YANKEE NOTES
MILWAUKEE – Kevin Brown’s 40-year-old body is barking again. And a left shoulder problem could be loud enough to force him out of his next start Friday in St. Louis.
Brown, who fell down at first base trying to convert a 3-6-1 double play Sunday against the Twins, was hurting enough yesterday for Brown to say it was at the point where he needed to get it checked.
Brown was examined by a Brewers doctor last night who diagnosed the problem as a bruise.
If Brown can’t start against the Cardinals, Chien-Ming Wang, their second best pitcher recently, could take the start. Wang, who pitched in the lone Yankee win in the last nine games, helped beat the Twins Saturday and would be ready Friday.
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Tom Gordon‘s right biceps problem had improved to the point where he and Torre said Gordon was available last night.
Gordon complained of soreness in the area following a two-inning stint Saturday and wasn’t available Sunday.
Gordon wasn’t used in last night’s 4-3 loss.
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GM Brian Cashman tried to rejoin the Yankees after two days at home to celebrate son Theo’s birthday. However, weather problems forced Cashman to cancel his plans. He is expected here today.
Cashman said there were no plans to elevate relievers Scott Proctor or Jason Anderson from Columbus (Triple-A). With each throwing well and Paul Quantrill not being used for long stretches and being ineffective when used, there was speculation the Yankees were going to release Quantrill.
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Derek Jeter was back in the lineup after missing two games with a severe chest cold.
“His eyes had a sparkle to them,” Torre said of his shortstop and captain who in addition to battling congestion was in a 2-for-19 (.105) slide. Jeter singled in his first two at-bats and went 2-for-5.
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Torre sat the slumping Tony Womack (2-for-24; .083) against lefty Doug Davis last night. Jason Giambi started at first base over Tino Martinez, who was in a 2-for-28 (.071) slide.
Giambi went 1-for-4 with an RBI but banged into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the fifth.
