2012 Home Run Derby Participants

Robinson Cano has announced the participants of the Home Run Derby for the American League that will take place on July 9th. Cano announced it during the ESPN Nationals Broadcast game between the Mets and Dodgers.

Including Cano, here are is the American League Home Run Derby team:

• Jose Bautista, OF: 26 home runs
• Robinson Cano, 2B: 20 home runs
• Mark Trumbo, 3B: 20 home runs
• Prince Fielder, 1B: 12 homeruns

Matt Kemp, who is the National League captain, has also announced his Home Run Derby participants. 

Here is the National League Home Run Derby squad: 

• Carlos Beltran, OF: 20 homeruns
• Giancarlo Stanton, OF: 19 homeruns
• Carlos Gonzalez, OF: 17 homeruns
• Matt Kemp, OF: 9 homeruns

Joba Chamerblain Closing in on Return to Yanks'

Joba Chamberlain  will soon be back in pinstripes. Chamberlain has been rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery that he underwent last year and a dislocated ankle that he sustained while jumping on a trampoline.

Chamberlain threw a 40 pitch live batting practice on Monday and he said that he feels great. He also said that he cannot tell that he even underwent surgery.

Joba will pitch in a simulated game on Friday.

Robinson Cano Named AL Player of the Week

With his outstanding performance this week, Major League Baseball has named Robinson Cano the American League Player of the Week.

The Home Run Derby Captain and American League All-Star batted .414 with 4 home runs and 10 runs batted in his past seven games.

Cano has been selected to his second career All-Star Game on Sunday with his outstanding performance this season thus far.

Cory Wade Optioned for Chad Qualls

The Yankees trade for Chad Qualls yesterday and he will join the team on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In order to make room for Qualls on the Active Roster, Cory Wade has been sent down to Triple- A Scranton/Wilkes -arre.

Wade has been struggling lately. He has allowed 10 runs on 11 hits in 3 innings of work over the last 7 days. He has a 30.00 ERA during that span.

Qualls has allowed 16 earned runs on 39 hits in 31.1 innings of work this season. He has a 4.60 ERA. The Yankees hope that Chad Qualls can help them in their bullpen due to the struggles over Cory Wade.

Game 79: Yankees at Rays

July 2nd, 2012, 7:10 pm ET, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

TV: YES Network, ESPN Radio: WCBS 880

Weather: Indoor Facility

The Yankees and Rays will begin the three game set tonight down in Florida.

Click Here for the probable pitchers for this series.

Here are the lineups:

Yankees (48-30)
Derek Jeter, DH
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Andruw Jones, LF
Jayson Nix, SS
Chris Stewart, C

Pitching: Freddy Garcia RHP (2-2, 6.39 ERA this season)
(Freddy Garcia against the Rays: Click Here)

Rays (41-38)
Desmond Jennings, LF
Carlos Pena, 1B
B.J. Upton, CF
Hideki Matsui, RF
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Luke Scott, DH
Jose Lobaton, C
Will Rhymes, 3B
Elliot Johnson, SS

Pitching: Matt Moore LHP (4-5, 4.19 ERA this season)
(Matt Moore against the Yankees: Click Here)

Enjoy the game!