YANKEE NOTES
Hoping to make Brandon Claussen’s major-league debut as comfortable as possible, George Steinbrenner ordered Columbus pitching coach Neil Allen to accompany the lefty to The Bronx yesterday and be on hand at Shea Stadium tonight when Claussen faces the Mets.
The Boss’ thinking is that Claussen has been working with Allen, the Triple-A pitching coach, and could need the security blanket. Normally, Steinbrenner would send organizational pitching guru Billy Connors on such an assignment but, the Boss opted for Allen.
Steinbrenner ordered Rick Tomlin, a roving pitching instructor, to oversee the Columbus staff while Allen is with Claussen, who is expected to return to the Clippers tomorrow.
Claussen, who had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow a year ago this past Wednesday, likely needs to blind Joe Torre and Mel Stottlemyre with his stuff to remain a Yankee beyond the finish of tonight’s game.
“A lot of things would have to factor in,” Torre said of Claussen sticking. “The game numbers won’t dictate.”
With five healthy starters, Claussen would have to nudge Jeff Weaver to the pen; that’s not a likely scenario.
Claussen was 1-0 with a 1.34 ERA in six starts for the Clippers and had four victories flushed by a leaky bullpen.
The Yankees will have to make a move today to get Claussen on the 25-man roster. Barring an injury last night or in today’s first game, Al Reyes will be designated for assignment, or Jason Anderson will be optioned to Columbus.
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Jose Contreras tested his strained right shoulder by playing catch yesterday in Tampa. As of game time last night, the Yankees hadn’t received word that anything out of the ordinary came out of the simple workout . . . After using Jorge Posada in the cleanup spot in five of the last six games, Torre dropped him to sixth last night. “Until he gets his stroke back, I want to get him out of the spotlight,” Torre said of the switch-hitting catcher who was in a 5-for-36 (.139) slump. Torre used Ruben Sierra as the DH and in the cleanup spot.
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Roger Clemens (7-5; 3.54 ERA) faces Jeremy Griffiths (0-0; 7.50) today at Yankee Stadium, and Brandon Claussen (0-0; 0.00) draws Tom Glavine (5-7; 4.31) tonight at Shea. Jeff Weaver (3-6; 5.73) opposes Al Leiter (8-4; 5.44) tomorrow night.
