Chien-Ming Wang passed one test yesterday, throwing without pain in his right calf, but the Yankee right-hander will pitch Sunday against the Mariners instead of tomorrow as originally scheduled.
Manager Joe Girardi said he wants to play it safe with Wang, giving him an extra day, and instead use Mike Mussina on Saturday. Mussina will be pitching on three days’ rest, something that shouldn’t be a factor because he lasted just two-thirds of an inning (41 pitches) Tuesday against the Orioles.
Girardi said he also wants to see how Wang responds today to fielding drills – mainly covering first base.
Wang first experienced the discomfort while covering first base in his loss to the Mets on Sunday. A subsequent MRI exam revealed a strain.
Wang said he felt good throwing yesterday.
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As expected, LaTroy Hawkins was hit with a three-game suspension by MLB for throwing close to Luke Scott‘s head in the Yankees’ 12-2 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday. Earlier in the game, Baltimore’s Daniel Cabrera had drilled Derek Jeter in the left wrist.
Hawkins had no comment yesterday, having announced his intention to appeal any suspension he received. Last month Kyle Farnsworth received a three-game suspension for throwing behind Manny Ramirez, but served only one game after appealing.
“Guys have been pitching inside for a long time,” Girardi said. “I think [MLB] is trying to set a precedent where nobody gets hurt badly, but the one thing you can’t control is balls are going to get away.”
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A night after Alex Rodriguez was deprived a home run on a blown call by the umpires, the Yankees installed netting in front of the yellow stairs by the right-field bleachers.
Rodriguez hit a shot off those stairs on Wednesday that was ruled in play because second-base umpire Tim Welke believed the ball hit the right-field fence.
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Bobby Meacham returned to the third-base coaching box last night after missing the previous two games to attend his son’s graduation. Tony Pena returned to coaching first base, where Mitch Seone had filled in.