's fly ball makes 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier a household name. Watch

22 years, 4 months, 9 days: Fresh off his first World Series win, Jeter is named the unanimous choice for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

26 years, 15 days: With a 3-for-3 showing and two RBIs, Jeter is named MVP of the 2000 All-Star Game. Watch

26 years, 3 months, 29 days: Jeter leads off Game 4 of the Subway Series with a homer, en route to Series MVP honors. Watch

27 years, 3 months, 17 days: "The Flip." Need we say more? Watch

27 years, 4 months, 5 days, 4 minutes: Jeter becomes "Mr. November" with a 12:04 a.m. ET walk-off winner against the D-backs in the 2001 World Series. Watch

28 years, 11 months, 8 days: Jeter is named the 14th captain in Yankees history.

30 years, 5 days: Jeter dives into the stands for his famous 12th-inning catch against the Red Sox. Watch

34 years, 2 months, 26 days: Surrounded by his teammates, Jeter makes the final farewell speech at old Yankee Stadium. Watch

35 years, 2 months, 16 days: With hit No. 2,722, Jeter passes Lou Gehrig for first place on the Yanks' all-time list. Watch

37 years, 13 days: Jeter becomes the second player ever (joining Wade Boggs) to notch No. 3,000 on a home run. Watch

39 years, 1 month, 2 days: Jeter returns from a broken ankle in dramatic fashion with a first-pitch homer. Watch

39 years, 7 months, 17 days: Jeter announces on his Facebook page that the 2014 season will be his last. Watch

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Wishing Yankees icon Jeter a happy 40th birthday

This is 40, Derek Jeter. How does it feel?

"It's like turning any other number," you said Wednesday, on the eve of the big Four-Oh. "I don't really pay much attention to numbers, so it's no different to me."

Just the sort of vanilla response we've come to expect from Derek Jeter.

But something tells us you'll celebrate in style, because we've also come to expect you to rise to any occasion.

The Yankees are off on your big day, a happy coincidence and cause for a bash fit for a Captain.

"I'm pretty sure some family and friends will do something," you said, "like they do for every one of my birthdays and their birthdays."

Soon, those family and friends will have you around more often. Your calendar will give way to an open-ended slate of off-days. You'll get away from the daily privilege of putting on the pinstripes, the daily rituals of BP and ground balls and hearing the voice of God introduce "Numbuh 2," the daily scrutiny that comes with a career on the big stage of the Bronx.

You'll always be Derek Jeter, baseball icon. But soon you'll have more quiet moments to be Derek Jeter, human being. You've hinted at starting a family, summering in Europe, enjoying the fruits of your lifetime labor of love.

You've earned it, buddy.

In the meantime, though, pardon us if we take this occasion to reflect -- again -- on all you've done in and around the game. Because for many of us, it's hard to believe the face of baseball is 40, his career soon coming to a close.

"You don't see people play until they're 40," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said when the topic of your birthday was broached. "If they are, it's usually in a different league. It's pretty remarkable, the career he's had and what he's been able to do. I tip my cap to him."

There's been a lot of that lately, hasn't there, Derek? The tips of the cap and the salutes to your status?

Midway through the 2014 season, you've already been feted with numerous gifts and video tributes on various road stops. You've been discussed in sometimes embarrassingly reverent tones by certain scribes and TV types. One particularly hilarious opponent broadcast provided a "scouting report" that, in lieu of actual in-game discussion, lauded you as the "consummate pro and leader" and an "example to players at all levels" (true, but not exactly tactical).

You're probably uncomfortable with all this, because you never asked to be treated like baseball royalty and certainly not like a baseball deity. In fact, you've spent your entire career making an honest effort to not draw attention to yourself for anything other than your play.

Little wonder, then, that you find the fuss over your 40th to be amusing.

"I'm sorry if you guys want it to be different for me," you told reporters. "It's really not. It's like any other birthday."

Age, though, has its effects in the game you play. There's no denying that. The bat slows, the legs ache, the day-to-day recovery is a little more difficult. You've been the first to admit that 2014, after all that time missed last season, has been an adjustment, and the .267 average and .649 OPS provide ample evidence. Girardi has been careful to rest you when it makes sense ("You don't see us run him out there 14 days in a row," he said), and this, too, has been an adjustment for you.

