DETROIT — Russell Martin didn’t want any more ramifications to come out of his run-in with umpire Laz Diaz in Anaheim on Wednesday.
He got his wish after talking to Joe Torre, MLB’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, yesterday.
“He wanted to know what happened. He wanted both sides of the story,” Martin said of the game against the Angels, during which Diaz refused to allow the Yankees catcher to throw new balls back to the pitcher, saying it was a “privilege” after Martin had argued balls and strikes.
“I haven’t been told anything [about a possible punishment],” Martin said. “I don’t want anybody to get fined.”
Still, Martin refused to take anything back.
“I don’t regret anything I said,” said Martin, who doesn’t expect any hard feelings to linger.
“I feel like it’s closed,” Martin said. “We’ll probably pretend like we’re best buddies [next time Diaz is behind the plate]. I just hope I get to throw the ball back to the pitchers. It was one of those childish things on both sides. I doubt there’s going to be an issue next time.”
Manager Joe Girardi agreed and isn’t worried about any further issues.
“I’m glad it’s over with,” he said. “We might not see [Diaz] for three months. I’m not concerned. And I’m sure baseball will be watching.”
“I’m glad it’s over with,” the manager said. “We may not see [Diaz] for three months. I’m not concerned. And I’m sure baseball will watch.”
“I’m glad it’s over with,” the manager said. “We may not see [Diaz] for three months. I’m not concerned. And I’m sure baseball will watch.”
“I’m glad it’s over with,” the manager said. “We may not see [Diaz] for three months. I’m not concerned. And I’m sure baseball will watch.”
“I’m glad it’s over with,” the manager said. “We may not see [Diaz] for three months. I’m not concerned. And I’m sure baseball will watch.”
* Brett Gardner, out since May with a strained right elbow, took batting practice and could be back for the Subway Series, which begins Friday at the Stadium.
“He’s going to start hitting pretty soon,” Girardi said. “I think it’s possible we could have him next weekend or the series after that.”
* David Robertson remains further away from return with his strained left oblique after his bullpen session was scratched because of rain in Tampa yesterday and could be pushed back to tomorrow.
“We’ve still got to get him a bullpen and more than one game” Girardi said.
* Hiroki Kuroda will go for just his second win away from Yankee Stadium tonight when he faces the Tigers tonight at Comerica Park. He earned his first road victory in his previous start, when Kuroda threw eight shutout innings against the Athletics.
