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News Update – 2/22/10

This update is brought to you by Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards:

Posada caught Vazquez for the first time in more than five years during a bullpen session Sunday.

“I asked him if he remembered the way I pitched,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez, originally scheduled to throw Wednesday, wanted to get in a 30-pitch session because it had been too long (about 10 days) since he last threw, in Puerto Rico.

Like other starters pitching their first session, Vazquez threw only fastballs and changeups. Soon, he will add in a slider that he did not throw during his first tour with the Yankees. Posada said what impressed him most is how Vazquez has adjusted over the years. He specifically mentioned his two best off-speed pitches, his changeup and curve, and how he has a much better feel for increasing and decreasing the velocity of those pitches.

What’s it like not dealing with the Joba Rules anymore?

It’s awesome, first of all. But I also look at it, being that this is my fourth year, understanding that they did it for a reason. And I’m truly humbled and grateful for that experience. But I’m also ready to undo the training wheels and get going.

Do you ever feel like, with the Rules, there was a perception that they were taking it too easy on you?

Not necessarily. History repeats itself. There have been guys who have been in the situation where they went from not a lot of innings to a lot of innings. And things have broke down. Like I said, I truly am humbled by the fact that they did that to me. As a competitor, sometimes it gets frustrating. But I also understand the long run.

Back on Thursday!

Categories:  Diane Firstman  News of the Day

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5 comments

1 RagingTartabull   ~  Feb 22, 2010 9:32 am

as a former intern for Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-8 REPRESENT!!), I can assure Phil Hughes that 20 months is a fairly speedy window in which to receive your flag. We would get like 50 of those requests a day, and I got news for ya...they don't fly that many flags over the Capitol.

2 RagingTartabull   ~  Feb 22, 2010 9:48 am

Spring Training TV schedule is out (h/t RAB):

Here’s the list of televised games. All times are Eastern and all games are on YES unless otherwise noted…

Wednesday, March 3rd: 1:05pm vs. Pirates (Spring Opener)
Friday, March 5th: 1:05pm vs. Rays
Saturday, March 6th: 1:05pm vs. Blue Jays (My9)
Monday, March 8th: 1:05pm vs. Phillies (split squad)
Tuesday, March 9th: 1:05pm vs. Pirates
Thursday, March 11th: 7:05pm vs. Braves
Saturday, March 13th: 1:05pm vs. Orioles (split squad) (My9)
Thursday, March 18th: 7:05pm vs. Rays
Friday, March 19th: 1:05pm vs. Tigers (split squad)
Sunday, March 21st: 1:05pm vs. Tigers
Monday, March 22nd: 1:05pm @ Phillies (YES/ESPN)
Sunday, March 28th: 1:05pm vs. Tigers
Tuesday, March 30th: 7:05pm vs. Blue Jays (split squad)
Wednesday, March 31st: 1:05pm vs. Twins (YES/ESPN)
Friday, April 2nd: 1:05pm vs. Orioles (YES/ESPN)

3 sonyahennystutu   ~  Feb 22, 2010 10:40 am

I like the word from Posada in that article, namely his impressions of how V (I call him V) has grown as a pitcher. You'd like to expect it, but it's nice to have someone on the receiving end of his pitches confirm that.

4 Hugh Mulcahy   ~  Feb 22, 2010 10:55 am

RE: CHoP

Nice value village pickup for the Yanks. He was one of the best free agents left out there. Too bad for Park (financially), he overplayed his hand and was left standing when the music stopped. This deal (reported at 1 year/ $1.2MM) is half what he was offered by Philly to stay.

5 a.O   ~  Feb 22, 2010 11:17 am

[1] Are you saying Phil may have been the beneficiary of a back-room deal?

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