YANKEE NOTES
ANAHEIM – The Yankees yesterday placed reliever Antonio Osuna on the disabled list with a strained right groin and called up veteran righty Al Reyes from Triple-A Columbus.
They also said that Jason Anderson would have an increased role in the bullpen.
Osuna strained the muscle Tuesday night in the Yanks’ 9-2 victory over the Angels at Edison Field.
“I felt it pop on the last pitch,” Osuna said. “In 1996, I had the same thing and I was out for 1 ½ months.”
Reyes has pitched for four major-league clubs and was a late spring-training release by the Pirates, for whom he appeared in 15 games for last season.
The 32-year-old Reyes, whose fastball has been clocked between 90 and 92 mph, relies on a change-up for his out pitch. In eight games for Columbus, Reyes was 0-0 with one save. In 8 2/3 innings he allowed one earned run, seven hits, walked two and fanned 10.
He is expected to be around until Mariano Rivera returns from the DL. That could be early next week provided there are no further setbacks.
Anderson, who has impressed with his courage but has been prone to wildness, takes over Osuna’s role of right-handed set-up man that became open when Steve Karsay’s right shoulder was invaded by bursitis early in spring training.
“This moves Jason Anderson into a more prominent role,” manager Joe Torre said.
In six games going into last night’s action, Anderson worked 4 2/3 innings, gave up five hits, four walks (one intentional) and fanned four.
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The rebuilding of Jose Contreras continued yesterday in Tampa, where he participated in a detailed workout that included fundamentals designed to smooth his delivery.
“He did some fundamental work on his delivery and location,” said minor-league head Gordon Blakeley. “He also did some conditioning. We hope the fundamentals help with the control.”
Contreras, who is one of several high-priced Yankees working out in Tampa, is slated to throw in a simulated game today in Tampa and repeat the process Saturday.
From there, he is expected to start for Triple-A Columbus at Toledo Tuesday. The plan calls for one more Triple-A start on Sunday at Columbus against Scranton before Contreras rejoins the Yankees.
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Derek Jeter took another small step in returning from a dislocated left shoulder yesterday in Tampa when he threw to first base for the first time since suffering the injury on March 31.
Jeter plans to begin dry swings with a bat tomorrow.
He fielded 20 grounders at shortstop and then threw the ball to first. He started fielding ground balls on the infield grass Saturday, but didn’t make any throws.
“I’m doing good,” Jeter said.
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LHP Andy Pettitte (3-0, 3.60 ERA) faces RHP Ramon Ortiz (2-2, 5.96) tonight.
