YANKEE NOTES
BOSTON – Don Zimmer’s right knee may be feeling a bit better these days but the Yankees’ bench coach isn’t convinced he will stay with the club for the remainder of the season.
“I am going to Chicago and then when we go home, I will see how I feel,” Zimmer said yesterday.
The Yankees play three games against the White Sox at Comiskey Park this weekend.
Thanks to a special brace, Zimmer’s knee has improved to the point where he didn’t go home the minute Joe Torre took over the managerial duties from Zimmer Tuesday night. However, at 68, Zimmer may decide he has had enough of the daily grind.
Of course, Torre doesn’t want to lose the valuable asset next to him in the dugout.
“We will keep it going until [the knee] goes bad on him,” Torre said. “I am hoping that won’t happen.”
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Having received a clean bill of health Monday when he had an MRI and CAT-scan done on his back, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez hopes to get back on track tonight against the Red Sox after three miserable outings.
“I watched him on TV, and sometimes that’s a better view than at the ballpark because you see different body languages,” Torre said. “We talked the other day and he gets frustrated. He went through this last year and I am not going to say he gets mad at the umpire, but maybe he doesn’t get the call and he gets frustrated at himself and stops pitching. That’s the only thing I see.”
Torre mentioned a leg problem El Duque had three weeks ago but he said the organization is convinced he is healthy.
In his last three starts, El Duque is 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA.
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Jeff Nelson came through a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday night without a problem in his right elbow and will be activated tonight. Jay Tessmer is the leading candidate to be sent out to make room for Nelson although Tony Fossas is always a candidate.
Hernandez (3-4; 6.56 ERA) faces RHP Mark Portugal (3-1; 4.00) tonight.
Roger Clemens (2-0; 5.47) opens a three-game series in Chicago tomorrow night. It will be Clemens’ first outing since April 27 when he suffered a left hamstring injury. RHP John Snyder (6-1; 2.00) opposes Clemens. Andy Pettitte (2-1; 5.14) draws LHP Mike Sirotka (1-5; 3.28) Saturday night. David Cone (4-2; 1.69) goes against RHP Jamie Navarro (2-4; 7.13) Sunday.
