All-Stars reflect on Jeter's final Midsummer Classic

MINNEAPOLIS -- Derek Jeter's final All-Star Game went better than anyone could have anticipated.

The Yankees shortstop and captain had two hits -- a double and a single -- and scored the game's first run in his two at-bats. And when Jeter was pulled off the field to the strains of "New York, New York" and replaced in the top of the fourth inning, he was given a rousing ovation that included numerous tips of his own cap to the sellout crowd of 41,098 at Target Field.

"I thought it was great," Jeter said after his American League squad defeated the National League, 5-3. "I didn't know what was going to happen. My back was turned and I heard [Robinson] Cano yelling. Usually when he, yells I ignore him. And then I saw [Alexei] Ramirez come out. So it was a wonderful moment that I am always going to remember. I appreciate [manager] John [Farrell] doing that for me.

"But it was a special moment and it was unscripted, and like I said, I was unaware of it. The way the fans treated me, these are fans from all different teams, and fans have always been respectful of me my entire career, both at home and on the road. It was great for them to have that kind of reaction, especially in an All-Star Game."

Here's a sampling of what some his teammates and opposing players thought about playing with or against Jeter in his 14th and final All-Star Game.

From the AL

White Sox shortstop Ramirez on replacing Jeter in the game: "I wasn't expecting it, but the manager came up to me and asked me to go into the game in the fourth inning. It's such a great honor to have that moment with a legend of American baseball. I'm really proud to have had that moment. I was really nervous, because I'm replacing a person who is a superstar and has spent all of his life in baseball. For me, it was an honor. I took it as a sign of respect."

Farrell on how the decision was made to pull Jeter out: "It went back about a week ago. In talking with Joe Torre and others, they just kind of got my thoughts on how we looked to highlight Derek when he came out of the game, where he might hit in the lineup. We tried to get at least two at-bats for him. Pick either the fourth or the fifth inning when we went on the field for defense to highlight his replacement. You know what? He has a flare for the dramatic. As we know, he had two base hits and scored the first run. It worked out pretty well."

Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler: "It was funny to see him. The second round of applause, he wanted to play. He wasn't comfortable standing out there. Other than that, he did what he always does. He drives the ball to right field. He gets himself into position. He's a good player. Right off the bat, the first hitter of the game, he makes a diving play."

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu: "It's an incredible moment, but it's also a difficult moment to see his last All-Star Game, his last time coming off the field. But for me, for all of us in the dugout, it's a proud moment, a proud moment to share with him. Understanding what his career has been, what he has meant to the game of baseball, I have to thank God for giving me that moment with him, such a legend."

Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer: "It's just the icing on the cake. The All-Star Game is such a huge event and such a special moment for all of us. I had the opportunity last year to be a part of Mariano Rivera's last All-Star Game, and it was a special moment. It was the same with this year. Saying farewell to Derek is something that we'll all remember as well."

Angels left fielder and All-Star Game MVP Mike Trout on what he said to Jeter: "I can't even remember, it's been a whole blur these past couple of days just being a part of this moment. It's very special to me and my family."

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones: "It's sad to see him in his last All-Star Game. It's sad to see him go, that he's not going to be around in 2015. But the 20 years he gave baseball were unbelievable."

From the NL

NL manager Mike Matheny on the way the crowd reacted: "Yeah, it was the right thing. I think the people here in Minneapolis and the fans from all over the world that came here showed the kind of respect that he deserves. And once again, I can't think of many people who have taken the opportunity and the platform that Derek has and has done as much with it as what he's done. And the guys on our side have the utmost respect for him and would like to have been standing out there for a little while longer. I think Derek was the one that was uncomfortable with it. But everybody else knew that as long as we stood there and applauded him, it was right."

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley: "He deserves that if not more for all he has done for the game of baseball. He's going to be missed next year."

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton: "He stayed inside the ball just like he's done for 20-something years and he got that double, just classic Jeter. He deserves everything we did and more. His career stands for itself. It's the least we could do for him. It's unbelievable. There won't be another player like him forever, if not for 50-something years"

D-backs catcher Miguel Montero: "It was great to be in the last one Jeter played in. That was something special. It was awesome. It was an unforgettable experience. I can tell my kids, and they actually were in the stadium when daddy played against Jeter in his last All-Star Game."

Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy on being behind the plate for Jeter's first at-bat: "It was pretty awesome. I think that having a guy like Derek Jeter come up in that situation, it definitely was an honor for me to be a part of and neat to see. You kind of appreciate what it means to be a guy like that, who has played as long as he has and been successful as long as he has. He plays the game the right way and has always been a clean, hard-working, hard-playing guy, and I think everyone appreciates that."

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the big ovation: "I was trying to take it all in, a special moment, something I will remember forever. It was cool. You really can't put it into words, but it was awesome out there. It's Derek Jeter, the face of baseball. Hall of Famer, great guy on top of everything he does well on the field. I expected he'd get a special ovation."

Reds third baseman Todd Frazier: "That was cool. That was awesome. I liked the Bob Sheppard announcement: 'Now batting, No. 2…' I used to mimic him all the time. They did it up right. I was happy for him. He got two hits, unfortunately for the National League. He's a great athlete. He's a Hall of Famer. I'm very happy for the sendoff he had."

Barry M. Bloom is national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Betances not surprised by Jeter's All-Star showing

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 7/16/2014 2:13 A.M. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Dellin Betances used to be one of those kids spending a summer afternoon in the Yankee Stadium bleachers, so he never needed much of an introduction to Derek Jeter's flair for the dramatic moments.

Yet even Betances had to shake his head and laugh as Jeter rose to the occasion in his final All-Star Game on Tuesday night, stepping into the box after an extended standing ovation to lace a double to right field off the Cardinals' Adam Wainwright leading off the first inning.

Jeter also flared a third-inning single off the Reds' Alfredo Simon, finishing 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in the American League's 5-3 victory at Target Field.

"To be here with Jeet and he goes 2-for-2, it was a great experience, man," Betances said. "It was definitely special. Wainwright, classy guy. He definitely let Jeter get his ovation. Of course, Jeet is going to get a hit. What else do we expect?"

Betances, 25, was one of just two American League All-Stars who did not see action in Tuesday's game; Blue Jays hurler Mark Buehrle was also left out, while the National League did not use four players.

A first-time All-Star after posting a 1.46 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings, spanning 40 appearances, Betances said that he was not disappointed that Red Sox manager John Farrell couldn't work him into the contest.

"I enjoyed this experience. It's a very special experience," Betances said. "I guess I could use the rest. I'll take the extra days off and be ready to help the team win the division in the second half."

Betances said that he figured that he and Buehrle were being held out in case the game went to extra innings, as they could both have pitched multiple innings.

"For me, I try to enjoy it as much as I can," Betances said. "I would've loved to pitch, but I enjoyed this. Hopefully, next year things go my way and I get to participate again, or whenever that time is, I'll have a chance to pitch. The days off definitely will help."

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

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MLB Notebook: Jeter and Trout spark AL victory

On July 11, 1978, in San Diego, Giants left-hander Vida Blue -- honored with the starting assignment for the National League in the 49th All-Star Game -- immediately faced the unenviable task of trying to keep leadoff hitter Rod Carew off the bases.

As many pitchers did around this time, Blue failed, surrendering a triple to the lefty-swinging hitter, who just a year before had made a run at hitting .400. With Carew at third, George Brett -- who, in 1980, would replicate Carew's chase for a .400 season -- doubled against Blue and later scored to give the American League a 2-0 advantage in the first inning.

The dynamic duo would be at it again in the third, with Carew opening the inning with a triple and Brett again driving him in, this time on a sacrifice fly. Brett would later single, and although the AL lost for the seventh straight time, those two at the top of the Junior Circuit's starting lineup had done something no other teammates hitting first and second in an All-Star Game had ever done: each had at least two hits, each had at least one extra-base hit, and each scored at least one run.

Derek Jeter and Mike Trout, with their performances in Minnesota on Tuesday night, joined those two AL icons.

Captain goes out in style
In the 85th All-Star Game, the AL fell a single shy of hitting for the cycle while jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and it eventually came away with a 5-3 victory.

