MLB

CASH: BERNIE WATCH OVER

TAMPA – The Williams Watch appears over.

Since the longtime centerfielder hasn’t called Brian Cashman or Joe Torre and yesterday was the first full-squad workout at Legends Field and Williams wasn’t on hand, Cashman believes the Yankee icon has given his decision about accepting a minor-league invite.

“You would have to be stupid not to interpret the answer,” Cashman said. “He has given us the answer.”

Cashman is tired of talking about a player who isn’t in camp.

“If something changes he will let us know, but camp is up and running,” Cashman said. “I can’t do [an update] every day. I respect him, but now the focus is on the players here to help this team. If he wanted to be here, he would be here.”

According to agent Scott Boras, Williams is staying home in Armonk until the Yankees give him an indication he is needed.

“There wasn’t any information that led him to believe he would be a member of the team,” Boras told AP. “He is continuing to work out and will wait to see if their position changes. He certainly feels he can be a helpful contributor in (2007). He wants to remain loyal to the Yankees and doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to play for another team.”

Torre left Williams a message Sunday but hasn’t received a return call.

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Add Derek Jeter to the list of players who think the new training hat has to go. “The hats are terrible,” Jeter said of the mesh caps that have the interlocking NY outlined, with white piping on the sides over the ears.

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Johnny Damon said his right foot (fractured bone) has healed, but that he will have to stay on top of his left shoulder.