YANKEE NOTES
MINNEAPOLIS – David Wells can’t stay away from controversy.
During spring training his book “Perfect I’m Not” stirred it up in the Yankees’ universe and led to a $100,000 fine. Last week, on a radio show, Wells said he had volunteered to quit during spring training if the issue caused too much of a distraction. Yesterday, YES’ Michael Kay reported that the 39-year-old Wells told him that this isn’t his final season.
Kay said Wells wants to pitch next year even if the Yankees don’t pick up the $6 million option (there is a $1 million buyout), and that he wants to pitch for a team with a chance to win. Kay said Wells mentioned the Mets or Red Sox, George Steinbrenner’s archenemies, as possible landing places.
Wells, 2-0, starts today when the Yankees go for a four-game sweep of the Twins at the Metrodome.
* Hideki Matsui wasn’t in Joe Torre’s starting lineup yesterday and that was a lot bigger news in Japan than it was in America. Matsui had played 1,250 consecutive games in Japan, the second longest streak in Japanese history. Sachio Kinugasa holds the record of 2,215 games.
In July of 1999 Matsui suffered a right rib cage injury in the All-Star Game and didn’t start the first nine games of the second half. But he appeared as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement.
“In Japan, I never experienced this,” Matsui said of getting ready for a game he wasn’t going to play in. “But whatever the Yankees need for me to do for the team I will follow.”
Matsui entered the game in the sixth as a pinch-runner for Bubba Trammell and has played in all 18 Yankee games.
Torre said the move was to save Matsui’s legs, especially on the unforgiving Metrodome turf. Trammell started in left field, stopping Matsui’s string of 17 straight starts in America.
“I guess it feels strange,” Matsui said. “I never sat out a regular season game.”
When Matsui returns to the lineup today it could be in center field to rest Bernie Williams’ legs.
“It’s a long season and the turf eats you up,” Torre said. “Bernie’s hinges are barking. I am toying with DHing him [today].
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LHP Wells (2-0; 2.45 ERA) draws RHP Rick Reed (1-2; 3.94) today.
