The Yankees made six cuts after today's win over the Orioles. Andrew Brackman, Brandon Laird, Melky Mesa and Kevin Russo were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while pitchers Ryan Pope and Steve Garrison were sent to Double-A.

Garrison, Mesa and Pope are interesting because you'd figure that, with their relative levels of experience, they'd be sent to different spots.

Mesa, who hasn't played a game above High-A, figures to be the Thunder's opening day center fielder. With 371 1/3 innings of Double-A ball between them, Pope and Garrison both seem ticketed for Scranton.

The options made today are only placeholders, to be sure, but they are a bit intriguing on March 16.