The following moves were made by the Yankees today:

1) Brian Bruney was placed on the 15 day DL with an elbow problem. Replaced by David Robertson.

2) Chien-Ming Wang is also placed on the 15 day DL with hip soreness. That is a new one. Replaced by Mark Melancon.

3) Cody Ransom was placed on the 60 day DL with a quad strain (tear). Replaced by Angel Berroa.

Melancon's spot on the 40 man roster was created when RHP Humberto Sanchez was outright released, something I had called for a few days ago.

According to the Yankees, Bruney's injury is concentrated in the forearm, is more muscle related and does not affect a tendon. That would be good news! He is expected to rest for a week or so, which the Yankees hope will alleviate the soreness.

I guess how well Melancon and Robertson perform will base the Yankees decision on how they treat Bruney's injury. The kids do well, Bruney can rest more. If the kids struggle, would the Yankees rush Bruney back? I wouldn't rush him back with that type of injury, but would let the kids work things out themselves. 

Both kids should be here to stay, but Melancon might be shipped back to allow Phil Hughes to make Tuesday's start against Detroit. I say they should DFA Jose Veras. Another Veras type of pitcher, but more consistent with control issues, Jose Valdez, was promoted to Scranton to replace Melancon. I saw Valdez late last year as a closer in Trenton and he was impressive.  

Ransom's injury is more severe, and Angel Berroa was recalled and started the game on Saturday. Why? I know he had a nice spring training, was doing well in AAA thus far, but is he really the answer?

With Alex Rodriguez expected back in about 10 days, is Berroa going to get an opportunity to really help the Yankees? Since Alex will be back soon, why not give the at bats to former 2003 first round pick Eric Duncan? He is a regular third baseman, arrived in spring training really early this year, worked his butt off to improve his game and has also been performing well in AAA Scranton.

Since both Berroa and Duncan would take Ransom's place on the 40 and 25 man roster's, it just seems more beneficial to the Yankees future to see what the kid has got. Although he is been in the Yankee system since, he is still only 24 years of age. If Duncan becomes wide-eyed and overpowered at the plate, you could always replace him with Berroa a few days from now. 

I am not saying that Duncan is Brooks Robinson, but Berroa is also a butcher in the field. Plus, Duncan is a LH hitter and the Yankees will mostly see RHP's for about a week. Both will eventually be shipped back when A-Rod returns, and Berroa's versatility is really not needed for such a short stint.

Back to Melancon - expect him to pitch today as he hasn't thrown for 3 days at AAA Scranton. No sense keeping him waiting around. Feed him to the wolves right away. Depending on how the home plate umpire treats him, Melancon could go up to three innings if needed.