"My mindset is to treat it no differently than any other age," you said. "That's just how I cope with it. If you sit around and start talking about how you're getting older, then I think mentally you cause yourself some problems. For me, I don't think about it. ... I played 159 games two years ago. My job is to be ready to play every day."

The earnestness with which you approach your job is, ultimately, what has drawn people to you, Derek. "The Flip," "The Dive," the rings and the many milestones are all born out of that genuine love and respect for the sport.

Here on your 40th, we thank you and applaud you for that.

So take this brief birthday break, and then get back to it. The Red Sox are coming to town, there are 85 games remaining in this Yankees season, and we know you've got your eye on a second-half hot streak and one last October.

On behalf of all baseball fans, here's to good health and a satisfying goodbye. Here's to the first 40, the next 40, and whatever amazing moments life still has in store for you.

This is 40. Wear it as well as you wear those pinstripes.

Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his columns and follow him on Twitter at @Castrovince. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees prospect Clarkin solid for Class A Charleston

By Teddy Cahill / MLB.com | 6/26/2014 11:13 P.M. ET

Left-hander Ian Clarkin, the Yankees' No. 7 prospect, threw six scoreless innings Thursday, helping Class A Charleston defeat Savannah, 9-0. He combined with reliever Eric Ruth for a two-hit shutout against the Mets' affiliate.

Charleston took an early lead Thursday, thanks to a first-inning grand slam by third baseman Miguel Andujar, the Yankees' No. 18 prospect. He finished the night 2-for-3 with two runs, six RBIs and a walk.

While the offense started quickly Thursday, Clarkin was wild at the outset of the game. He issued walks to the first two batters in the first inning before settling down to throw four hitless innings. Though a leadoff single in the fifth inning ended any thought of a no-hitter, he finished his night strong, whiffing four of the last five batters he faced.

Clarkin finished his night with seven strikeouts and allowed one hit and four walks. He threw 80 pitches in six innings, matching the longest start of his young career.

The Yankees selected Clarkin with the 33rd overall pick of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. In his first full professional season, he is 3-3 with a 3.08 ERA in 11 starts. He has struck out 57 batters and walked 15 in 52 2/3 innings.

Teddy Cahill is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @tedcahill. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees prospect Severino throws six hitless innings

By Teddy Cahill / MLB.com | 6/25/2014 4:30 P.M. ET

Right-hander Luis Severino, the Yankees' No. 9 prospect, threw six hitless innings Wednesday. While Class A Advanced Tampa's bullpen was unable to complete the combined no-hitter, the Yankees easily defeated Clearwater, 9-3.

Severino was making his second start since being promoted to Tampa. He retired the first 10 batters he faced, before issuing a walk to Phillies' No. 3 prospect J.P. Crawford. Undeterred, Severino set down the next eight hitters in order to end his day.

The combined no-hitter quickly came to an end when right-hander Stefan Lopez relieved Severino to start the seventh inning. Crawford led off with a single, and the Threshers went on to score three runs on two hits and a walk in the inning.

Severino struck out six batters and induced eight ground-ball outs Wednesday. It was his first hitless outing since June 5, 2012, when, in his professional debut, he didn't allow a hit in five innings with the Yankees' Dominican Summer League affiliate.

Severino's latest gem came a day after it was announced that he would represent the World team in the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game next month at Target Field. The Dominican native began the season with Class A Charleston, where he posted a 2.79 ERA and struck out 70 batters in 67 2/3 innings. He was promoted to Tampa after the South Atlantic League All-Star break last week.

Tampa gave Severino plenty of run support Wednesday. First baseman Greg Bird, the Yankees' No. 6 prospect, went 3-for-5 with a run and a walk. Right fielder Aaron Judge, the club's No. 8 prospect, added a two-run triple, two walks and a run.

Teddy Cahill is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @tedcahill. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Wishing Yankees icon Jeter a happy 40th birthday

This is 40, Derek Jeter. How does it feel?