Jeter -- an All-Star for the 14th time -- led off for the AL and went 2-for-2 with a first-inning double and a single in the third. With the effort, Jeter finished his All-Star career with 13 hits in 27 at-bats (he's totaled 29 plate appearances) for a .481 career average.

There are 51 players who have collected at least 25 plate appearances in the Midsummer Classic. Among that group, Jeter's .481 mark is second to Charlie Gehringer's .500 (10-for-20 in 29 plate appearances).

Derek Jeter ranks second in batting average among players with at least 25 All-Star plate appearances.

Player	Avg.	PA
Charlie Gehringer	.500 (10-for-20)	29
Derek Jeter	.481 (13-for-27)	29
Ken Griffey, Jr.	.440 (11-for-25)	28
Billy Herman	.433 (13-for-30)	31
Steve Garvey	.393 (11-for-28)	30

• Jeter concluded his All-Star career tied for fifth all-time in hits, with those 13. The top four are Willie Mays (23), Stan Musial (20), Ted Williams (14) and Nellie Fox (14). At 13, Jeter is tied with Billy Herman, Hank Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Dave Winfield and Cal Ripken, Jr.

• Jeter became the 18th player with at least three multihit games in All-Star play (Mays leads with six). The others to have at least three as AL representatives: Gehringer, Fox, Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr. (each of these four with four), Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Carew, Brett and Ivan Rodriguez (all with three).

• Jeter became the 26th leadoff hitter to have an All-Star Game with at least two hits and a run scored, and he was one of 15 to also have an extra-base hit as part of the line. Among this group of 15, Jeter was the first since J.D. Drew in 2008 to do this, the first shortstop since Jose Reyes in '07, and the first AL shortstop since Dick McAuliffe in 1965.

• At 40 years and 19 days old, Jeter became the oldest player in All-Star history with a multihit game. He surpassed Yastrzemski, who was 39 years and 329 days old in 1979, when he had two singles. The previous oldest player with at least two hits and one going for extra bases had been Babe Ruth, who was 38 years and 150 days old in 1933, when he homered and singled.

Trout is game's big fish
Trout, at 22 years and 342 days old, tripled, doubled, drove in two runs, scored one and won the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet.

Some tidbits regarding his line:

• Trout is one of 20 players in All-Star Game history with at least two extra-base hits and two RBIs (the NL's Jonathan Lucroy also did this Tuesday -- more on him in a bit); Trout is the third youngest of the collection. Griffey Jr. was 22 years and 236 days old when he went 3-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBIs in a 13-6 victory in 1992. In the AL's 7-5 win in 1941, Williams -- 22 years and 312 days old at the time -- had doubled and had one RBI before his three-run walk-off homer in the ninth capped his day. The oldest player with at least two extra-base hits was Lou Gehrig, who was 34 years and 18 days old in 1937 when he doubled, homered and drove in four.

• Trout was the 10th AL player to post two extra-base hits and two RBIs, and the first to do it since Garret Anderson in 2003. The others: Earl Averill (1934), Gehrig ('37), Williams ('41 and '46), Al Rosen ('54), Griffey Jr. ('92), Kirby Puckett ('93) and Paul Konerko (2002).

Tigers roar for AL
In addition to Cabrera hitting the game's only home run, his Tigers teammate Max Scherzer came away with the win.

Scherzer was the fourth Tigers pitcher to record an All-Star victory, and the first since Jim Bunning in 1957 (Bunning started and hurled three perfect innings). Before Bunning, reliever Tommy Bridges picked up the victory in '39, and reliever Virgil Trucks got a win in '49.

Cabrera was the 13th Tigers player to homer in the All-Star Game, and the third to do it as the AL's cleanup hitter. His two predecessors in this latter lens: Al Kaline in 1960 and Rocky Colavito in '62. Before Cabrera, no Tigers player had homered in an All-Star Game since Lou Whitaker in '86. The only other Tigers first baseman to go yard in the Midsummer Classic was Rudy York in '42.

Here and there
• The all-time record now stands at 43 wins for the NL, 40 for the AL. There were ties in the second game played in 1961 and in 2002. Since Fred Lynn's grand slam in 1983 helped his league snap an 11-game losing streak to the Senior Circuit, the AL has won 22 of 32, and since 1997, has gone 14-3-1.

