Help at the plate and on the mound is within sight for the Yankees.
Hideki Matsui could be joining the team as early as tomorrow in Toronto. Then on Saturday, either Carl Pavano, whose last sighting roughly corresponded with Amelia Earhart, or Phil Hughes could be pitching against the Orioles because with Joba Chamberlain and Dan Giese both on the DL, the Bombers will need a fifth starter in Baltimore, manager Joe Girardi said.
Both Pavano and Hughes made minor league rehab appearances last night.
Matsui, placed on the disabled list June 27 with left knee inflammation, played a doubleheader Friday (1-for-5, HR, BB) and then a night game Saturday (1-for-3, BB) with Single-A Tampa before undergoing a simulated game yesterday in Florida with 15 at bats (11 against righties, 4 against lefties).
“It’s a possibility,” acknowledged Girardi of Matsui being activated for the Blue Jays. “So far the knee has been good so he’ll be evaluated [Monday] and we’ll make a decision.”
Girardi said Matsui’s rehab has gone better than anticipated simply because “every time we got to just [batting practice] it seemed to blow up but it has not happened this time. He seems to be healthy and he’s running well so we’re encouraged by it.” Upon his return Matsui likely would DH for the rest of the season.
Pavano threw for Double-A Trenton last night, allowing six hits and one earned run over six innings while striking out six for the win.
Hughes did not fare as well, pitching 3 2/3 innings allowing eight hits and five earned runs while striking out four for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Melky Cabrera also played for SWB last night, going 1-for-1 with four walks and two runs scored.
Chamberlain will resume his throwing regimen today and accompany the team to Toronto. He threw Friday and Saturday from 65 feet as he rehabs from right shoulder tendinitis. He’ll throw today and tomorrow, rest Wednesday.
Cody Ransom made his first Yankee hit memorable – a two-run homer in the seventh. Teammates got him to do a curtain call (and he got the ball back, trading in a bat).
“It was a lot of fun. I didn’t realize what was going on, the dugout was so loud. They just told me, ‘Go,’ ” Ransom said.
Derek Jeter went 4-for-4 – the 116th time he had three or more hits at home – and got plunked on the left forearm in the seventh. Said it was nothing serious. . . . Alex Rodriguez’s homer was 546th of his career, leaving him two behind Mike Schmidt.