Yankees brass and coaches met yesterday and discussed the possibility of adding left-handed hitter Eric Hinske to the World Series roster. They also talked about adding a 12th pitcher, which could be right-handed reliever Brian Bruney.
“You could see us with 12 pitchers and you could see us change our roster,” general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday. “We will talk about that again [today].”
The Yankees and Phillies have until tomorrow at 10 a.m. to notify MLB of their rosters.
Adding Hinske, who was dropped in favor of pinch-running specialist Freddy Guzman in the ALCS, would provide manager Joe Girardi a couple of options.
First, he could play right field for the ice-cold Nick Swisher against a right-handed starter. Second, he could pinch-hit for a pitcher during Games 3, 4 and 5 in Philadelphia. Third, if Hideki Matsui continues to struggle, Girardi could insert Hinske in the designated hitter spot.
As for Bruney, it appears his only way onto the roster (he was left off for the first two rounds) is for the Yankees to go with 12 pitchers, because they aren’t likely to drop anyone from their current 11-man staff.
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Phillies manager Charlie Manuel still won’t say who his Game 2 starter will be, but he is not afraid to hand Pedro Martinez the ball at Yankee Stadium.
“I look at Pedro,” Manuel said. “He’s been in the big environment, pitched about everywhere you can pitch, and I don’t think nothing’s going to really bother him or get him upset. We can pitch him in either ballpark, really. I don’t think it matters at all.”
Martinez has not pitched in the new Stadium. He was 8-4 with 2.95 ERA in the old Stadium. The Phillies may turn to Martinez because Cole Hamels has been ineffective this postseason.
Martinez pitched seven innings of two-hit ball at Dodger Stadium in Game 2 of the NLCS. It was over 90 degrees that day, giving Martinez ideal conditions in which to pitch. The temperature at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night is expected to be in the 50s.
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Manuel was asked if he’ll give Alex Rodriguez the Barry Bonds treatment and pitch around him.
“If he’s not the best hitter in baseball, he’s one of the top three,” Manuel said. “He’s the guy in their lineup where you definitely say, ‘Don’t let him beat you.’ He’s having a good postseason, and it’s definitely something we have to deal with.”
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Cashman met with Cuban free agent pitcher Aroldis Chapman during Game 6 of the ALCS against the Angels Sunday at Yankee Stadium. No terms were discussed. . . . MLB officials would love for the champagne/beer showers that are staples of clubhouse celebrations to end but don’t know exactly how to enforce it. . . . The Yankees and Phillies will work out today at the Stadium.
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MLB will announce the six World Series umpires today. They are Gerry Davis, Dana DeMuth, Joe West, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson and Brian Gorman.