CLEVELAND – Brian Cashman believes Al Leiter has enough left to help the Yankees.
However, the GM isn’t making any long-term promises to the struggling lefty.
“We will see,” Cashman said last night, 24 hours after Leiter’s lack of control resulted in five walks in two-plus innings that put the Yankees in a deep hole and resulted in a 6-5 loss to the Indians at Jacobs Field. “No one is promised tomorrow. (Tuesday night) wasn’t very good but I still feel he is capable of helping us. We will see. Time will tell.
“I have no doubt the ability is there to contribute. We are getting pitching back and we will make decisions.”
Despite Joe Torre loving Leiter’s experience, the 39-year-old Jersey Shore native could be pitching for his big league uniform Sunday in Toronto.
With Carl Pavano due back from the DL to start Tuesday against the White Sox, the Yankees will have to decide if they are better served with Aaron Small or Leiter as their fifth starter. Small makes his third start as a Yankee tomorrow night in Toronto.
Since Leiter’s experience dwarfs Small’s, he would be the simple choice, especially since Small is an experienced reliever. However, since beating the Red Sox in Boston on July 17, Leiter is 0-3. Overall he is 1-3 with a 6.05 ERA as a Yankee.
Another struggle Sunday could force the Yankees’ hand.
Regardless of Leiter’s lack of control Tuesday night that resulted in him giving up five runs in two-plus innings in which he walked five of the 15 batters he faced, Torre still has faith in Leiter.
“Believe it or not, when I write out his name I still feel comfortable,” Torre said of Leiter, who was acquired from the Marlins for $400,000 on July 15 after the Marlins discarded him. “I think it’s a matter of tweaking it a little bit.”
Torre believes that Leiter’s last three outings have turned him into a nibbler who is trying to survive on the black of the plate.
“He is staying away instead of trying to make the perfect pitch,” Torre said. “In all likelihood that has to change.”
Leiter has been a nibbler his entire career, a pitcher who has been effective when he pours Strike One and then expands the zone. Lately, hitters have been laying off early in the count.
“It’s a cross between not wanting to give in to the hitter and not having an overpowering fastball,” said Leiter, who has given up 24 hits, 15 walks and hit a batter in 19 1/3 innings as a Yankee. “I refuse to get into the plate. I stayed with my cutter and they were taking it.”
How long will the Yankees stay with Leiter? There is less than two months remaining in the season and they started last night’s action 3 ½ games behind the first-place Red Sox in the AL East and three lengths behind the A’s in the AL Wild Card race. So, it’s no longer early.
“Every game counts,” Jorge Posada said after Tuesday’s loss. “We have to keep battling and keep on getting wins.”
The afterglow of Boston is long gone. Now, it’s about winning. And the question the Yankees have to ask themselves is this: Does Leiter give them their best chance beyond Sunday?
THE RACE
TEAM REC GB
Red Sox 60-45 –
Yankees 56-48 3 1/2
THROUGH TUESDAY
