YANKEE NOTES

Yankees 12

Blue Jays 6

TAMPA – While Joe Torre says he will decide on his final reliever today, the competition between John Flaherty and Chris Widger to be Jorge Posada’s backup could last until Sunday when the Yankees work out in Toronto.

“That could go all the way to Toronto, we aren’t dealing with a young kid there,” Torre said.

Ideally, the Yankees would like to tell the loser before they fly to Toronto tomorrow evening. But it may not be that simple because there is a chance GM Brian Cashman can trade the catcher who loses the battle.

“If I can make a deal I will do it,” Cashman said.

Either way, and the clubhouse buzz indicates Flaherty will be the choice, the loser won’t be out of the big leagues long.

Earlier this week Widger admitted he believed he was behind because of whom he was catching and the type of at-bats he was getting. Yesterday, after going 2-for-5 and homering in a 12-6 win over the Blue Jays, Widger admitted the uncertainty has been eating at him for almost a month.

“I broke my cardinal rule of not worrying about something you can’t control,” said Widger, whose $750,000 is guaranteed and who can’t be traded until June 15 without his permission. “But I have worried the last three weeks. Now what happens, happens.”

Flaherty, whose $750,000 isn’t guaranteed since he is on a minor league deal, has an April 1 out clause in his contract but it won’t come to that because the first game is Monday, March 31.

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More is less for Andy Pettitte this spring.

Pettitte promised himself he would ease into the exhibition season and not tax his elbow as he had done in the previous three springs. Now, after his final outing yesterday in a Triple-A game for Columbus against Scranton in Clearwater, Pettitte likes having less octane on his fastball.

“My velocity is down a bit because I didn’t build up arm strength like I usually do,” said Pettitte, who will start the second game of the season against the Blue Jays Tuesday in Toronto. “But I couldn’t ask to be throwing the ball better. I am at 90 (mph) and I used to throw 94, but right now I couldn’t get there. A couple of years ago I let it fly and got hurt when I overthrew. Right now I feel great and I am very happy with my cutter.”