TAMPA – The competitor in Gary Sheffield caused his surgically repaired left shoulder to bark last week.

“He tried to take as many swings as [Derek] Jeter and got a little cranky,” Joe Torre said of a batting-practice session at the minor league complex. “He is better now.”

Torre saw Sheffield in the trainer’s room, where he received treatment. They also talked by phone.

“He seems fine,” Torre said of his right fielder and No. 3 hitter. “The other day he tried to do too much but that was basically all it was. There was no damage done because he is fine now. He is going to have to take maybe not as many swings as somebody who didn’t have surgery.”

GM Brian Cashman isn’t concerned because his medical staff isn’t telling him to be.

“He is going through the rehab process,” Cashman said. “The doctor and trainers haven’t told me I should be concerned, so I am not. I don’t anticipate any problem.”

Sheffield hasn’t talked to the media since last Tuesday when he said, “I am not here crying like Jason Giambi about being attacked. I have been attacked my whole career.”

While Giambi was confused when he heard Sheffield’s remarks, Giambi said the situation was smoothed over recently when Sheffield called him.

“We talked on the phone and I have no problem with Gary,” said Giambi. “He and I are friends and he is a great teammate.”