"It's like turning any other number," you said Wednesday, on the eve of the big Four-Oh. "I don't really pay much attention to numbers, so it's no different to me."

Just the sort of vanilla response we've come to expect from Derek Jeter.

But something tells us you'll celebrate in style, because we've also come to expect you to rise to any occasion.

The Yankees are off on your big day, a happy coincidence and cause for a bash fit for a Captain.

"I'm pretty sure some family and friends will do something," you said, "like they do for every one of my birthdays and their birthdays."

Soon, those family and friends will have you around more often. Your calendar will give way to an open-ended slate of off-days. You'll get away from the daily privilege of putting on the pinstripes, the daily rituals of BP and ground balls and hearing the voice of God introduce "Numbuh 2," the daily scrutiny that comes with a career on the big stage of the Bronx.

You'll always be Derek Jeter, baseball icon. But soon you'll have more quiet moments to be Derek Jeter, human being. You've hinted at starting a family, summering in Europe, enjoying the fruits of your lifetime labor of love.

You've earned it, buddy.

In the meantime, though, pardon us if we take this occasion to reflect -- again -- on all you've done in and around the game. Because for many of us, it's hard to believe the face of baseball is 40, his career soon coming to a close.

"You don't see people play until they're 40," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said when the topic of your birthday was broached. "If they are, it's usually in a different league. It's pretty remarkable, the career he's had and what he's been able to do. I tip my cap to him."

There's been a lot of that lately, hasn't there, Derek? The tips of the cap and the salutes to your status?

Midway through the 2014 season, you've already been feted with numerous gifts and video tributes on various road stops. You've been discussed in sometimes embarrassingly reverent tones by certain scribes and TV types. One particularly hilarious opponent broadcast provided a "scouting report" that, in lieu of actual in-game discussion, lauded you as the "consummate pro and leader" and an "example to players at all levels" (true, but not exactly tactical).

You're probably uncomfortable with all this, because you never asked to be treated like baseball royalty and certainly not like a baseball deity. In fact, you've spent your entire career making an honest effort to not draw attention to yourself for anything other than your play.

Little wonder, then, that you find the fuss over your 40th to be amusing.

"I'm sorry if you guys want it to be different for me," you told reporters. "It's really not. It's like any other birthday."

Age, though, has its effects in the game you play. There's no denying that. The bat slows, the legs ache, the day-to-day recovery is a little more difficult. You've been the first to admit that 2014, after all that time missed last season, has been an adjustment, and the .267 average and .649 OPS provide ample evidence. Girardi has been careful to rest you when it makes sense ("You don't see us run him out there 14 days in a row," he said), and this, too, has been an adjustment for you.

"My mindset is to treat it no differently than any other age," you said. "That's just how I cope with it. If you sit around and start talking about how you're getting older, then I think mentally you cause yourself some problems. For me, I don't think about it. ... I played 159 games two years ago. My job is to be ready to play every day."

The earnestness with which you approach your job is, ultimately, what has drawn people to you, Derek. "The Flip," "The Dive," the rings and the many milestones are all born out of that genuine love and respect for the sport.

Here on your 40th, we thank you and applaud you for that.

So take this brief birthday break, and then get back to it. The Red Sox are coming to town, there are 85 games remaining in this Yankees season, and we know you've got your eye on a second-half hot streak and one last October.

On behalf of all baseball fans, here's to good health and a satisfying goodbye. Here's to the first 40, the next 40, and whatever amazing moments life still has in store for you.

This is 40. Wear it as well as you wear those pinstripes.

Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his columns and follow him on Twitter at @Castrovince. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Derek Jeter's road to 40

MLB.com | 6/26/2014 1:07 A.M. ET

17 years, 11 months, 6 days: The shortstop from Central (Kalamazoo, Mich.) is taken by the Yankees with the sixth overall pick in the Draft.

20 years, 3 months, 5 days: Jeter is named Baseball America's Minor Leaguer of the Year.

