MLB

Torre joins Yankees 9/11 tribute in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Torre joined the Yankees in a pre-game 9/11 ceremony yesterday when he stood next to Joe Girardi as the Yankees and Angels were on the baselines during tributes to America and the families of 9/11 victims.

While an American flag blanketed the outfield of Angel Stadium, a video played on the screen above the right-field stands. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada — with Mike Scioscia, Jered Weaver and Torii Hunter — received ceremonial first pitches.

Joe Torillo, a retired FDNY lieutenant and World Trade Center survivor, was joined by Robert Schiavone, a former member of FDNY Ladder Co. 39 and a member of the rescue mission, and Christopher Supron, a first responder from North Carolina who responded to the attack on the Pentagon.

BOX SCORE

Also throwing out first pitches were Navy Seals Mike Murphy, Eric Franssens and Chet Henderson.

“The Angels did a great job and included us in the first pitch,” Jeter said. “We take a lot of pride. It was something that affected the country and even now it means a lot to us. They were Yankee fans and they were pulling for us. That’s always good to hear because those guys are the true heroes.”

Said Posada, “I wish we were at home so the people in New York could see. But we are here and I am really happy to be part of this.”

*

Girardi said he is staying with a six-man rotation. That means Phil Hughes starts tonight in Seattle, A.J. Burnett goes tomorrow night and Ivan Nova Wednesday night.

“It’s still something that could change,” Girardi said. “But we have a doubleheader coming up [Sept. 21 against Tampa Bay] and do you want a guy to sit around for two weeks?”

*

Accompanied by team security head Eddie Fastook, Francisco Cervelli returned yesterday to New York, where he will undergo tests today to determine if he has suffered a third concussion.

Cervelli said Saturday night he believes the dizziness he was experiencing was caused by a concussion he likely suffered when Baltimore’s Nick Markakis collided with him at the plate Thursday.

Since the head is involved, Cervelli will have to pass tests instituted by MLB before being cleared to play. It’s likely that Cervelli will miss the upcoming Seattle and Toronto games.

*

Rivera worked his 1,036th game and moved past Trevor Hoffman into ninth place on the all-time list.

*

Russell Martin tried unsuccessfully to talk his way into the lineup yesterday.

“I can feel my thumb,” said Martin, who was forced out of Saturday night’s action after taking a foul tip. “I wanted to play today.”

Girardi, who gave Jesus Montero his first big-league start behind the plate yesterday, is looking for Martin tomorrow night.

“Russell is day to day, I hope to have him Tuesday,” Girardi said.

Since Cervelli isn’t with the team, the Yankees promoted catcher Austin Romine from SWB, where he played four games after spending most of the season at Trenton (Double-A) where he hit .286.

Romine, who was in Kentucky, arrived at Angel Stadium an hour before the first pitch and caught the final three innings.

For Romine, who grew up 10 minutes away in Lake Forest, Calif., it was an emotional day. Not only did he have about 30 family and friends in the ballpark, his brother Andrew is a reserve Angel infielder.

“He pulled me over and said, ‘Good job,’ ” Austin said.

Romine’s big-league debut included catching Rivera in the ninth.

“I took a deep breath and treated it like spring training,” said Romine, who caught Rivera in exhibition games.

Montero’s first big-league catching gig had mixed results. He threw out a runner, battled Freddy Garcia‘s splitter in the dirt and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.

“It was an awesome day; we won,” said Montero, who will likely catch Hughes tonight in Seattle. “It was nice to have Freddy; he is from my country [Venezuela]. It was really nice.”

*

Nick Swisher said his left elbow was improving and is hoping to return to the lineup tonight. However, he hasn’t thrown a ball or swung a bat since Thursday in Baltimore. He will have to do that before knowing if he can play in a game.

“He is going to try and take BP [today],” Girardi said

Swisher has missed the last three games with tendinitis in the joint.

*

Posada had a wrap on the left knee and was walking gingerly through the clubhouse yesterday morning after catching for the first time this season Saturday night.

“It’s a good sore but everything is good,” said Posada, who returned to the role of emergency catcher yesterday when Robinson Cano was the DH against right-hander Ervin Santana.