Hiroki Kuroda (7-6, 2.95 ERA) looks for a little payback sweep against Jason Hammel (7-5, 5.19 ERA) and Orioles after the Yanks were swept in Baltimore last week. Kuroda comes back to the rotation after having a start pushed back due to a sore left hip flexor. He last faced the Orioles on June 30, taking the loss after going six innings allowing four runs on seven hits.
Hammel has gone six straight starts without a victory, and he has a 5.55 ERA since the beginning of June. He is 1-3 with a 6.30 ERA at home this season, and away from Camden Yards he is 6-2 with a 4.45 ERA.
The Yankees activated shortstop Eduardo Nunez from the disabled list in time for Saturday’s game. Nunez went 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in his first game back in the lineup in two months. The Yankees made two corresponding roster moves, placing Phelps on the DL and transferring Mark Teixeira to the 60 day DL. Joe Girardi says with these moves that Luis Cruz and Alberto Gonzalez will stay in the lineup, for now.
During practice before Saturday’s game, Vernon Wells was at first base taking drills. Confused? With Zoilio Almonte playing well in Vernon’s old spot and Arod and Jeter soon coming back, Girardi is trying to find ways to keep the righty in the lineup since right handed hitters are hard to come buy in the Bronx. Something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
Notes on the game.
Yankees placed right hander David Phelps on the 15 day DL on Saturday with a strained right forearm.
Chris Davis is 5-15 with two homers in his career against Kuroda.
Robinson Cano is 11-29 lifetime against Hammel, and Ichiro Suzuki is 8-17.
Game kicks off at 1:05 PM (EST) on Yes