20 years, 11 months, 4 days: Jeter's seeing-eye single off the Mariners' Tim Belcher is the first hit of his career. Watch

21 years, 9 months, 7 days: Jeter takes Dennis Martinez deep on Opening Day for his first homer. Watch

22 years, 3 months, 13 days: In Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Jeter's fly ball makes 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier a household name. Watch

22 years, 4 months, 9 days: Fresh off his first World Series win, Jeter is named the unanimous choice for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

26 years, 15 days: With a 3-for-3 showing and two RBIs, Jeter is named MVP of the 2000 All-Star Game. Watch

26 years, 3 months, 29 days: Jeter leads off Game 4 of the Subway Series with a homer, en route to Series MVP honors. Watch

27 years, 3 months, 17 days: "The Flip." Need we say more? Watch

27 years, 4 months, 5 days, 4 minutes: Jeter becomes "Mr. November" with a 12:04 a.m. ET walk-off winner against the D-backs in the 2001 World Series. Watch

28 years, 11 months, 8 days: Jeter is named the 14th captain in Yankees history.

30 years, 5 days: Jeter dives into the stands for his famous 12th-inning catch against the Red Sox. Watch

34 years, 2 months, 26 days: Surrounded by his teammates, Jeter makes the final farewell speech at old Yankee Stadium. Watch

35 years, 2 months, 16 days: With hit No. 2,722, Jeter passes Lou Gehrig for first place on the Yanks' all-time list. Watch

37 years, 13 days: Jeter becomes the second player ever (joining Wade Boggs) to notch No. 3,000 on a home run. Watch

39 years, 1 month, 2 days: Jeter returns from a broken ankle in dramatic fashion with a first-pitch homer. Watch

39 years, 7 months, 17 days: Jeter announces on his Facebook page that the 2014 season will be his last. Watch

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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CC slated to make first rehab start on Tuesday

By Bryan Hoch and Jamie Ross / MLB.com | 6/25/2014 12:18 A.M. ET

TORONTO -- Injured starter CC Sabathia had a productive outing in a simulated game on Tuesday, and he will make his first rehab start on Saturday with Class A Advanced Tampa.

The left-hander, who's been on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee injury for the past six weeks, threw two innings without experiencing any pain on Tuesday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

"It's good, he'll start again on Saturday," said Girardi. "Forty to 45 pitches. ... Everything came out well. Obviously, you're curious to see how he feels tomorrow, but he felt it was successful."

Sabathia is one of three Yankees starters currently on a the disabled list. Michael Pineda is on the 60-day DL with a right shoulder injury, and could return in August. Ivan Nova, meanwhile, is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late August.

There's no exact timetable for the 33-year-old's return, but depending on team needs and how well his rehab progresses, there is a slight possibility Sabathia could return by the All-Star break, Girardi said.

"It's getting closer," he said. "You're not sure how many starts he needs to get built up, but once you start to get to that point, four or five starts, it could be a possibility. I wouldn't count on it [before the break], but who knows? Sometimes need has something to do with it."

O'Brien, Severino named to Futures Game roster

NEW YORK -- Impressive slugger Peter O'Brien and talented right-hander Luis Severino have been tabbed to represent the Yankees at this year's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday.

O'Brien will play for the U.S. team and Severino will be in uniform for the World team in the July 13 contest at Target Field in Minnesota. The U.S. Team has won each of the last four Futures Games.

The 24-year-old O'Brien has been showcasing his raw power at Double-A Trenton, where he entered play on Tuesday with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs in 42 games, owning a .228 (37-for-162) batting average.

O'Brien has seen time at catcher, first base, right field and designated hitter this season, with the organization looking to find a place to keep his bat moving through the pipeline.

A second-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, O'Brien batted .321 (36-for-112) with 10 homers and 19 RBIs in 30 games with Class A Advanced Tampa before being promoted in early May.

The 20-year-old Severino was 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 14 starts for Class A Charleston this season, hurling 67 2/3 innings with 62 hits, 24 runs (21 earned), 15 walks and 70 strikeouts.

A product of the Dominican Republic who signed with the Yankees organization in 2012, Severino is currently with Tampa, where he has made one start. He is ranked as the Yankees' No. 9 prospect by MLB.com.

