DETROIT – With talk swirling through the Yankees universe that Mike Mussina could be pitching for his rotation spot Monday night against the Tigers, the right-hander said he isn’t feeling the pressure.
“Who would they replace me with?” Mussina asked prior to last night’s Yankees-Tigers game at Comerica Park.
Actually, GM Brian Cashman on Thursday brought up three names as possible replacements for the struggling veteran, mentioning minor leaguers Ian Kennedy, Steven White and, yes, even Kei Igawa.
Ever since Wednesday in Anaheim, Calif., when Joe Torre said he would have a talk with Mussina if he doesn’t pitch well Monday, the inference is that the Yankees, who are in a must-win situation every night, would make a move with the 16-year veteran. Given multiple chances yesterday to say Mussina’s spot in the rotation is safe, Torre danced around the subject.
Thursday, Cashman pointed to the promotions of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Edwar Ramirez and the jettisoning of Scott Proctor and Mike Myers as proof the Yankees will “do anything if we feel it gives us a better chance.”
Mussina has provided no chance for the Yankees to win in his past two outings, against the Tigers and Angels. He was 0-2 with a 17.57 ERA and allowed 16 hits in 62/3 innings. Most alarming, Mussina walked the first two batters to start Tuesday night’s game against the Angels.
Based on talks with Torre, Mussina said he believes the manager is more concerned with the pitcher’s mental state than removing him from the rotation. But Torre never said Mussina’s spot is safe. Instead, he said the club could “skip him a start” and admitted he hadn’t thought about it.
“I am looking forward to him pitching a good game [Monday],” Torre said.
Because the Yankees started last night’s action 5½ games behind the Red Sox in the AL East and two back of the Mariners in the wild-card race, their margin for error is slim. If it were May or June and Mussina was slumping, it wouldn’t be an issue. Now, not even his being in the first season of a two-year contract worth $23 million can ward off talk that the 38-year-old might be deleted from the rotation.
Mussina said he is well aware he needs to improve quickly.
“We are in the last six weeks and the games are important,” said Mussina (8-9), who has a 5.52 ERA in 22 starts.
Mussina wondered aloud why he was being asked how a bullpen session went yesterday. However, it’s an issue with more than the media.
“How did it go?” Alex Rodriguez asked Mussina following the session.
The fact Mussina felt good yesterday doesn’t mean he will be OK Monday night. His previous two pregame bullpen sessions were good, but the game results were horrible.
“It was mechanical and psychological,” said Mussina, who insists his head is in a good spot despite the struggles.