YANKEE NOTES
SEATTLE – Joe Torre and three members of his coaching staff were questioned at length last week by George Mitchell’s investigative team looking into steroid use.
Torre, first-base coach Tony Pena, third-base coach Larry Bowa and special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone were grilled by Mitchell’s team. While nobody was under oath, the Yankees supplied lawyers for their employees.
All four men were instructed not to talk about the session, but The Post has learned Mitchell’s team asked a lot of questions about Barry Bonds and Jason Grimsley.
Monteleone spent the 1994 season with the Giants, living next door to Bonds and lockering next to him in the Candlestick Park clubhouse. Monteleone also was a teammate of Grimsley with the Angels.
Torre managed Grimsley with the Yankees and Pena managed the pitcher in K.C. Bowa was a coach with the Phillies when Grimsley broke into the majors. Lee Mazzilli managed Grimsley in Baltimore but it wasn’t known if he has met with Mitchell’s crew yet.
Mitchell’s team also asked the managers if they ever saw any signs of steroid abuse.
More Yankee employees are expected to meet with Mitchell’s investigators next week when the Yankees return home.
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Jason Giambi didn’t know if his tight left hamstring would have allowed him to play first base last night but he was in the lineup as the DH.
“It was more sore than it’s been,” said Giambi.
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A “Baker’s cyst” – a collection of fluid behind the knee – is causing some soreness in Bernie Williams’ right shin.
“It’s a tape job,” trainer Gene Monahan said of the wrap on Williams’ leg. “It’s precautionary.”
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Hideki Matsui returned to the club last night and worked in the batting cage hitting off a tee.
“I felt pretty good. I didn’t feel any pain, and I had no problems,” Matsui said after hitting 40 balls with both hands.
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While Torre said he had Scott Proctor and Mariano Rivera back last night, he said Ron Villone “probably needs two games off.” … Carl Pavano is slated to make a minor-league rehab start tomorrow night for Triple-A Columbus, and pitch count is expected to jump from 78 to 90.
