YANKEE NOTES
The Yanks will take a good look at Ted Lilly in hopes he might be a candidate to become a second lefty in the postseason pen.
The 24-year-old California native has not been told what role he might or might not have for the Bombers in the postseason, the only hopes he has to go on is interim pitching coach Billy Connors’ recent comment to him: “When you get your opportunity, go out and give it what you got. Who knows what will happen the next two weeks.”
Lilly does not seem overly angst-ridden about his future. A starter, Lilly will be used to get left-handed batters out in tight spots, if he makes the postseason roster. He insists he’ll approach any situation the same.
“Whether it’s 10-0 or 2-2,” Lilly said, “my job is the same: get the guy at the plate out.”
Lilly did admit to looking forward to playing in the World Series. When Lilly was informed that he was the player-to-be-named later in the Hideki Irabu trade to Montreal, his spirits picked up. It was March of this year and while he knew he’d get lots of starts with the Expos, he wanted the chance to play in the postseason. “That’s what it’s about,” he said. So when Lilly was asked when he first started to think he might have a chance of latching on – meaning which day this week – he responded “March.”
“That’s when I first thought I’d get this chance,” he said, before saying a reporter first alerted him of his immediate chances about two days ago.
Torre said he’d look for Lilly to prove he can pitch on consecutive days. Lilly threw two impressive innings in the Yanks’ 15-4 loss on Sunday.
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Here’s the walking wounded update: Paul O’Neill (hip pointer) is feeling much better after his cortisone injection on Saturday but Torre said he won’t play the right fielder on the “concrete” turf in Toronto. O’Neill could return Friday at Yankee Stadium against Detroit. Bernie Williams (rib, calf) had no ill affects after his start on Sunday, but did not play last night, as planned, against hard-throwing right-hander Bartolo Colon. David Justice (groin, quad) “is as good as he’s gonna be” according to Torre. Tino Martinez, who has various bumps and bruises and has had two off days in the past five games, returned yesterday. With the outfielders all hurting a bit Torre admitted Ryan Thompson “could figure into the mix” for the postseason, but the manager reiterated that he’d “throw them out there” if it was the playoffs.
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Andy Pettitte (18-7, 3.86 ERA) goes against David Wells (19-6, 4.15) in Toronto tonight. “Pettitte has always been the guy nobody pays attention to, but he keeps winning,” said Torre. “For the most part, and Andy’s record bears this out, he’s throwing the best he has in five years.” As for why Pettitte has slunk under the hype-o-meter, Torre explained: “He’s always been behind guys with big personalities who came here with big contracts – Jimmy Key, David Cone, Kenny Rogers, Wells, Clemens. He gets lost in the shuffle, but he likes it that way.”
On Wednesday, Cone (4-12, 6.29) faces Toronto LHP Esteban Loaiza (9-11, 4.73) and on Thursday, Orlando Hernandez (12-11, 4.59) faces RHP Steve Trachsel (7-13, 4.74).
