5 YANKEES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Mark Teixeira: Eric Boland of Newsday (HERE) has the story of Tex.  Yes, he's rehabilitating in Tampa and yes, there is a chance we could see him this season still.  Boland writes: "Teixeira (left calf strain) continued his rehab in Tampa, taking BP and fielding grounders, but not running the bases, though not because of a setback. “It was a planned day of no jogging,’’ Joe Girardi said. “He’ll go back at it [Wednesday]"

David Aardsma: The Animal has been activated. According to the Washington Post (HERE), "Aardsma has not pitched since 2010 with Seattle. He had Tommy John surgery last year. Manager Joe Girardi says he will be cautious with how he uses Aardsma out of the bullpen with the Yankees in a tight division race."

Brett Gardner: Gardy was also activated. I know you gotta love this. According to ESPN (HERE), Joe Girardi said of Brett, "We feel that Gardy can help us on the basepaths... I don't know how realistic it is that he could do more." Look, I love speed and if Gardner is a pinch runner here and here when we need him, there is no doubt he will help the team. I'm really glad he's back.

(In Photo: Justin Thomas)
Justin Thomas: Thomas was one of the guys designated for assignment.  He's a lefty so I wasn't sure if I like this, but we have Boone Logan and Clay Rapada, so we'll deal.  While Thomas was with the Yankees, here was his line: 4 G, 9.00 ERA, 3 K, 1 BB. Read about Thomas and the rest of the moves HERE.

(In Photo: Steve Pearce, right)
Steve Pearce: Pearce was also designated for assignment along with Thomas.  Now, I find that interesting because much like BYB has said, if the Yankees were truly high on Pearce, they would have kept him around. Instead, they released Brandon Laird, a young kid with huge potential, they resign Pearce and then, when Brett Gardner and David Aardsma are ready to come up, they DFA him. Meanwhile, we'll never know what it would have been like for a guy like Laird. Anyway, read about what Jeana Bellezza said about that in HELLO PEARCE, GOODBYE LAIRD, it's a smart and interesting piece. For the record, Pearce's line looked like this in New York: 4-25, 1 HR, 4 RBI. Laird's line in Houston looks like this: 7-23, 1 HR, 4 RBI.

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