MLB

JETER: TORRE SAID I KNEEDED DAY OFF

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Derek Jeter‘s plea to play yesterday never gained steam with Joe Torre.

“It looked like he thought about it, but it didn’t work,” said Jeter, who was held out of a 6-3 win over the Royals due to a stiff right knee that according to trainer Gene Monahan has a trace amount of fluid in it.

Not liking the way Jeter was moving in the field and flexing the knee, Torre pulled the shortstop in the fifth inning of Saturday night’s 11-5 victory and started Wilson Betemit at short. Betemit went 1-for-4 with an RBI double.

“That’s what he saw, I didn’t ask to come out of the game,” Jeter said. “That was his decision. I could have stayed in the game and I could have played (yesterday).”

Jeter received treatment yesterday and will do the same today in Toronto. Jeter said he hopes to play tomorrow night against the Blue Jays on the artificial surface at Rogers Centre.

“I don’t know what their thoughts are,” Jeter said of Torre, who expects to have Jeter tomorrow night.

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It shouldn’t be a shock that Roger Clemens‘ program since leaving the Yankees for Houston and a cortisone shot in a balky right elbow has been smothered with intrigue. An hour before yesterday’s game Torre said he didn’t know if Clemens completed a scheduled bullpen session Saturday in Houston. His best pal, Andy Pettitte, also didn’t know.

“I e-mailed him and I haven’t heard back,” Torre said. “I hope it’s a good sign (not hearing), but we can’t be sure.”

Pettitte said he talked to Clemens while Clemens was on his way to a workout Saturday but not since.

Following the win, Torre checked his e-mail and there was nothing from Clemens.

Clemens, who had the cortisone shot Wednesday, is penciled to start Sunday against the Red Sox in Fenway Park. His last outing was Monday against the Mariners when he lasted four innings, gave up five runs and eight hits.

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Mariano Rivera posted his 25th save. He has 25 or more saves in 11 seasons in a row.

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Pitchers Kei Igawa, Sean Henn and Ross Ohlendorf and outfielder Bronson Sardihna joined the Yankees yesterday. Pitchers Jeff Karstens and Matt DeSalvo will join the team in Toronto tomorrow.

The Yankees placed Andy Phillips on the 60-day DL.

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Phil Hughes (2-3; 5.33 ERA) opens a three-game series against the Blue Jays tomorrow night. RHP Shaun Marcum (12-5; 3.74) goes for the hosts. Mike Mussina (8-10; 5.51) draws RHP Dustin McGowan (10-8; 3.90) Wednesday night. Ian Kennedy (1-0; 2.25) faces RHP A.J. Burnett (8-7; 3.56) Thursday night.