Rafael Soriano could get back on a mound today or tomorrow as he tries to recover from inflammation in his right elbow.
The $35 million Yankees reliever has been on the shelf for the past week with his balky elbow, but manager Joe Girardi said the team hopes Soriano can throw a bullpen session before the current homestand is over. The Yankees head to the West Coast after tomorrow’s series finale with the Blue Jays.
Soriano has been playing catch in the outfield before games, but he has not been in the clubhouse when reporters are allowed in since making his remarks last week blaming the team’s hitters for the Yankees’ losing streak.
The Yankees probably would have Soriano throw a few bullpen sessions before sending him on a minor league rehabilitation assignment, so he still is likely weeks away from returning.
Soriano’s absence has forced Girardi to juggle his bullpen arms, using Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson in the eighth inning. Those two have carried a heavy workload, leaving Girardi with fewer options to set them up. Fellow right-handers Luis Ayala and Hector Noesi may be counted on to work the middle innings.
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Chamberlain was unavailable to pitch in last night’s 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Chamberlain pitched Friday and Saturday against the Mets, and warmed up Sunday. Even though he did not enter the game, Girardi treats that like an appearance and said he would stay away from Chamberlain.
Chamberlain said the eye infection he is dealing with would not prevent him from pitching.
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Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost declined a request to comment on players’ concerns about the warning track at Yankee Stadium. Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher both have complained this week about the surface of the track, and Teixeira called it “dangerous.”
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Jorge Posada is now 0-for-26 against left-handed pitchers this season after Blue Jays reliever Luis Perez got him to ground out in the eighth inning.
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Bullpen coach Mike Harkey was not with the team last night for personal reasons. Advance scout Charlie Wonsowicz took his place in the bullpen.
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Left-handed reliever Pedro Feliciano said he will begin a throwing program June 1. Feliciano has not pitched at all this season because of a left rotator cuff strain.
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The Yankees stole a season-high three bases, two by Brett Gardner and one by Curtis Granderson. Gardner cut his left index finger on the stolen base in the fifth inning, but said it was not an issue.