Jason Giambi had been expected back in the Yankee starting lineup last night, but the first baseman instead took a detour, making a visit to New York-Presbyterian hospital for further testing on his sore right foot.
An MRI exam confirmed the original diagnosis of a bone bruise, which Giambi received after getting hit by a pitch Monday night. That was good news for the Yankees, who are hoping Giambi will be available in some capacity when their four-game series against the Blue Jays begins on Friday.
Giambi’s foot was heavily wrapped.
Doug Mientkiewicz made a fourth straight start at first base last night, going 1-for-3 with a run in the Yanks’ 2-1 win over the Orioles.
*
Torre provided a glimpse into his thinking for a potential division series rotation when he was asked yesterday about rookie Ian Kennedy’s chances. Kennedy, who is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA, is to start against the Blue Jays on Saturday.
“Even if [Kennedy] pitches well, it’s certainly tough to ignore the guys who have playoff experience,” Torre said, mentioning Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens.
Torre doesn’t expect to have a grip on his regular-season rotation until the Yankees get into this weekend’s series against Toronto. Wang, Kennedy, Clemens and Phil Hughes are to start in succession.