Darrell Rasner’s hold on the fifth spot in the Yankees’ starting rotation couldn’t be more tenuous.
The right-hander allowed five earned runs over four innings in the Yanks’ 14-9 victory over the Angels yesterday, and manager Joe Girardi hardly gave Rasner a ringing endorsement afterward.
“We’ll continue to discuss things, and if we make a change, we make a change,” Girardi said.
Though Girardi was encouraged by reports he received on Carl Pavano and Phil Hughes, both of whom pitched Saturday for Single-A Charleston, it’s unlikely either right-hander would be deemed ready for Rasner’s next turn in the rotation, on Friday in Anaheim.
Pavano allowed one run on five hits over three innings and Hughes fired three shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out five. Each pitcher has made two rehab starts for Charleston.
Dan Giese would be a possible option to start in Rasner’s place, if a change is deemed necessary. Giese, who has started twice this season for the Yanks, bolstered his case with three innings of shutout relief yesterday.
Rasner received a no-decision and is 5-8 with a 5.23 ERA this season. He has just one victory over the past six weeks.
“I didn’t do my job today,” Rasner said. “I’m going to work hard this week, and I’m going to get better.”
After missing his second straight start to rest a bruised left hand, Robinson Cano entered the game as an eighth-inning defensive replacement for Wilson Betemit. Cano came to bat in the bottom of the inning – after the Yanks had rallied to take a 10-9 lead – and drilled a two-run single. Cano is expected back in the lineup tonight at Texas.
Pitching matchups for the Texas series – tonight: Joba Chamberlain (4-3, 2.24 ERA) vs. RHP Vicente Padilla (12-5, 4.52); tomorrow: Andy Pettitte (12-8, 4.18) vs. LHP Matt Harrison (2-2, 7.40); Wednesday: Sidney Ponson (6-2, 4.23) vs. RHP Tommy Hunter (0-0, 10.80); Thursday: Mike Mussina (14-7, 3.44) vs. RHP Scott Feldman (4-4, 4.97).
mpuma@nypost.com