YANKEE NOTES
ANAHEIM – The rebuilding of Jose Contreras continued yesterday in Tampa, where he participated in a detailed workout that included fundamentals designed to smooth out 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 on Tuesday. The plan calls for one more Triple-A start on Sunday at Columbus against Scranton before Contreras rejoins the Yankees.
Seduced by a four-year deal worth $32 million to sign with the Yan- kees, Contreras struggled in five relief appearances before being optioned last weekend.
The move touched off a rift between George Steinbrenner and manager Joe Torre because Torre was told by Steinbrenner that the decision as to where Contreras would go was Torre’s. After Torre told Contreras he was going to Columbus, The Boss nixed the move and had Contreras report to Tampa to work with organizational pitching coordinator Billy Connors.
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 is 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.
* When Blakeley signed veteran reliever Al Reyes in late March, it was for a situation exactly like Reyes finds himself in today. Reyes was promoted to the big leagues yesterday when Antonio Osuna went on the DL with a strained right groin.
“It was for an emergency situation,” Blakeley said of signing the 32-year-old right-hander who was released by the Pirates at the end of spring training.
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 82/3 innings he allowed one earned run, seven hits, walked two and fanned 10.
He will be around until Mariano Rivera comes off the DL.
* LHP Andy Pettitte (3-0, 3.60 ERA) faces RHP Ramon Ortiz (2-2, 5.96) tonight.
