ST. PETERSBURG – Randy Johnson didn’t have a lot to say about his scheduled start against the Devil Rays being skipped tonight due to a left groin problem. What the veteran lefty did say painted a picture of a player who wasn’t happy about being held out in favor of neophyte Sean Henn.
“I feel fine, I could have started [tonight],” Johnson said in the clubhouse late yesterday, before the Yankees lost to the Devil Rays, 11-4.
Asked if he was disappointed he wasn’t going to face the Devil Rays, Johnson didn’t hesitate when he said, “Obviously.”
The good news for the Yankees is that they all agree it’s a one-game thing, and Johnson will start Monday against the Mariners at Yankee Stadium.
“It was safety first, that’s as simple as it gets,” Joe Torre said of the over-riding factor in making the decision. “He wants to pitch, but he understands what we are trying to do. We need him for the long haul.”
Henn, a 24-year-old lefty who hasn’t pitched above Double-A, arrives from Trenton tonight with a peculiar tag: Yogi Berra’s favorite pitcher.
The story goes that Berra took a liking to Henn a few springs ago and always asks about Henn’s statistics when he comes around Yankee Stadium.
As for what Henn offers, he features a 94 mph fastball, a good slider and has added a changeup to his arsenal.
“We like his stuff; he has a good arm and changes speeds,” Torre said of Henn, who was 2-1 with a 0.71 ERA in four games for Trenton (Double-A). “We will see, but it’s only one day.”
Aaron Small likely would have gotten the call tonight, but he is nursing a groin problem at Columbus (Triple-A).
According to Mel Stottlemyre, Johnson will go through an extended workout today that will have him long toss and throw a short session on flat ground.
“I think we made the right decision,” the pitching coach said of skipping Johnson. “It was bothering him at the end of [Friday night’s] game. At this stage of the season, why take a chance and pull it. I think he understands we have his well-being in mind. This makes me feel real good about next time.”
