YANKEE NOTES
ARLINGTON – The pain in Gary Sheffield’s left hand is so severe, the Yankee right fielder believes he’ll likely land on the disabled list.
“We will see, but based on right now, that’s what I would do,” Sheffield said last night after being scratched from the lineup at Ameriquest Field.
Sheffield returned to the starting lineup in Friday night’s hold-your-breath 8-7 victory. It was his the first start he since suffered the injury a week ago yesterday at Yankee Stadium when he collided with Blue Jay first baseman Shea Hillenbrand.
While Sheffield delivered a key pinch-hit Thursday in St. Petersburg to help beat the Devil Rays, he knew quickly Friday night the hand wasn’t well enough for him to drive the ball.
“I am not ready,” Sheffield said. “I hit the ball [against] Tampa, but I am not feeling it off the bat. I am not hitting with a bottom hand right now.”
It showed Friday night, when Sheffield went 0-for-5. He hit four soft balls in the air and struck out.
Sheffield, 37, declared himself ready to play Thursday after two days of batting practice. But he admitted yesterday there is a world of difference between BP and games.
“The ball is straight and it’s easy to [swing at] 70 mph pitches in batting practice,” Sheffield said. “But to swing at breaking balls in games, you have to turn your wrist over, and that’s when it constantly hurts. Jason [Giambi] told me I wasn’t turning over my wrist. When I can’t do that, it’s a disservice to the team. My wrist is my bread and butter.”
Sheffield underwent an MRI a week ago today and the test showed no structural damage.
While manager Joe Torre hoped Sheffield could pinch-hit last night and today, and be ready for the Red Sox on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium after Monday’s off day, Sheffield said he might need to avoid pinch-hitting duties.
*
Less than 24 hours after he called hitting fifth “beautiful,” Alex Rodriguez was back in the cleanup spot last night when Sheffield was scratched.
“It doesn’t matter, I am still in the same position between the two lefties,” A-Rod said of hitting behind Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui.
Manager Joe Torre said A-Rod will hit fourth as long as Sheffield is out.
*
Carl Pavano’s 30-day rehab assignment starts today when he pitches for Tampa (Single-A) in a Florida State League.
RHP Chien-Ming Wang (1-1, 4.89 ERA) draws RHP Robinson Tejada (1-0, 3.60) today.
