YANK NOTES BOSTON – Consider the moves the Yankees made yesterday as a line change instead of a major shakeup that would lead everybody to believe panic had settled into the Yankees’ universe.
In order to make room for reliever Jeff Nelson’s return from the DL after an inflamed right elbow, the Yankees designated lefty reliever Tony Fossas for assignment.
Knowing that he wouldn’t have Ramiro Mendoza for last night’s game against the Red Sox at Fenway because Mendoza worked 32/3 innings Wednesday, Joe Torre requested another pitcher be available in long relief last night.
So Todd Erdos was summoned from Columbus (Triple-A) to be on call in case Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez’ struggles continued. Righty reliever Jay Tessmer was optioned back to Columbus to clear a locker for Erdos.
Another move has to be made today to make room for Roger Clemens’ return from the DL. That could be Erdos going down or righty reliever Dan Naulty, who is nursing a stiff neck, could be placed on the DL. And of course the Yankees could come to their senses and place third string catcher Mike Figga, the only player in the majors on a roster from Opening Day who hasn’t played yet, on waivers.
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Fossas, 41, will return to his Florida home and talk his options over with his family. He has seven days to accept an assignment to Columbus and would only do it because Torre is back running the Yankees.
“If I do accept it, it will be solely because of Joe; if Joe was still out, I wouldn’t accept the assignment,” said Fossas, who pitched ineffectively in five games in which he worked a total of one inning, allowed six hits four runs and homer.
Opposing batters hit .667 against Fossas’ 85 mph fastball and flat slider.
“If Joe had been here from the beginning, it would have been different because it’s all about getting an opportunity. It doesn’t matter if you are 19 or 40, you need to throw in games.”
Signed to get left-handed hitters out, Fossas faced five lefties and gave up three hits, one a grand slam to K.C.’s Larry Sutton when Fossas made his Yankee debut by giving up four hits and four runs in one-third of an inning.
Fossas pitched for Torre in St. Louis. Torre didn’t rule out Fossas returning if he throws well for Columbus because Torre believes a sharp Fossas can still give left-handed hitters a battle.
Nelson, who was out since May 3, gives Torre a veteran setup man to take the load off Jason Grimsley, who has thrived in Nelson’s role.
