Here's the medical report coming to you before the potential clincher...
* Mariano Rivera has been officially cleared to pitch in a game this weekend against the Devil Rays, and he will not need to throw another bullpen session before then.
* Johnny Damon had a bandage covering bruises on his left hand he suffered when he fell after making an on-the-run catch to end the fifth with the bases loaded Tuesday.
* Derek Jeter, as expected, reported “no problems” with his right hand, a day after he was hit by a pitch in the first and later left the park with it wrapped.
Neither Jeter nor Damon was in the lineup tonight, but Torre said that was decided before they suffered minor injuries. He said each of the regulars will get either last night or Friday night, a way to give them two days off combined with today’s off-day.
* Cory Lidle, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 13 because of inflammation in his right index finger, threw only fastballs in the bullpen before the game but reported improvement. Torre said there’s still time to get Lidle two more starts, making it seem likely Lidle will start Tuesday night and the season finale on Sunday.
* Carl Pavano apparently will not have to face his teammates this weekend after all. The pain in his ribs is still there and the Yankees have shut him down, GM Brian Cashman said. That means Pavano won’t have to show up in St. Pete.
And finally...
The Yankees’ ties to Columbus officially came to an end today when the Clippers board of directors met to approve a two-year deal to become the Triple-A affiliate of the Nationals. The Yankees are expected to sign with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Comments (4)
Not related at all, but I can't believe that SI (and all the tagalong newspapers and websites) has dragged up the A-Rod situation again. When will writers stop thinking this is a story!? I know that writers just salivate at the chance to print A-Rod's comments about Mussina or Giambi, but it's like "In other related 'news', the sun came up today..."
On the flip side, what the heck are Giambi and Torre doing going on the record with in-house stuff (or the other unnamed Yankees). You think this helps your playoff push? Shut up and play.
YANKS just clinched which is a good thing.. however at the post game Giambi said he'll do anything for the team which meant him taking ANOTHER cortisone shot which doesn't sound good. He should just wait it out and not take it. I'm with you jim we have to hold our breaths with sheff playing first we don't even know if he can handle it. its one thing taking a soft grounder its another if a wild pitch from jeter is coming after you and how your able to react and tag the base runner going to first. I'm still optimistic and hope all goes well with them this year. One more side note, i rather have cabrera at left, matsui at DH, sheff at first (crossing my fingers on that one) and giambi coming off the bench. for the pitchers i'll have wang start, randy 2nd and moose 3rd. Have rasner as my fourth regardless of lidles experience and have wright off the pen. Take bruney, protor, myers, farnsworth, rivera and possibly villone but who knows about him at this point in time.
gotta give SI's tom verducci credit for a great look inside the clubhouse. he probably sold a-rod on the idea this would be a great chance to tell his side of the story. and maybe it was. maybe we need to accept a-rod for who he is (whatever that may be).
We have about a week for the injuried parties to get better. This should help all but Giambi's injury. The wrist needs more then what the yankees can afford and that is time off. Oh, well there is always something to concern ourselves about. As far as the SI story, its printing may help make it old news. The players don't have to dance around it. The Story is out. Twenty-five guys trying to get along for 8 months. This is not going to happen. In my mind I do not believe their is a hate for A-rod but a dislike for his approach to dealing with his adversity a hitting and fielding slump. The NY media is relentless in its pursuit of a better story for obvious reasons, sell papers anyone! Words that are written or heard can be misconstrued from the intent of the conversation or article. There are 25 personalities from different backgrounds. They are professionals and the only thing that the Yankee core players understand is win for the team. Alex in his desire to defend himslf at times throws stats ito the mix. This is bad when the the winners do not care about the stats or awards. I trully believe there is no bad feelings to A-rod. Its just that he has to win and assist on a stage that excepts nothing other than winning the World Series. As Jeter said, "unless you win the World Series, the season is a loss" or words to that affect.