• As mentioned, Lucroy became one of 20 players in All-Star history to have at least two extra-base hits and two RBIs. The other NL players to accomplish the feat were Arky Vaughan (1941), Ernie Banks ('60), Willie McCovey ('69), Bobby Bonds ('73), Gary Carter ('81), Mike Schmidt ('81), Mike Piazza ('96), Andruw Jones (2003) and Albert Pujols ('04).

• Eleven AL pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts and one walk. The line marked the fifth time in All-Star Game history a league collected at least 13 K's, with the one walk marking the second-lowest total of free passes among the five. In 1967, five AL pitchers -- Dean Chance, Jim McGlothlin, Gary Peters, Al Downing and Catfish Hunter -- combined for 13 strikeouts and no walks in a 15-inning, 2-1 loss.

Roger Schlueter is senior researcher for MLB Productions. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Betances soaks in his first All-Star Game experience

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 7/14/2014 8:38 P.M. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Dellin Betances was seated in a ballroom for the All-Star Game media session on Monday afternoon, glancing to his left and watching a group of about four dozen reporters and cameramen jockeying for the opportunity to toss a question Derek Jeter's way.

"Oh man. Watching him in his last year, this is amazing," Betances said, with a laugh. "I'm honored to be here. It's a great experience getting to meet these guys and know them a little bit. For me, just being here with Jeet's last year, I'm honored to be here."

Betances and Jeter will be dressed in pinstripes for Tuesday's All-Star Game at Target Field (watch on FOX); Masahiro Tanaka was also selected to the American League squad but has decided not to attend in favor of spending the break rehabbing his right elbow injury.

For the 26-year-old Betances, wearing an All-Star jersey seemed like a long shot; stalled by control issues that bumped him back to Double-A and prompted his conversion into a reliever a couple of years ago, Betances' focus was simply on showing enough to earn a spot on the 25-man roster out of Spring Training.

"My goal was to make the team," Betances said. "That was my ultimate goal, just coming into Spring Training to try to make the team and just earn my way, earn a spot in the bullpen and pitch in key games."

Betances emerged as an electric performer, quickly earning the trust of Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Wielding a high-90s fastball and a nasty slider-curve, Betances has a 1.46 ERA in 40 appearances, recording 84 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings -- or 13.66 per nine innings, the best such mark in the Majors.

"Dellin used to be a starter, so this is a new role for him," Jeter said. "I'd imagine that takes a little bit of an adjustment period, but he's settled in and been as dominant as any reliever in baseball. He deserved to be here as much as anyone."

Betances said that Jeter told him "just to try to soak it all in, try to enjoy it as much as I can." Girardi, who repeatedly said that Betances' strikeout ability could help the AL win, said that he hopes the festivities don't go too quickly for Betances to savor.

"I hope he's able to enjoy it, and enjoy it with his family," Girardi said. "Because it means a lot, and it means a lot for players to the people that have helped you out along the way. You can go all the way back to your first coach. You think about those people and you're appreciative."

Betances said that he got to Minneapolis around 3:30 a.m. CT after flying from the Yankees' rain-shortened 3-1 loss in Baltimore, but he couldn't complain much about the commute.

He was greeted in the hotel lobby by his brothers, Anthony and Dioni, who had piled into a rented SUV and made the 18-hour trek from New Jersey on Saturday morning to attend the Twin Cities festivities.

"They're honored. They're thrilled," Betances said. "They're just like me, enjoying every single minute, every single moment. They're troopers, but they're all here and they're excited. They're just trying to take it all in."

The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw and the Padres' Tyson Ross were once teammates of Betances' in the Junior Olympics, he said, and Betances said that he is also looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Robinson Cano.

"I met him when he first signed at Yankee Stadium," Cano said. "It's unbelievable the way that he's pitching. They didn't know he had that; I think the problem was throwing strikes. But he's pitching great and God bless him, I hope he continues pitching the same way."

