MLB

BABY BOSS: IGAWA’S NOT A-O-KEI

TAMPA – Hank Steinbrenner was done talking about the wonderful pitching performance turned in by Generation Trey against USF yesterday at Legends Field when he was asked about Kei Igawa’s miserable outing against the Big East school.

“Let’s not bring that up,” Steinbrenner said. “Hopefully we can straighten him out.”

While Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes dominated, Igawa’s initial spring appearance outing was a disaster.

In one inning, he allowed four runs, one hit, two walks and hit a batter.

The hit was a grand slam by Eric Bauman, who hadn’t played collegiate baseball since 2005 because of transferring and injury.

“My control was pretty good,” said Igawa, oblivious to the walks and hit batter.

“What I would like to do is to get more control when I am throwing harder. Today, I felt like I was throwing too low.”

With no room in the rotation unless an injury surfaces, and with limited experience in the bullpen, it appears Igawa, a $46 million bust a year ago, is headed for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre to start the season.

As for Generation Trey, Steinbrenner was pleased.

“They did very well, as everybody expected,” Steinbrenner said.

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When Derek Jeter got hit in the left forearm in the first inning, manager Joe Girardi winced.

“Sometimes that’s the scary part of playing these games, because you worry when you are playing a lot of young kids they get hyped and out of their mechanics a bit,” Girardi said.

Jeter stayed in the game and went 1-for-2 and drove in a run.

“It’s no big deal,” Jeter said.

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George Steinbrenner watched the game from outside his suite with son Hank and his daughter Jessica. …

Mariano Rivera threw 29 pitches in the bullpen yesterday and described it as “perfecto.” Rivera is likely to make his spring debut Wednesday against the Twins at Legends Field. …

Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Brian Bruney, Kyle Farnsworth and La Troy Hawkins also threw bullpen sessions. Pettitte is to make his first spring start tomorrow. …

Yankees travel to Clearwater to play the Phillies today.