TORONTO — Every rookie season is a learning experience. For David Phelps this year has been about expanding his value to the Yankees.
“I learned that I am capable of doing more than starting,’’ said Phelps, who comes out of the bullpen tonight to start in place of CC Sabathia against the heavy-hitting Rangers at Yankee Stadium. “I proved to myself that I can be more than just a starter.’’
Phelps has made three starts this year (two against the Rays; one against the Royals) and is 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA.
Phelps has faced the Rangers once this season and gave up three runs and five hits (two homers) in 2 1/3 innings of relief on April 25
“I am looking forward to it,’’ Phelps said. “It’s a huge series.’’
Since coming back from the minor leagues July 18, Phelps has been solid in relief. He hasn’t allowed a run in 11 ²/₃ innings across seven games. Phelps whiffed 14, gave up three hits and allowed two walks in that stretch.
It has been a hectic year for Phelps.
“Making my first [major league] roster and having a daughter the week before that,’’ Phelps said. “It’s been up and down in every role possible.’’
Derek Jeter knows the Yankees and Rangers are locked into a fight for the best record in the AL. Yet, Jeter says there is no more significance to the four-game series against the Rangers that opens tonight at Yankee Stadium than any other series the Yankees play.
“It’s too early for who has the best record,’’ said Jeter after going 3-for-5 with a homer in yesterday’s 10-7 loss. “We need to play well but it’s too early for that.’’
Eric Chavez said he will be able play tonight if manager Joe Girardi wants him to face Texas’ right-hander Ryan Dempster. And Girardi expects to do that.
Yet, Girardi admitted he didn’t have Chavez yesterday because of a back issue with the corner infielder who has a long history of back problems.
“He hasn’t felt good after [starting] four days in a row [in Detroit],’’ Girardi said. “The back is a little sore but he has gotten better each day. I expect him to play [tonight].”
Chavez, who is riding a 14-for-30 (.467) hot streak, didn’t take batting practice on the field during the three-game series against the Blue Jays.
“It’s a little sore but it’s fine,’’ Chavez said. “It’s better to stay off the [Rogers Centre] turf.’’
Alex Rodriguez will have an X-ray taken of his left hand today in New York. Rodriguez has been out with a fractured bone since July 24. At the time of the injury he was expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Derek Lowe will join the Yankees’ bullpen tonight. Lowe was let go by the Indians Friday after being designated for assignment Aug. 1 and signed with the Yankees Saturday.
He was 8-10 with a 5.52 ERA and allowed 156 hits and 45 walks in 119 innings.
Lowe will likely fill the role of long reliever that opened when Phelps moved to the rotation after Sabathia went on the DL Saturday.
Since the Lowe transaction isn’t official until today, Girardi refused to discuss the addition of Lowe and the Yankees.
He did say, “He has had a great career and pitched in big markets.’’
Lowe is 174-156 with 85 career saves and an ERA of 4.01. He has pitched for the Mariners, Red Sox, Dodgers, Braves and Indians.
Ryota Igarashi pitched two innings of relief yesterday and is the likely pitcher to go in order to make room for Lowe.
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Yankees entered yesterday with a chance at a 5-2 road trip after starting it with two losses in Detroit but went home 4-3.
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Ichiro Suzuki wasn’t in the lineup for the second straight game because Girardi wanted to stick with the right-handed hitting Andruw Jones against lefty J.A. Happ.
Suzuki, who was a pinch-hitter in the ninth, will likely return tonight against the Rangers righty Dempster.