MLB

JETER: THIGH ‘NO BIG DEAL’

ST. PETERSBURG – A 91 mph Scott Kazmir fastball found Derek Jeter’s left thigh in the first inning and hurt enough to put Jeter out of last night’s loss to the Devil Rays.

Yet, in typical Jeter fashion, he shrugged off the injury that was described as a bruised thigh.

“It’s no big deal,” said Jeter, who was replaced by Miguel Cairo. “It should be OK [today]. It’s not bad, but it never feels good when you get hit.”

Fortunately for Jeter and the Yankees, he wore the pitch on flesh instead of bone.

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Mike Mussina’s biggest test comes Friday night in Harrisburg, Pa. If the veteran right-hander passes it, he will rejoin a Yankees rotation that desperately needs help.

“I think it will be fine,” said Mussina, who is on the DL with a left hamstring problem. “If it goes well, hopefully [he’ll pitch in Texas next week].”

Mussina, 38, may not be what he used to be. Yet, the way Darrell Rasner and Chase Wright (both jettisoned to the minors) and Kei Igawa (who could soon join them) pitched, Mussina will be welcomed with open arms.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” Mussina said. “It’s been a little tough to watch, but it would have been tough to watch if I was active.”

With Chien-Ming Wang returning from the DL last night and Phil Hughes set to start tomorrow night, the Yankees appear to be getting better on the hill. However, Mussina doesn’t know how Hughes will do in his major-league debut.

“I don’t know how he will handle it,” Mussina said of Hughes.

Hughes will wear No. 65.

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Outfielder Kevin Thompson was sent to SWB (Triple-A) to make room for Wang. In six games Thompson went 2-for-8 (.250).

Manager Joe Torre said there was no consideration of sending slumping outfielder Melky Cabrera out to get regular at-bats. With Hideki Matsui off the DL, the switch-hitting Cabrera returned to the fourth outfielder spot. Cabrera is batting .197 (14-for-71).

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Johnny Damon returned to center field and the leadoff spot last night after not starting Monday night. He went 1-for-4 and is batting .250.