Betances said that he is looking forward to seeing what tributes are planned for Jeter, adding that it is "a little disappointing" that Tanaka is missing out on the fun after performing so well over his first 18 big league starts.

Tanaka was scheduled to have a platelet-rich plasma injection on his right elbow on Monday in New York, beginning a rehab program that the Yankees hope will have him back on a Major League mound in six weeks.

"I'm sure he wants to be here and soak it all in as well," Betances said. "I'm sure he'll get healthy and he'll be in plenty more All-Star Games, but it's definitely tough. This is a guy that helped us the whole first half and it's tough to see him get hurt. Hopefully he gets back to us."

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

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All-Star fan club: Jeter has many admirers in MLB

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Derek Jeter fest began in earnest on Monday as all involved prepared for the Yankees captain's final All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Target Field (watch on FOX).

Jeter has been named to 14 American League teams during his 20-year career, creating a bevy of memories.

"There's a lot of them," Jeter said. "Your first one, you're always going to remember -- first game I got a chance to start in Atlanta. The Yankee Stadium one in '08 was special. One of the ones that stands out the most was when we were in Boston in '99 and all the great players were on the field. I got a tap on my shoulder and it was Hank Aaron and he said he was looking for me because he wanted to meet me. I was like, 'You want to meet me?' That's something that stands out. It's one of the best moments I've had on a baseball field."

On Tuesday, the memories will also be created for the 68 players, two managers and all the support staff who are part of the 85th edition of the Midsummer Classic. Here's a sampling of comments from some of the participants, including two born-and-bred New Jersey kids, a former Yankees teammate and the left-hander who served up the home run that accounted two years ago for Jeter's 3,000th hit.

Rays pitcher David Price, who gave up that hit: "To me, that was the most special part about coming, to be a part of his All-Star Game. I wasn't an All-Star last year so I wasn't able to experience everything that went on with Mariano [Rivera], when he came into the game that was very special. I've been part of a couple of his cool moments so it will be neat to be on his team for this cool moment. Outside of my parents and family and teammates, there's probably nobody I respect more."

Mariners second baseman and former Yankees teammate Robinson Cano: "My favorite memory of him was when he got the 3,000th hit. Everyone was ready that day and for him to be able to do it with a home run was amazing. He was one of the biggest parts of my career on and off the field. I appreciate him. I was a young player, playing alongside him and he helped me a lot."

From some of the other pitchers:

Cardinals right-hander and National League starter Adam Wainwright: "You know what? I was telling my wife yesterday that this will be something I can always remember because I have never faced Derek before. This will be the first time I've ever faced him. Spring Training, regular season, I have been in the big leagues for nine years, I've never faced him. I'm very excited about it, just to say I faced the best. And he is undoubtedly one of the best to ever play his position, one of the greatest Yankees of all time. And I'm very fortunate and I feel very proud to be able to say I am going to face Derek Jeter."

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester: "It will be pretty cool. I don't want to age him too much but I watched him growing up. Obviously the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry and having to deal with him all the time. I'm just glad he's finally done so I don't have to face him anymore. It will be a cool experience to be a part of this. He deserves everything he gets and hopefully he won't be hounded too much so he can actually enjoy it, have fun, and really take away some memories from this."

Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw: "He has been the face of the game the last 18 or 20 years. A guy like Jeter embodies what baseball is. He's a winner. He's a great player. The game is going to miss him.''

Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto: "It's amazing actually seeing him right now. I think he can still play. He wants to go home and be with his family. He deserves to retire. I think he's one of the greats of all time."

Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer: "It's going to be awesome. Last year I got the experience of being here with Mariano for his last All-Star Game, and that was an unbelievable experience. The All-Star Game is already cool enough, but to have a legend go out just made it even better. When that happens on Tuesday with Jeter, what he's meant to this game is only going to make it that much more special for everybody involved -- fans, players, everybody. We'll always remember this."

And from the Jersey boys:

Reds third baseman Todd Frazier, who stood next to Jeter as a 12-year-old for the national anthem at the old Yankee Stadium after his Toms River team won the Little League World Series: "I'm just looking around like a kid in a candy store. I talked to him three years ago. We worked out together in Florida for a little bit. I said, 'Do you remember that?' He started laughing. He said, 'Holy cow, don't tell anybody.' That's just the way he is. He's a happy-go-lucky guy and I can't wait to see his final All-Star Game, playing against him."

