- Will the Yankees panic? The team is underperforming, but it’s expected considering its been ravaged injuries. Still, it the Yankees are going to make the postseason for the 14th straight year, they can’t afford an August slump. Right-hander Joba Chamberlain, viewed by Yankees’ worshipers as the savior of the universe, is expected to miss at least two weeks with shoulder discomfort — officially termed “rotator cuff tendonitis.” Newly-acquired/freshly-stolen catcher Ivan Rodriguez was pulled from Wednesday’s game with a bruised knee after he collided with the Rangers’ David Murphy at home plate. The Yankees have a three-game series with the Angels this weekend before visiting the surging Twins for three games to open the week. The Yankees’ fate will be decided by the end of next week.
- Freddy Garcia’s destination. From 1999 to 2006, Garcia was one of baseball’s most consistent pitchers. This season, he’s been shelved after undergoing shoulder surgery last year. As of Friday, the former Mariners, White Sox and Phillies right-hander remained unsigned. Garcia recently auditioned for about half of the major league baseball’s 30 teams in Florida in hopes of playing this year. Garcia, 33, is 117-76 in nine seasons and could be a welcomed addition to the back end of a contending team’s rotation.
- Taking a waiver. Tampa Bay added a veteran reliever in hopes of making a serious run in the American League East. Seriously? This season has been an interesting combination of intriguing stories, and August should provide some interesting twists. The Rays scooped up Orioles right-hander Chad Bradford for a player to be named later, looking to improve a young bullpen with a veteran presence. Boston was rumored to have been trying to land Padres outfielder Brian Giles, who could possibly form a left-handed platoon with recently acquired Jason Bay.
