YANKEE NOTES

MILWAUKEE – Kevin Brown’s 40-year-old body is barking again. And it might 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 him to say it was at the point where he needed to get it checked.

“We will have to see,” Joe Torre said last night. “There is a lot of discomfort. The next 24 hours will tell.”

If Brown can’t start against the Cardinals, the Yankees’ earth won’t implode. That’s because Chien-Ming Wang, their second best pitcher recently, could take the start. Wang, who had the lone Yankees win in the last eight games, beat the Twins Saturday and would be ready Friday.

Brown, who is 4-6 with a 5.43 ERA, has dropped two straight after winning four in a row.

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Two days at home to celebrate son Theo’s June 5 birthday was enough for GM Brian Cashman, who rejoined the struggling Yankees last night.

Talking from Newark Airport where his flight was delayed, 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.

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As expected 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.