There is one last hurdle before David Wells officially becomes a Yankee – he’ll have to pass his physical today in Tampa.

Wells, who had back surgery last season, is expected to pass the physical because he is in his best shape in years, having dropped 25 pounds. Then again, if the Yankees’ baseball people really don’t want the wacky lefty, who will turn 39 in May, around, this is their last chance to get rid of him.

Wells is expected to take over the fifth spot in the rotation, which means the Yankees will trade Orlando Hernandez.