Kevin Russo News

I hope everybody out there had a pleasant Thanksgiving. Despite the incessantly bad financial news that we've been battered with this year, there are plenty of things to be thankful for.

Yesterday the Yankees added seven players to their 40-man roster, protecting them from the Rule 5 draft.

The Yankees kept their word and made no offers on the first day of free agency. They weren't kidding.

Kevin Russo and Shelley Duncan have been selected to the Topps Triple-A All-Star Team, honored for their performances by the Topps Company of New York in conjunction with Minor League Baseball.

The Topps Triple-A All-Star Team was announced on Thursday, with two prospects each from the Yankees' and Indians' organization being honored for their performances by the Topps Company of New York, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball.

BEFORE the confetti was even falling in the Canyon of Heroes, the subject already had switched to 2010.

A hard fastball with the bases loaded came boring in on Kevin Russo's upper body, leaving him with little time to react and even less time to get out of the way.

THE 2009 season has been a tale of two halves for the Tampa Yankees . After struggling to a 30-37 mark in the first half, when the Florida State League resumed play for the second, the Yankees ' High-A affiliate played like a totally different ballclub.

Font size: [A] [A] [A] - July 28 Durham, 4-2, at PNC Field: Good pitching matchup between Josh Towers and Andy Sonnanstine, neither of whom is still in Triple-A. The game was decided when the Bulls scored two eighth-inning runs off rehabbing Yankees reliever Damaso Marte.

The Gwinnett Braves fell to the Scranton/WB Yankees 12-3 Saturday at PNC Field. The loss eliminates the G-Braves from the Governors' Cup Playoffs.

Font size: [A] [A] [A] Times-Shamrock File SWB Yankees' Kevin Russo dives for the ball during a regular season game at PNC Field.

Ivan Nova pitched seven strong innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run, to lead Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to a 4-1 win against Gwinnett in the International League playoffs.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees used a Class-A starting pitcher on Monday, gave their slugging first baseman a day off and removed their starting center fielder after three innings because he had reached a personal milestone.

With the red-hot Josh Towers called up to New York and the status of unbeaten Jason Hirsh unknown after being removed from a game two days ago after facing just two batters, Kei Igawa could be the ace of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitching staff for the upcoming playoffs.

Move over Shane Victorino, you have some company. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre slugger Shelley Duncan was named the 2009 International League Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, joining Victorino as the only players in the 21-year franchise history to receive the award.

Slade Heathcott and Caleb Cotham made their respective debuts this week. Heathcott has been playing center field and leading off for the GCL Yankees while Cotham made a start in the GCL and then moved up to Staten Island to make another start.

THE SKINNY: Success has been fleeting for the Pawtucket Red Sox. It certainly was the case in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

MOOSIC The game between the two best teams in the International League North got off to a delayed start Wednesday night.

MOOSIC Kevin Russo has been one of the best hitters in the International League for most of the season.

MOOSIC Shelley Duncan has been known to drive in runs in bunches. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Reegie Corona makes a throw to second during a game against Lehigh Valley at PNC Field on Tuesday.