The Yankees’ rookies weren’t off to see The Wizard yesterday, even if it appeared that way as they donned costumes to depart for their final regular-season road trip.
As has become the custom in recent years, yesterday’s home finale served as Rookie Hazing Day, this time with a Wizard of Oz theme.
The Yankees lost 4-1 to the Blue Jays, but later had some fun at the rookies’ expense.
The Cowardly Lion (Joba Chamberlain) was last seen asking Glinda the Good Witch (Chase Wright) for her phone number.
Ian Kennedy got the lead role as Dorothy – ruby red shoes and all – with Shelley Duncan as The Scarecrow and Phil Hughes as The Tin Man.
Not to be overshadowed were Kei Igawa (Flying Monkey), Edwar Ramirez (Wicked Witch), Matt DeSalvo (Lollipop Kid), Tyler Clippard (Monkey), Bronson Sardinha (Guard); Ross Ohlendorf (Guard) and Alberto Gonzalez (Munchkin).
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Igawa and DeSalvo are among those on standby in the event Roger Clemens isn’t physically ready to pitch at Tampa Bay tonight. Manager Joe Torre still is listing Clemens as the starting pitcher, but admitted yesterday the Rocket isn’t necessarily a go.
Clemens, who last pitched nine days ago at Boston, continues to nurse a sore right hamstring. Torre just wants to get Clemens some work before the postseason.
“I don’t think it needs to be [tonight] as long as he finds the ball and gets some work this week,” Torre said. “I don’t think he needs to pitch six or seven innings.
“As long as we are where we are, if there’s any question, he won’t pitch [tonight] as far as I’m concerned.”
Igawa would be the front-runner to start in Clemens’ place. The Japanese lefty has been a bust for the Yankees – he’s 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA – having last started for the team on July 26 when he lost to the Royals.
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One pitcher who probably doesn’t figure into the Yankees’ plans for the remainder of the week and perhaps into the playoffs is Kennedy, who missed his last start with soreness in his upper back.
Torre indicated the right-hander has been playing catch, but hasn’t resumed throwing from the mound.
“I’m just not sure he’d be able to throw enough to be in a situation where he would pitch,” Torre said.
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Though Torre still expects to get Chamberlain into successive games at some point this week, yesterday wasn’t going to be an option given that the right-hander pitched 11/3 innings on Sunday. The rookie’s success will stir an interesting debate in the offseason: Should be return to a starting a role or remain in the bullpen?
“He certainly has given this organization something to chew on, because of what he’s done so far,” Torre said.
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Pitching matchups for the Devil Rays series: Tonight, Clemens (6-6, 4.18 ERA) vs. Jason Hammel (2-5, 5.88). Tomorrow, Chien-Ming Wang (18-7, 3.72) vs. J.P. Howell (1-5, 6.80). Thursday, Phil Hughes (4-3, 4.80) vs. Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.54).
mpuma@nypost.com