Angels center fielder Mike Trout, who grew up in Millville: "Just to be part of the same lineup and same clubhouse as him is going to be special for me. It's going to be something to remember, to be a part of it and experience it firsthand. I was a Phillies fan growing up, but I liked the way Jeter played. The way he carries himself on the field, he's a true professional."

And from some of the other sluggers:

D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt: "I don't know if I'll even get to talk to him. He'll have a lot more people bugging him than me. But it will be cool to be a part of it, to play against him and see him have his last All-Star Game. He's had an unbelievable career. As far as being part of the next generation of young players, all you can do is go out and play up to the best of your abilities and see what happens. You can't live up to Derek Jeter or anything like that. It's a huge comparison."

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez on his favorite Jeter play: "Wow, he's got so many. He's got that play against the Oakland A's that was a great play, that one in New York where he dove into the stands. He's got so many. You know what? I'm going to cross the line a little bit, but I think Major League Baseball needs to do something with players like him. They don't come around often and he should go into the Hall of Fame as soon as the season's over. I have a great amount of respect for him. He's a guy I always looked up to. He plays the game the right way."

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera: "It's going to be great. I had the chance to do it last year with Mariano. It's going to be a great experience. I look forward to today and tomorrow to talk to him, try to steal something from him so I can be a better baseball player."

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton: "It will be very special. His last one is going to be awesome. Hopefully there is something dedicated to him and acknowledging him. I was able to play against him in Panama and see that whole atmosphere and just the respect. It's unmatched. It will be cool to be on the same field again and be a part of it."

Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig: "I would have liked to have played with him, play against him. I am humbled that this is his last All-Star Game and the first game for me. He is the face of baseball ever since I can remember. It was an honor to meet him last year."

And from the AL coaching staff:

Red Sox and AL manager John Farrell: "It's a rare and unique opportunity. And at the same time we are able to celebrate a player who is not only a champion, but a guy that sets the bar that I think all players should aspire to. The way he has handled himself with class, with performance. No doubt a Hall of Famer. This will be a day that I think many baseball fans that are either in the ballpark or watching [on TV] will remember Derek's last All-Star Game."

Indians manager and AL coach Terry Francona, who was manager of the Red Sox during some of the great games of the rivalry: "That's one of the things I'm looking forward to the most the next couple of days, to see how he is received. He embodies so much of what is good about the game. To be able to watch him in person, I'm really looking forward to that. It's kind of an honor to compete against him and his team because of the way he goes about things."

Twins manager and AL coach Ron Gardenhire: "He's one of these guys who is what baseball's all about. He's probably the most professional guy. He's in the community and has always handled himself really well. And also, he's a winner. He's brought championships to that baseball team over there and the whole package. He's just a guy who makes everyone around him feel good. That's what leaders do. We've had a guy like that in Kirby Puckett. They always make everybody feel good around you."

Barry M. Bloom is national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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After being DFA'd, Soriano released by Yanks

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 7/14/2014 11:58 P.M. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Yankees have released outfielder Alfonso Soriano, who was designated for assignment on July 6, completing the organization's brief reunion with the free-swinging slugger.

Soriano, 38, batted .221 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 67 games for New York this season. He is now free to sign with any organization, and the Yankees would be responsible for the remaining $5 million on his salary for the 2014 season, minus the pro-rated league minimum.

He was one of the hottest hitters in baseball after the Yankees acquired Soriano last July from the Cubs, slugging 17 home runs in 58 games, but struggled against right-handed pitching this year and had been losing playing time to Ichiro Suzuki.

A seven-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Soriano started his career with the Yankees from 1999-2003 before being traded to the Rangers in a deal that brought Alex Rodriguez to New York.

After being designated for assignment, Soriano told ESPNDeportes.com that the move "was to be expected" and that he believed the Yankees made a good decision in cutting him loose.

"I'm glad that now that I have been released I will have the opportunity to decide what I want to do next, and the team can go ahead and find someone to do the job I was unable to do," Soriano told the website.

