MLB

Yankees keeping an eye on Dodgers’ Kuroda

The Yankees remain uncomfortable with the high price tag of Ubaldo Jimenez, but also equally uncomfortable with the state of their rotation behind CC Sabathia.

Thus, they are remaining in regular contact with the Dodgers about Hiroki Kuroda. The Yankees liked Kuroda enough that he was their second choice in last offseason’s free-agent market behind Cliff Lee. Nevertheless, by the time Lee signed with the Phillies, Kuroda already was committed to go back to the Dodgers.

Kuroda is comfortable in Los Angeles and so doubt remains if he would waive his no-trade rights to accept moving. There have been conflicting reports on the matter. And Kuroda might have to make a definitive decision because in a starter-deprived market there is a lot of interest in him, particularly from the Yankees and Red Sox.

BOX SCORE

The Yankees still are uneasy about Phil Hughes’ stuff, the durability of Freddy Garcia and, in particular, Bartolo Colon, and the trustworthiness of A.J. Burnett. The Yankees have Ivan Nova at Triple-A for depth, which brings them some comfort. But one Yankees official said this week that the uncertainty of the rotation is unsettling and because of that a second official said of Kuroda, “we are reviewing all options.”

The Yankees know they have the pieces to get Jimenez, who can project toward the top of a rotation. But the Yankees have enough concerns about Jimenez that they are doubtful to give up some combination that would include Manuel Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Jesus Montero and Nova, which is what Colorado is demanding.

Kuroda does not offer the high-end possibilities of Jimenez, but the Yankees believe he can be the same kind of above-average, steady performer even in the AL East that he is in the NL West. Also, with the right-hander at 36 and in the midst of a one-year, $12 million pact, the Dodgers cannot expect a substantial prospect return, certainly not in Jimenez’s class. Kuroda, though, does currently carry a Type-B designation, so an acquiring team that offers him arbitration in the offseason could either retain him or get a sandwich pick between the first and second round.

Kuroda allowed one run over six innings last night in a 3-1 loss to the Rockies, falling to 6-13, but with a 3.11 ERA.