The 16th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game will take place at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 13, at Target Field in Minneapolis, and it can be seen live on MLB.com and MLB Network, and followed live on MLB.com's Gameday. In addition, XM Radio will broadcast play-by-play coverage of the event live on MLB Network Radio XM 89 and Sirius channel 209. MLB.com will also provide complete coverage before, during and after the game.

Fans can stay updated by following @MLBFutures on Twitter and can send and receive tweets to and from the U.S. and World Team dugouts during the game by tagging tweets with the hashtags #USDugout and #WorldDugout.

Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 Major League clubs, selected the 25-man rosters for each club. Each Major League organization is represented, and players from all full-season Minor Leagues were eligible to participate.

Beltran no longer throwing, will only DH for now

TORONTO -- Carlos Beltran's return to the outfield won't be happening anytime soon after it was revealed on Tuesday that he experienced forearm tightness while throwing over the weekend.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he was shutting down Beltran's return to the field, and indicated the 37-year-old would be locked into the designated hitter role for the time being.

"He's not throwing," Girardi said prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays. "It kind of bothered him in a different place. A little bit, not a lot, but we just kind of shut it down."

Beltran hasn't played the outfield since he suffered a right elbow injury in May, which landed him on the 15-day disabled list. Since he was activated June 5, the veteran outfielder has only be used as a DH.

Beltran said the tightness in his forearm occurred on Sunday, and the pain is likely related to the elbow injury he sustained last month.

"It has to be compensation or something that I'm doing," Beltran said. "I was feeling pretty good [on the throwing program], but the forearm was really tight."

Girardi said the using Beltran exclusively as a DH handcuffs him from giving other Yankees position players the opportunity to slide into the role when they need a bit of rest. Players like Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira could benefit from a day as a DH, he said.

"You'd like to be able to rotate the DH," said Girardi. "But right now, you can't."

McCann bidding to be two-league All-Star backstop

TORONTO -- Yankees catcher Brian McCann snapped his 0-for-9 streak at the plate Tuesday night, and later hit his eighth double of the season in a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

McCann is currently third among American League catchers in 2014 All-Star balloting with 1,344,076 votes, trailing the A's Derek Norris (second place, 1,486,850 votes) and the Orioles' Matt Wieters (1,852,770), who's currently injured.

McCann is a seven-time National League All-Star, and was an All-Star MVP in 2010 when he was with the Braves. The 30-year-old is hitting .223 with eight homers and 34 RBIs with the Yankees this season.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15 on FOX.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. Jamie Ross is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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O'Brien, Severino named to Futures Game roster

By Bryan Hoch and Jamie Ross / MLB.com | 6/25/2014 12:18 A.M. ET

NEW YORK -- Impressive slugger Peter O'Brien and talented right-hander Luis Severino have been tabbed to represent the Yankees at this year's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday.

O'Brien will play for the U.S. team and Severino will be in uniform for the World team in the July 13 contest at Target Field in Minnesota. The U.S. Team has won each of the last four Futures Games.

The 24-year-old O'Brien has been showcasing his raw power at Double-A Trenton, where he entered play on Tuesday with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs in 42 games, owning a .228 (37-for-162) batting average.

O'Brien has seen time at catcher, first base, right field and designated hitter this season, with the organization looking to find a place to keep his bat moving through the pipeline.

A second-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, O'Brien batted .321 (36-for-112) with 10 homers and 19 RBIs in 30 games with Class A Advanced Tampa before being promoted in early May.

The 20-year-old Severino was 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 14 starts for Class A Charleston this season, hurling 67 2/3 innings with 62 hits, 24 runs (21 earned), 15 walks and 70 strikeouts.

A product of the Dominican Republic who signed with the Yankees organization in 2012, Severino is currently with Tampa, where he has made one start. He is ranked as the Yankees' No. 9 prospect by MLB.com.

The 16th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game will take place at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 13, at Target Field in Minneapolis, and it can be seen live on MLB.com and MLB Network, and followed live on MLB.com's Gameday. In addition, XM Radio will broadcast play-by-play coverage of the event live on MLB Network Radio XM 89 and Sirius channel 209. MLB.com will also provide complete coverage before, during and after the game.

