MLB

BOMBERS BRACE FOR THE FINAL HOMESTAND

ANAHEIM – When the Yankees left spring training, the furthest thing from their minds was the final 10 games at the current Yankee Stadium would be nothing more than dates on a calendar of a meaningless season.

Yet when the Yankees open the final homestand tomorrow night against the Rays, the clock on the historic ballpark begins to tick loudly.

“I haven’t thought about it much,” manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s kind of unique with all the history there and it being the last time you play there. It’s kind of different.”

Yankees players have been given the opportunity to purchase things from the ballpark.

Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez would like their lockers; Andy Pettitte wants to use some of the outfield padding in his gym at home. Joba Chamberlain requested two seats, one with No. 6 and another with No. 2 on them. Mariano Rivera wants a seat, a pitching rubber and dirt from the mound. Mike Mussina wants the center field flagpole.

*

Chamberlain went two innings for the first time since coming off the DL on Sept. 2.

“It was like a mini spring training as far as mechanics, I used my fastball a lot,” said Chamberlain, who didn’t allow a run, gave up a hit and fanned three. “(Two innings) is what I needed.”

*

Ivan Rodriguez didn’t appeal the suspension he received yesterday for his involvement in an altercation with Angels outfielder Torii Hunter Monday night at home plate.

Hunter was given two days and a fine and Angels right-hander John Lackey was fined.

*

Even though previous reports on Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish weren’t glowing, the Yankees are taking a second look at the 21-year-old.

Billy Eppler, the Yankees’ head of professional scouting, and scout Gene Michael are in Japan, to see Darvish, who pitches for the Nippon Ham Fighters. The club isn’t expected to post Darvish, but if it does the Yankees want to be in a position to judge if they make a bid for him.

The Yankees aren’t interested in Junichi Tazawa, the top amateur pitcher in Japan. MLB and Japanese clubs have a loose agreement not to go after each other’s amateurs, but a few MLB teams are prepared to ignore the agreement for the 22-year-old right-hander.