Today’s news is powered by “Will it Blend?”

• MLB.com is reporting that Rivera will have his first bullpen session Thursday.  PeteAbe says Rivera will be throwing from the “Carl Pavano Memorial Half Mound”.

[My take: Pete can get a-hold of one every once in a while … ]

• PeteAbe also got some news from Hughes (Phil) on his newly-improved curve:

Hughes explained that he’s throwing his curve with the same arm speed as his fastball. So instead of a big loop (picture Mike Mussina’s curve), it goes to the plate on a straighter plane but still has some action as it gets there. It’s how A.J. Burnett throws his curve.

Hughes devoted a lot of time in the Arizona Fall League to working on that particular pitch. “It’s hard to change because you get used to throwing a pitch a certain way,” he said. “In games, you tend to go back to what is comfortable. But they’ve been staying on me to throw the power curve more. I have to trust it and I do.” …

Hughes also has changed the grip on his change-up. He throws it like a splitter.

• Bernie Williams went 1-2 as the DH for Puerto Rico in a WBC warm-up game.
• A-Rod apparently had hip issues last season:

“Alex expressed a little stiffness. There was really no pain,” Girardi said on Wednesday, a day after the 33-year-old slugger played for the Dominican Republic in a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic. “We just thought it was best because he had some minor issues last year with it. We’ll have a better idea after today with what the course of plan is.”

The team announced on Tuesday that Rodriguez would get his hip checked by Dr. Marc Philippon in Vail, Colo., on Wednesday afternoon. An exam Saturday revealed a cyst in the hip.

“Whenever you have something going on, you’re concerned,” Girardi said. “The fact he didn’t have a lot of pain is a little bit more comforting. He’s been able to play, and play at a high level. It hasn’t kept him from doing anything. It hasn’t kept him from driving the baseball. That’s the good thing.”

• Jack Curry details the friendship between David Ortiz and Rodriguez:

When Ortiz performs goofy exercises or playfully mimics a pitcher’s motion, Rodriguez and the Dominicans smile. When Ortiz lags behind Rodriguez in sprints, he howls to see if that will slow down Rodriguez. By being his usually animated self, Ortiz is trying to make everyone relax, especially Rodriguez.

“This is a guy who has done it all in the game of baseball,” Ortiz said. “He’s a human being. We’re not perfect. If somebody is perfect, raise your hand, just like the Bible say. He admitted what he did and he feels bad about it. Come on, turn the page.”

• Cody Ransom apparently has a 60 inch vertical leap.

[My take: Well, that’s helpful if he’s playing 2B or SS and is turning the DP, and its also helpful if he wants to hurdle the catcher on a play at the plate.  Other than that …. ]

• Doug Bird turns 59 today.  Bird had 1.5 solid years for the Yanks as a reliever in ’80 and ’81, before being dealt to the Cubs for Rick Reuschel.
• On this date in 1922, Babe Ruth becomes the highest-paid player in history when he signs a three-year contract that will pay him over $50,000 per season. In 1921, Ruth led the AL with 59 home runs and 171 RBI.
• On this date in 1973, pitchers Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson make a stunning declaration. They announce that they have traded wives, children, and family dogs.