Fans can stay updated by following @MLBFutures on Twitter and can send and receive tweets to and from the U.S. and World Team dugouts during the game by tagging tweets with the hashtags #USDugout and #WorldDugout.

Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 Major League clubs, selected the 25-man rosters for each club. Each Major League organization is represented, and players from all full-season Minor Leagues were eligible to participate.

CC slated to make first rehab start on Tuesday

TORONTO -- Injured starter CC Sabathia had a productive outing in a simulated game on Tuesday, and he will make his first rehab start on Saturday with Class A Advanced Tampa.

The left-hander, who's been on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee injury for the past six weeks, threw two innings without experiencing any pain on Tuesday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

"It's good, he'll start again on Saturday," said Girardi. "Forty to 45 pitches. ... Everything came out well. Obviously, you're curious to see how he feels tomorrow, but he felt it was successful."

Sabathia is one of three Yankees starters currently on a the disabled list. Michael Pineda is on the 60-day DL with a right shoulder injury, and could return in August. Ivan Nova, meanwhile, is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late August.

There's no exact timetable for the 33-year-old's return, but depending on team needs and how well his rehab progresses, there is a slight possibility Sabathia could return by the All-Star break, Girardi said.

"It's getting closer," he said. "You're not sure how many starts he needs to get built up, but once you start to get to that point, four or five starts, it could be a possibility. I wouldn't count on it [before the break], but who knows? Sometimes need has something to do with it."

Beltran no longer throwing, will only DH for now

TORONTO -- Carlos Beltran's return to the outfield won't be happening anytime soon after it was revealed on Tuesday that he experienced forearm tightness while throwing over the weekend.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he was shutting down Beltran's return to the field, and indicated the 37-year-old would be locked into the designated hitter role for the time being.

"He's not throwing," Girardi said prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays. "It kind of bothered him in a different place. A little bit, not a lot, but we just kind of shut it down."

Beltran hasn't played the outfield since he suffered a right elbow injury in May, which landed him on the 15-day disabled list. Since he was activated June 5, the veteran outfielder has only be used as a DH.

Beltran said the tightness in his forearm occurred on Sunday, and the pain is likely related to the elbow injury he sustained last month.

"It has to be compensation or something that I'm doing," Beltran said. "I was feeling pretty good [on the throwing program], but the forearm was really tight."

Girardi said the using Beltran exclusively as a DH handcuffs him from giving other Yankees position players the opportunity to slide into the role when they need a bit of rest. Players like Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira could benefit from a day as a DH, he said.

"You'd like to be able to rotate the DH," said Girardi. "But right now, you can't."

McCann bidding to be two-league All-Star backstop

TORONTO -- Yankees catcher Brian McCann snapped his 0-for-9 streak at the plate Tuesday night, and later hit his eighth double of the season in a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

McCann is currently third among American League catchers in 2014 All-Star balloting with 1,344,076 votes, trailing the A's Derek Norris (second place, 1,486,850 votes) and the Orioles' Matt Wieters (1,852,770), who's currently injured.

McCann is a seven-time National League All-Star, and was an All-Star MVP in 2010 when he was with the Braves. The 30-year-old is hitting .223 with eight homers and 34 RBIs with the Yankees this season.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15 on FOX.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. Jamie Ross is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Randolph highlights time with Yanks in new book

By Paul Hagen / MLB.com | 6/25/2014 10:00 A.M. ET

It's probably fair to say that Willie Randolph has had a better baseball career than most people realize. As a player, he was part of seven teams that went to the postseason, including five pennant winners and three that won the World Series. He made six All-Star teams and was a Yankees co-captain for three seasons.

When Randolph retired, he ranked fifth in Major League history with 2,152 games played at second base. As a Yankees coach, he went to the postseason 10 straight years and added four more championship rings. Randolph became the first African-American manager in New York City when hired by the Mets in 2005. A year later, he led the team to a 97-win season, which is the last time the team appeared in the playoffs.

All of which gives "The Yankee Way: Playing, Coaching, and My Life in Baseball" its authority. Randolph has produced a thoughtful volume that covers everything from growing up in the tough Brownsville section of Brooklyn to selecting an All-Star Yankees team from his playing and coaching time in that storied organization.

