MLB

CHAIRMAN HAL NO WORRY TO CASHMAN

BALTIMORE – Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn’t believe yesterday’s naming of Hal Steinbrenner as Chairman of the Board of Yankee Global Enterprise LLC will have a direct impact on how the team is run.

“That’s all business stuff that’s above me,” Cashman said. “I really can’t comment because I don’t know that much. I meet with George [Steinbrenner] and Hal [about the Yankees].”

Hal, the youngest of George Steinbrenner’s two sons, has made an impression on Joe Torre.

“I have always liked him,” Torre said. “He is involved in a lot of things. He is a very serious minded person.”

The younger Steinbrenner will succeed his former brother-in-law, Steve Swindal, who was tabbed to take over from The Boss but fell from grace after a DUI this past spring and a divorce from Steinbrenner’s daughter, Jennifer.

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Roger Clemens went home to Houston and isn’t slated to return to the Yankees’ minor league complex until Monday when he is scheduled to throw a simulated game in order to test his balky left hamstring.

“Where ever Roger goes he has workout facilities,” said Torre, who has stated if Clemens’ leg allows him to pitch, he will most likely be the Yankees’ No. 3 starter the ALDS that starts next week at Cleveland. “Time will tell.”

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Torre started Johnny Damon in center for the second straight game last night.

“I wanted to give Melky [Cabrera] two days off,” Torre said of his center fielder, who went 0-for-1 and is 0-for-15 and 5-for-31 (.161). “Johnny will have off [today]. I am not concerned [about Cabrera], it’s more mental than physical.”

Damon stayed hot, going 2-for-5 with a homer. He is on a 15-for-39 (.385) streak.

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Torre and his coaches will meet today to go over what the ALDS roster will look like. Cashman will be in on the meeting via phone. Torre may announce in what order Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte will start. Torre said outside of Joba Chamberlain, Mariano Rivera and Luis Vizcaino, the other bullpen spots haven’t been picked. Kyle Farnsworth and Ron Villone are likely to make it, and Torre said he liked what he saw of Edwar Ramirez and Ross Ohlendorf last night.

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The Yankees started receiving scouting reports on the Indians yesterday when scouts Jeff Wetherby and Greg Orr were at Camden Yards to deliver the reports. Wetherby and Orr have been following the Tribe. . . . Torre said lefty Sean Henn likely will start tomorrow’s season finale. . . . Pettitte (14-9; 3.81 ERA) will make his final regular-season appearance tonight against RHP Daniel Cabrera (9-17; 5.36). Pettitte will be cut short in preparation for the ALDS.