Something tells you Roger Clemens won’t be appearing in George Steinbrenner’s box today to announce his comeback, but otherwise the scene at the Stadium should seem familiar to Darrell Rasner.
It was the first Sunday of last May against the Mariners that Rasner had his best performance for the Yankees, a fact largely obscured by a Rocket sighting during the seventh-inning stretch.
Today, with Phil Hughes on the disabled list and the Yankees hurting for pitching, the stage is all Rasner’s. The 27-year-old right-hander will be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for another date with the Mariners.
“I love Darrell,” Andy Pettitte said before the Yankees beat the Mariners 6-1 yesterday. “Another guy from the system, he’s got a great work ethic and he knows how to pitch. He’s pretty polished.
“A lot of people think that his stuff is not top-prospect stuff, but that doesn’t mean anything. He’s got a wonderful idea how to pitch.”
Rasner was 1-3 with a 4.01 ERA in six starts for the Yankees last season, before his year all but ended with a freak injury at Shea Stadium on May 19. Endy Chavez hit a one-hopper that struck Rasner’s pitching hand, fracturing his right index finger. Rasner underwent surgery the next day and was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
Rasner had a sluggish spring training for the Yankees, but has been close to untouchable for Scranton, posting a 4-0 record with a 0.87 ERA. In 31 innings he’s struck out 27 and walked only six. He was the International League’s Pitcher of the Week for April 21-27.
Though the Yankees could have summoned Kei Igawa for today’s start, Rasner’s minor league dominance was too hard for GM Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi to ignore.
“[Rasner’s] numbers are tremendous,” Girardi said. “It’s not a mistake. It’s not like he was getting away with stuff.”
In his start against the Mariners last May, Rasner got the victory after pitching 52/3 shutout innings in which he allowed three hits. A week later he faced the Mariners at Safeco Field and got the loss after allowing three runs over five innings.
“I like the fact he’s not going to go out there and beat himself,” pitching coach Dave Eiland said. “He’s going to attack the strike zone, he’s going to trust his ability. He’s not going to be intimidated by any hitter or any situation.”
mpuma@nypost.com