The title is a dead giveaway that Randolph focuses on his time in pinstripes. But there's much more here.

A few recurring themes are a love of baseball, the burning desire to win and the determination to conduct himself in a proper manner that was instilled in him by his parents. While Randolph doesn't beat the reader over the head, he makes it clear that he faced challenges growing up. The park he first played in was littered with broken bottles, garbage and syringes. Randolph's father once chased a drug dealer away from the door.

In the end, though, Randolph concludes that this helped him remain focused during the "Bronx Zoo" days early in his career.

"In a way, being accustomed to all kinds of nonsense going on around me and not getting too distracted by it goes all the way back to my days in Brownsville. I witnessed stabbings, beatings, all kinds of other criminal acts, and some of the worst of humanity," he wrote.

Randolph was drafted and made his big league debut with the Pirates, and outsized personalities like Willie Stargell and Dock Ellis were early influences. With the Yankees, he was with a cast of characters that included Reggie Jackson, Billy Martin, Thurman Munson, Sparky Lyle, Goose Gossage and Mickey Rivers.

That provides plenty of entertaining tales, plus an insider's look at events like the Yankees' loss of Munson in a plane crash, the failure to hold a 3-0 series lead against the Red Sox in the 2004 American League Championship Series, the Mike Piazza-Roger Clemens confrontation during the 2000 Subway Series and even 9-11.

Randolph gives reasoned takes on why the hurt of losing lasts longer than the joy of winning, his managerial philosophy -- he makes no secret of his desire to have another shot and this literary effort can only further that quest -- and the impact of steroids on the game.

Playing the game right, and how the Yankee Way evolved to accommodate that over the years, is naturally a motif throughout. The most powerful passages, however, are probably those that deal with the Mets' inability to hold onto a seven-game lead in the National League East with 17 games to play in 2007, allowing the Phillies to eliminate them on the final day of the season.

Randolph clinically and unflinchingly dissects what went wrong. He addresses the perception that he should have been more emotional down the stretch: "I don't think you can succeed wearing your heart on your managerial sleeve."

Randolph recounts the factors that may have contributed to the late-season fade. He notes that sometimes things happen that defy logic. And Randolph augments his credibility by taking accountability where he believes he should.

Randolph admits that, as a former infielder, he found managing the pitching staff to be difficult. And he concedes that he put too much faith in the idea that the team's veteran leadership could handle the clubhouse.

"Could I have been better at reading the ball club and understanding the team's needs? Absolutely ... I take full responsibility for that and consider it a valuable lesson learned," he wrote.

Willie Randolph's list of personal accomplishments is impressive. To it can now be added accomplished author. This is an absorbing, well-written book.

Paul Hagen is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Tex exits after being hit in foot; X-rays negative

By Jamal Collier and Jake Kring-Schreifels / MLB.com | 6/22/2014 2:58 P.M. ET

NEW YORK -- Fortunately for the Yankees, X-rays came back negative on the left foot of first baseman Mark Teixeira, who was removed in the eighth inning of Sunday's 8-0 loss to the Orioles after being hit by a pitch.

His toes are sore, but Teixeira said he expects to be in the lineup on Monday in Toronto.

After being hit, Teixeira slammed his helmet to the ground while walking back to the dugout as he thought back to a similar situation in 2010, when he was hit by A's right-hander Vin Mazzaro and broke his pinkie toe.

"I've done it before and it's not fun," Teixeira said. "I thought it was broken again, so I took it out on my helmet."

The 34-year-old Teixeira avoided what could have been another addition in a list of frustrating injuries. Surgery on his right wrist limited him to just 15 games last season and has bothered him enough at times this year to keep him out of the lineup. Last weekend in Oakland, he was held out of a game with tightness in his left rib cage.

When Teixeira has been in the lineup, he has been one of the team's most consistent contributors, leading the Yankees in both home runs (12) and RBIs (35). He had a 10-game hitting streak snapped on Sunday.

"Just breathing a sigh of relief right now," Teixeira said.

