By GEORGE KING
Roger Clemens isn’t coming yet. Phil Hughes is further away from the Rocket’s arrival in The Bronx. Yet, the Yankees’ rotation is hurting and houses one (Andy Pettitte) dependable starter.
By GEORGE KING
Eleven games into a season is hardly time to panic. Even around the Yankees that’s excessive. However, it’s not too early to take a close look at what is fast becoming a very worrisome problem: the starting rotation.
It was the Yankees’ biggest question when spring training opened and when the regular season started ace Chien-Ming Wang remained in Tampa on the DL with a left hamstring injury.
Now, the number of starters on the shelf is three because Mike Mussina and Carl “American Idle’’ Pavano were placed on the DL yesterday with hamstring and arm troubles, respectively.
Already, Darrell Rasner has made two starts. Tuesday night, 24-year-old Chase Wright gets the call against the Indians instead of Pavano, who is on the shelf for the third time in three years with the club. Wright drew much praise from scouts in spring training but he has two games above Single-A and they were both this season. Add those names to Kei Igawa having one good outing and one terrible game and the jury isn’t close to coming back with a decision on the $46 million investment.
So what’s GM Brian Cashman to do? Call Philadelphia and see what Pat Gillick wants for Jon Lieber, who is languishing in the Phillies’ bullpen. Not liking Lieber’s numbers against lefties the first time in pinstripes, the Yankees allowed Lieber to leave following the 2004 season when they didn’t pick up an $8 million option.
Yes, Lieber is 37 and has been prone to muscle pulls. However, he knows how to pitch. Understands what’s expected in New York and might be the avenue to get Kyle Farnsworth out of the Yankees’ pen.
Lieber is owed $7.5 million this year; Farnsworth has this year and next left at $10.75 million. If the clubs can split the difference it might help each.