Yankee 21
07-05-2003, 01:04 PM
Notes: Pride of the Yankees
Claussen to start for Columbus, giving OF a shot
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
Curtis Pride will provide the Yankees with speed off the bench. (Eric Gay/AP)
NEW YORK -- Wednesday's rainout in Baltimore did more than bump Brandon Claussen from the weekend's rotation against the Boston Red Sox -- it pushed him out of the Majors all together.
The Yankees optioned the left-handed Claussen back to Triple-A Columbus, purchasing the contract of outfielder Curtis Pride to take his spot on the 25-man roster.
"It was mainly for Claussen," said manager Joe Torre of the move. "It seemed like the best thing. We could have fit him in next week sometime, but you really don't want him going 10-12 days between starts."
Claussen, who defeated the Mets in his big league debut last Saturday night at Shea Stadium, said on Wednesday that no matter what happened in the immediate future, his first stint in the Majors is something he will always remember.
"If I get sent down, this has been a wonderful experience. Hopefully I'll keep doing well so I can make it back up here," Claussen said on Wednesday. "I wish it would have worked out, but I'll pitch against (Boston) someday."
Claussen will start for Columbus ( DAMN DAMN DAMN.....this means Nightmare is back in the number 5 spot.....would somebody just kill him for me please?))))) on Friday night. When asked if he thought that Claussen would still play a part in the Yankees' 2003 season, Torre said that it was a definite possibility.
"You never know. How many times does someone come up lame on you or need some rest?" Torre said. "With what he did for us and for himself that last start, when he comes back the next time, there will be a lot of questions he won't have to worry about answering."
Pride, 34, gives the Yankees another body on the bench, as the team had been playing with 12 pitchers. In 25 games with Columbus, Pride hit .314 (33-for-105) with two home runs and 16 RBIs. He was signed by the Yankees on May 23 after starting the season with the Nashua Pride of the independent Atlantic League.
Pride, who is deaf, has played for Montreal, Detroit, Boston and Atlanta in parts of seven Major League seasons. In 349 career games, Pride has a .256 average with 18 home runs, 76 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.
"In April, I was sitting at home, not getting any offers," said Pride. "I never thought I'd be picked up by the Yankees. It was a surprise and a tremendous honor. I'm very excited to be here, and I'll try to do whatever I can to help the team win."
"He's going to give us another body off the bench. He's a pinch-runner who can do some things," Torre said. "I've only heard good things about him with every stop he's made. He's a class act."
Pride, who will wear No. 11, has not played in the Majors since Sept. 1, 2001, when he was with the Expos. His best season came in 1996, when he hit .300 with 10 homers with 31 RBIs and 11 steals in 95 games for the Tigers.
"My speed has always been my biggest strength. I can be a pinch-runner to help this team," Pride said. "I did a lot of pinch-running for the Expos, so that's nothing new to me."
Progress for Contreras: An MRI taken on Jose Contreras' strained right shoulder on Wednesday showed improvement, so the right-hander will continue his current throwing program.
Contreras threw for 10 minutes from 60 feet on flat ground on Friday in Tampa.
"It's going to be slow," Torre said. "We have to know we're getting a healthy pitcher back first. When he went down, I thought it would be two weeks. Then they realized there was some kind of problem, and from that time, I've pretty much not thought about him. As long as everything is progressing, we have to have patience."
Contreras was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 10, retroactive to June 7. He had just won his first two starts in the Majors, defeating Detroit and Cincinnati, before being shut down following a bullpen session on June 8 in Chicago.
"The MRI showed improvement, so we'll see," said general manager Brian Cashman. "He'll progress and eventually get on the mound."
In other injury news, Antonio Osuna (groin) threw a 62-pitch bullpen session on Friday, and Cashman figures that the right-hander could return within two weeks.
Nick Johnson (fractured right hand) continues to take dry swings as he works his way back. He was placed on the DL on May 17, retroactive to May 15.
"So far, so good on the dry swings," Cashman said. "If everything goes right, I would guess we have a chance to get him back no later than August 1."
Bernie hits Trenton: Bernie Williams' rehab assignment was set to begin on Friday night at Double-A Trenton. If the first four games go well, the All-Star center fielder could rejoin the Yankees as early as Tuesday in Cleveland.
"If goes well, it's realistic he'll be back before the break," Torre said. "We'll have to wait and see how he handles the first couple of days."
The Yankees play three games in Cleveland and three more in Toronto before the All-Star break. Torre said he would consider playing Williams in Toronto despite the artificial turf at SkyDome.
"It would be one thing if it was a bum knee, but it's repaired," Torre said. "That's not to say I won't DH him, maybe give him one game in the field."
Star struck: With the All-Star selections coming this Sunday, Torre said that there were some players on his team whom he would like to see headed to Chicago for the July 15 Midsummer Classic, Hideki Matsui in particular.
"I'd like to see Matsui make it, because it would be a great feather in his cap for where he's come from," Torre said. "Not only across the ocean, but where he was hitting about a month ago."
Matsui entered June with a .261 average, three home runs and 32 RBIs. Last month, he went on a tear, batting .394 with six homers and 29 RBIs, capturing Rookie of the Month honors.
Torre also said he would like to see Jason Giambi selected, for many of the same reasons as Matsui. Alfonso Soriano and Jorge Posada will likely win the fans' vote to start the game, and Matsui was in second place among AL outfielders at last tally.