Gossage receives Monument Park plaque

NEW YORK -- As the Yankees celebrated Old-Timers' Day on Sunday, they took a moment to honor the career of Hall of Fame closer Rich "Goose" Gossage. The Yankees unveiled a plaque dedicated to Gossage to be installed in Monument Park.

Gossage played parts of seven seasons for the Yankees (1978-83, '89) -- winning the World Series in 1978 -- and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008, but he called his moment on Sunday at Yankee Stadium "the greatest day I ever had."

He remembered sitting in the bullpen during his playing days and looking out at the monuments, never thinking he would one day be honored to receive his own plaque.

"I don't even really know what to say," Gossage said during his speech to the crowd, which serenaded him with "Gooooose" cheers. "It's totally overwhelming to me is the only word I can come up with."

Gossage was a nine-time All-Star during his career and complied a 42-28 record and a 2.14 ERA with 151 saves and 512 strikeouts during 319 games with the Yankees. The Yankees also presented him with a ring -- his number 54 coated in diamonds on the center, his name "Gossage" down one side and his career highlights down the other.

Gossage's ceremony came one day after the Yankees dedicated a plaque to Tino Martinez.

When Gossage heard his ceremony would come during Old-Timers' Day in front of some of his former teammates and legendary Yankees from so many different eras, he said he was fortunate to be sitting down when he heard the news.

"I never ever put myself in that kind of company," Gossage said.

Yankees celebrate 68th Old-Timers' Day

NEW YORK -- After taking batting practice, Johnny Damon joked that he officially knew why he was considered an Old-Timer.

Damon and Hideki Matsui, both important contributors on the 2009 World Series champion Yankees, were both first-time participants at the 68th Annual Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium. They were joined by Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson, and Joe Torre, who will be inducted in July.

"It means a lot to me, I was very fortunate and blessed that we were able to win a championship here, and because of that, I can show my face here as much as I'd like," Damon said with a laugh.

Damon just missed a home run to right field in the Old-Timers' game, a spot so familiar to him, when he pulled a line drive off the wall. It was Jesse Barfield who collected the only homer of the day, smashing a line drive down the left-field line.

Derek Jeter, CC Sabathia and manager Joe Girardi laughed this week when asked about some of their former teammates from not too long ago coming back as Old-Timers.

"They're both plenty younger than me, too," Girardi said. "For all of us, there's a time when retirement is part of it and we become Old-Timers."

The Yankees are the only team in the Majors that still hosts an Old-Timers' Day. Girardi said he believes the team's lengthy history has a lot to do with why it still works. Girardi said he would take advantage of the day and he did, spending some time on the field while the legends took batting practice.

Getting a chance to share old stories is one of the unique parts of the day that still makes it special after so many years.

"This is what you miss when you leave the game, is being able to see the people you played alongside of," Torre said. "Unfortunately, when you get to my age, a lot of Old-Timers are guys you managed. That's the scary part about it.

"But it's just great sharing war stories."

Pineda has setback, will wait a week to throw

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have been pretty vague when it comes to a timetable for injured starter Michael Pineda.

But his return, scheduled for some time in August, may be pushed back a little longer after an MRI showed some trace amounts of inflammation behind his right shoulder on Saturday. He was scheduled to throw Saturday, but will now wait another week to be safe.

"We're pretty confident that he'll start throwing [this coming] Saturday," said manager Joe Girardi, who indicated that Pineda will not need another MRI.

"Our doctor felt that it would not be necessary because it was fairly minor -- the amount of inflammation, compared to what it was -- and that a week would be plenty sufficient."

Pineda was scratched from a June 1 intrasquad outing when he felt soreness behind his right shoulder, a setback forcing him to essentially start from scratch.

He sustained the initial injury while throwing a simulated game in Tampa, Fla., in April, attempting to stay sharp while serving a 10-game suspension levied after he was ejected from a game at Fenway Park for having pine tar on his neck.

The righty hasn't pitched in a game since April 23 against Boston.

Bombers bits

Girardi said before Sunday's contest that with a stretch of 17 straight games leading up to the All-Star break after Thursday's off-day, he won't skip starter Vidal Nuno in the rotation.

Jamal Collier and Jake Kring-Schreifels are associate reporters for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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