In an additional roster move Monday, the Yankees optioned right-hander Bryan Mitchell to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Mitchell had been recalled to provide bullpen depth for Sunday's game against the Orioles in Baltimore.

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

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Yanks' O'Brien, Severino value Futures experience

By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com | 7/13/2014 7:35 P.M. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Yankees power-hitting prospect Peter O'Brien packed for the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game like he does for any game these days -- with multiple gloves in tow.

His first baseman's mitt and outfield glove both made the trip to Minneapolis, where O'Brien and fellow Yankees prospect Luis Severino participated in the annual showcase of prospects on Sunday. Severino pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the World Team, while O'Brien struck out in both of his plate appearances for the U.S.

"I'm very proud of this," Severino said of the experience.

"It's a great opportunity and a huge blessing," added O'Brien.

The U.S. squad used O'Brien as a first baseman, the position du jour for the 23-year old ranked by MLB.com as the 20th-best prospect in the Yankees organization. Many believe O'Brien, now in Double-A, will ride his power to New York in the near future. It's the position that he'll play once he gets there that remains the unknown.

O'Brien, who has 29 homers, 17 doubles and 63 RBIs through 88 Minor League games this season, made the transition to first baseman only recently. He was drafted as a catcher in the second round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft before beginning the move around the field last season.

He's spent time in right field and third base, the latter a position he enjoyed, but one where the learning curve was sharp. O'Brien committed 18 errors in 38 games at third last season. The bulk of O'Brien's playing time early this season came behind the plate, though his May promotion to Double-A Trenton left him behind top Yankees catching prospect Gary Sanchez.

About a month after that move to Trenton, the Yankees approached O'Brien about trying yet another new position. He had to borrow a teammate's glove for several days before getting his own ordered.

"I think for the time I've played it, I feel very, very comfortable there," O'Brien said about first base. "It feels very natural. I actually like everything that comes along with the position -- picking balls out of the dirt, having to hold guys on. I was kind of scared at first, because you think you're not going to get that much action. But I like it."

O'Brien still catches about once or twice a week, too, to keep that skill sharp. Though he may never become a plus defender at any position, the versatility O'Brien touts should make it easier for the Yankees to find a spot for him once they need his bat.

"At the end of the day, as long as I'm in the lineup, no matter where I am on the field, I'm going to be happy and play as hard as I can at that position," O'Brien said. "I think the biggest asset is I can catch. There are other guys who play first, right and third, but not many who also catch. I think me being able to catch also puts me up a notch."

O'Brien did not get to face fellow farmhand Severino on Sunday, as Severino was in and out before O'Brien took the field. Severino, a 20-year-old Dominican native, allowed one hit and struck out one in a 12-pitch fourth.

The right-hander flashed all three of the pitches that have the Yankees so excited about his future -- a fastball that sits 96-97 mph and can top out at 99, an improved changeup and a developing slider.

Since signing for $225,000 in 2012, Severino has made a quick climb through New York's system. He began the season with Class A Charleston before earning a June promotion to Class Advanced Tampa. Since the promotion, Severino has allowed three earned runs on 11 hits and six walks while striking out 28 in 20 2/3 innings, facing players mostly his senior.

"I have felt very strong," said Severino, listed as the Yankees' No. 9 prospect. "This year has been going well, and I'm looking forward to an even better second half of the season. My objective is to try and throw as many innings as possible, and to try improve my angle that I throw my changeup."

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees option Almonte for pitching depth

BALTIMORE -- Taking caution in the event they played a lengthy game in the finale before the All-Star break at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday, the Yankees optioned outfielder Zoilo Almonte to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalled right-handed pitcher Bryan Mitchell.

"I'd rather be protected on the pitching side, just because Dellin [Betances] has been worked hard, [Adam] Warren has been worked hard," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "If you don't need them or something, you'd hate to have to use them."

Mitchell, 23, has never pitched in the Majors. He's spent this season split between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Trenton. With Trenton, Mitchell went 2-5 with a 4.84 in 14 appearances -- 13 starts. In one start for the RailRiders, Mitchell pitched four scoreless innings, with three strikeouts and four walks.

