Duncan and Cabrera Hit with Bans

Shelly Duncan and starting center fielder Melky Cabrera were suspended for three games to start the season by MLB from the hard slide that Duncan put on Tampa's second baseman Akinori Iwamura this past Wednesday which lead to the bench clearing incident.

A week after the first incident, Yankee rookie catcher Francisco Cervelli was bowled over at home plate by Tampa's Elliot Johnson. The retaliation by Duncan turned into a loss for New York. What this means is that in two weeks when the Yankees open at home against the Blue Jays they will be down two players and be a weaker team on defense. Johnny Damon, who was slated as the left fielder will have to move to center and Hideki Matsui will have to start in left.

One thing this whole mess means is that the last few role jobs in camp will be important. Infielder Cody Ransom, who has opened some eyes in camp could make the team. The same for Jason Lane; the outfielder first baseman formerly of the Astros could wind up in the opening day line up. Morgan Ensberg, in camp as a backup first basemen could wind up as the starting first baseman, the role Duncan could of had.

It willl be a true fight of competition in camp for the next week and a half, a move that could of been avoided if Duncan did not take the unwritten baseball laws into his own hands. Just a bad move.