Hiroki Kuroda had a couple of tests of his left hip flexor muscle yesterday — and both turned out the way the Yankees’ valuable righty wanted.
Kuroda, who has been the Yankees’ best starting pitcher this season, missed his scheduled start last night against the Orioles due to the hip issue, but yesterday he saw a doctor and was cleared to throw on the side. He ended up doing that at Yankee Stadium before the game, and general manager Brian Cashman said it went well.
“We’ll see how he feels [today],” Cashman said.
Joe Girardi said if Kuroda recovers well, the Yankees will slot him into the rotation. Ivan Nova, who threw nine brilliant innings starting in Kuroda’s place in the 3-2 victory, also is due for a start next week.
“I’m going to prepare myself to get ready as early as possible,” Kuroda said.
The 38-year-old first felt the injury as he warmed up for his last start on Sunday at Baltimore, then experienced “strong tightness” after that 4-2 loss to the Orioles.
* With Francisco Cervelli shut down for two weeks with a stress reaction in his right elbow and probably not returning to the Yankees until at least Aug. 1, the most likely catching boost for the team is Triple-A backstop J.R. Murphy. According to Cashman, Murphy’s promotion to the big leagues is more likely than any catching addition from outside the organization.
“I’ve been open for anything that makes sense,” Cashman said, “but the catching market is completely barren.”
The 22-year-old Murphy entered last night hitting .297 with three homers, nine RBIs and a .908 OPS in 17 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He spent 49 games at Double-A Trenton, posting a .773 OPS before being promoted.
Murphy would seem to be a more formidable bat than current backup catcher Austin Romine, who entered last night hitting .136.
* Cashman said Curtis Granderson (broken hand) returning by the end of this month is “a possibility.” … Eduardo Nunez, who could return on this homestand, played seven innings at shortstop for Trenton last night, reaching base in all four trips with three singles and a walk as the Thunder beat Reading, 8-0.
* Righty Michael Pineda will make his final rehab start at Triple-A tonight. The Yankees have to decide by Tuesday whether to promote him or option him to the minors. Cashman said Pineda will not be used in relief.
* University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari, who is friendly with Cashman, was on the field before the game.
“He’s a Yankee fan,” Cashman said.