Almonte went 4-for-25 with one home run with the Yankees this season. Almonte is batting .279 with 13 home runs in 262 at-bats in Triple-A.

The move left New York with just three bench players and gave the Yankees seven relief pitchers.

Bombers bits

• David Phelps will start the first game for the Yankees against the Reds coming out of the All-Star break on Friday, followed by Brandon McCarthy and Hiroki Kuroda.

• New York still hasn't officially committed to a fifth starter to replace Masahiro Tanaka, but "obviously, Chase [Whitley] is the most built up," Girardi said.

• The Yankees officially designated relief pitcher Matt Daley for assignment to clear space for pitcher Jeff Francis on the 40-man roster.

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Whitley, Yanks suffer rain-shortened loss to O's

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McCann remains in after fouling ball off toe

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 7/12/2014 8:45 P.M. ET

BALTIMORE -- Brian McCann underwent X-rays that came back negative after fouling a ball off his right foot during the Yankees' 3-0 victory over the Orioles on Saturday. The catcher believes that he should be able to play on Sunday night in the team's final game before the All-Star break.

Serving as New York's designated hitter, McCann fouled a ball off his instep in the seventh inning, an at-bat in which he singled to center field. McCann was 3-for-4 for the afternoon, but he limped down the first-base line on his last hit.

"It hit me right on the bone, right on the first toe," McCann said. "I put pressure on it, and it hurt pretty bad. I was hoping for the best."

Since July 2, when hitting coach Kevin Long revealed that McCann had eliminated a toe-tap from his stance, McCann is 14-for-35 (.400) with four runs scored, two doubles, a home run and three RBIs.

Tanaka opts for rest over trip to Minnesota

BALTIMORE -- Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka has decided not to attend Tuesday's All-Star Game at Target Field, the Yankees announced on Saturday.

Tanaka is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a small tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament, and he's scheduled to begin a rehab program that the Yankees hope can get him back on a Major League mound in six weeks.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Tanaka, who issued a statement on Friday apologizing to the Yankees and their fans for the injury, would prefer to skip the trip to Minneapolis and focus on his rehabilitation.

"I think it's really unfortunate, because he had a great first half and he's not able to be a part of it," Girardi said. "But for some reason, I think he's going to get a chance to be a part of another one."

Tanaka, 25, was selected as an American League All-Star after going 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 18 starts. Following the injury, Red Sox manager John Farrell replaced Tanaka on the AL squad with Boston reliever Koji Uehara.

Francis has respect for Yanks' rich history

BALTIMORE -- Jeff Francis has appeared in 238 Major League games with four clubs, but the left-hander has never had an opportunity to pitch in Yankee Stadium, something that the 10-year big league vet is looking forward to.

"It's probably been said a hundred times over, but that's a building with a lot of history, even though it's new," Francis said. "The team has a lot of history, so it's something that I'm looking forward to."

The present, and not the organization's history, was on the Yankees' mind when they acquired Francis along with cash considerations from the Athletics on Friday in exchange for a player to be named.

The Yankees could use help soaking up innings out of the bullpen, where Adam Warren described the squad as "not fresh, obviously, but I wouldn't say we're going out there pitching injured."

Francis had been working as a long reliever with the A's, for whom he was 0-1 with a 6.08 ERA in nine appearances. He started the year with the Reds, making one start.

"Right now, he's probably a two-inning guy and another left-hander," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Maybe he gets stretched out during some games for us. That's not really what you want, but maybe it happens. It's just another guy that can give you multiple innings."

To create room for Francis on the active roster, the Yankees designated right-hander Matt Daley for assignment. Daley was called up on Friday when the Yankees designated righty Jim Miller.

Bombers bits

• Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda is inching back toward game action. Pineda threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Friday at the club's complex in Tampa, Fla., and reported no issues. His best-case scenario is a big league return in mid-August.

• On this date in 1951, Allie Reynolds no-hit the Indians in a 1-0 Yankees victory against Bob Feller at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. It is the first of two no-hitters that year for Reynolds, who also no-hit the Red Sox on Sept. 28 in the first game of a doubleheader.

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

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