YANKEE NOTES
Kevin Brown will throw off a bullpen mound today but don’t ask him about a timetable for a return from the DL.
“That’s too far down the line, my crystal ball is a little bit cloudy,” Brown said yesterday. “I don’t have a lens that good.”
Brown, who last pitched June 9, originally went on the DL the next day with a strained lower back. However, after a June 27 bullpen session didn’t go well, Brown went for tests. And when he heard Jason Giambi had an intestinal parasite, Brown was tested for that and found to have the same strength-robbing problem.
“I have been feeling better the last couple of days,” said Brown, who has four days of antibiotics left.
After missing more than a month, the common belief is that Brown will need at least one minor league rehab start. But the eccentric right-hander isn’t sure what he will require before returning to the mound, where the Yankees desperately need help.
“It’s so hard to tell,” said Brown, who is 7-1 with a 4.13 ERA in 13 games. “There have been times in the past when I have been out for a while and had a couple of bullpen sessions and was able to get out there.”
*
The Yankees have seven All-Stars the hard way. Hideki Matsui, a starter last year, won a five-player race and was elected by Internet voters for the final spot on the AL All-Star team for Tuesday night’s game in Houston.
“I’m very honored to be chosen to the All-Star Team. I’ll do my best to play well for the fans who voted me in,” said Matsui, who will likely be relegated to pinch-hitting duties.
Matsui, who beat out Minnesota’s Lew Ford, Cleveland’s Travis Hafner, and Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko of the White Sox for the last spot, joins teammates Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Mariano Rivera and Tom Gordon on the AL squad, which will be headed by Joe Torre and his coaching staff.
GM Brian Cashman said George Steinbrenner is relying on Dr. Stuart Hershon to tell him if Sheffield and Giambi are healthy enough to play in the All-Star Game.
“The Boss told me that Dr. Hershon will make that call,” the GM said. “I talked to Jason and Gary to make sure they understand.”
Sheffield and Giambi indicated they want to represent the AL in Houston despite battling health injuries. Sheffield is bothered by bursitis in the left shoulder and Giambi has been slowed by an intestinal parasite.
*
Triple-A right-handers Sam Marsonek and Juan Padilla will be in the Yankees’ bullpen tonight. Brad Halsey, who wasn’t slated to start before the All-Star break Monday, will be sent out. Either outfielder Bubba Crosby or reliever Bret Prinz will be the other player sent down.
Pirates assistant GM Roy Smith was at the Stadium yesterday to watch Halsey get shelled. Pirates are shopping Kris Benson, but the Yankees aren’t biting on the right-hander.