Among the Yankees' pitchers, a case can be made for starters Mike Mussina, David Wells and Roger Clemens and closer Mariano Rivera is having another All-Star season.
"The pitchers are up for grabs," Torre said. "Rivera, even though he got a late start, he's put up some impressive numbers. With the starters, you can take your choice between Moose, Wells and Clemens. Pitchers are tough."
No word on Bubba: Bubba Trammell remains on baseball's restricted list, as Cashman said he has not had any contact with the player or his agent, Len Hardison.
Hardison called Cashman last Sunday to say that Trammell would not be available for Sunday night's game against the Mets. The Yankees successfully petitioned the Commissioner's Office on Monday to have Trammell placed on the restricted list, opening a spot on the roster. Trammell does not get paid while on the restricted list.
Cashman said he had no idea whether Trammell would eventually play for the Yankees again.
"I can't predict the future. All I can tell you is that he's on the restricted list, and that's where he belongs," Cashman said. "Bubba is not here, so we're not concentrating on Bubba. He's not here by his choice, not by ours."
Claussen to start for Columbus, giving OF a shot
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
Curtis Pride will provide the Yankees with speed off the bench. (Eric Gay/AP)
NEW YORK -- Wednesday's rainout in Baltimore did more than bump Brandon Claussen from the weekend's rotation against the Boston Red Sox -- it pushed him out of the Majors all together.
The Yankees optioned the left-handed Claussen back to Triple-A Columbus, purchasing the contract of outfielder Curtis Pride to take his spot on the 25-man roster.
"It was mainly for Claussen," said manager Joe Torre of the move. "It seemed like the best thing. We could have fit him in next week sometime, but you really don't want him going 10-12 days between starts."
Claussen, who defeated the Mets in his big league debut last Saturday night at Shea Stadium, said on Wednesday that no matter what happened in the immediate future, his first stint in the Majors is something he will always remember.
"If I get sent down, this has been a wonderful experience. Hopefully I'll keep doing well so I can make it back up here," Claussen said on Wednesday. "I wish it would have worked out, but I'll pitch against (Boston) someday."
Claussen will start for Columbus ( DAMN DAMN DAMN.....this means Nightmare is back in the number 5 spot.....would somebody just kill him for me please?))))) on Friday night. When asked if he thought that Claussen would still play a part in the Yankees' 2003 season, Torre said that it was a definite possibility.
"You never know. How many times does someone come up lame on you or need some rest?" Torre said. "With what he did for us and for himself that last start, when he comes back the next time, there will be a lot of questions he won't have to worry about answering."
Pride, 34, gives the Yankees another body on the bench, as the team had been playing with 12 pitchers. In 25 games with Columbus, Pride hit .314 (33-for-105) with two home runs and 16 RBIs. He was signed by the Yankees on May 23 after starting the season with the Nashua Pride of the independent Atlantic League.
Pride, who is deaf, has played for Montreal, Detroit, Boston and Atlanta in parts of seven Major League seasons. In 349 career games, Pride has a .256 average with 18 home runs, 76 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.
"In April, I was sitting at home, not getting any offers," said Pride. "I never thought I'd be picked up by the Yankees. It was a surprise and a tremendous honor. I'm very excited to be here, and I'll try to do whatever I can to help the team win."
"He's going to give us another body off the bench. He's a pinch-runner who can do some things," Torre said. "I've only heard good things about him with every stop he's made. He's a class act."
Pride, who will wear No. 11, has not played in the Majors since Sept. 1, 2001, when he was with the Expos. His best season came in 1996, when he hit .300 with 10 homers with 31 RBIs and 11 steals in 95 games for the Tigers.
"My speed has always been my biggest strength. I can be a pinch-runner to help this team," Pride said. "I did a lot of pinch-running for the Expos, so that's nothing new to me."
Progress for Contreras: An MRI taken on Jose Contreras' strained right shoulder on Wednesday showed improvement, so the right-hander will continue his current throwing program.
Contreras threw for 10 minutes from 60 feet on flat ground on Friday in Tampa.
"It's going to be slow," Torre said. "We have to know we're getting a healthy pitcher back first. When he went down, I thought it would be two weeks. Then they realized there was some kind of problem, and from that time, I've pretty much not thought about him. As long as everything is progressing, we have to have patience."
Contreras was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 10, retroactive to June 7. He had just won his first two starts in the Majors, defeating Detroit and Cincinnati, before being shut down following a bullpen session on June 8 in Chicago.
"The MRI showed improvement, so we'll see," said general manager Brian Cashman. "He'll progress and eventually get on the mound."
In other injury news, Antonio Osuna (groin) threw a 62-pitch bullpen session on Friday, and Cashman figures that the right-hander could return within two weeks.
Nick Johnson (fractured right hand) continues to take dry swings as he works his way back. He was placed on the DL on May 17, retroactive to May 15.
"So far, so good on the dry swings," Cashman said. "If everything goes right, I would guess we have a chance to get him back no later than August 1."
Bernie hits Trenton: Bernie Williams' rehab assignment was set to begin on Friday night at Double-A Trenton. If the first four games go well, the All-Star center fielder could rejoin the Yankees as early as Tuesday in Cleveland.
"If goes well, it's realistic he'll be back before the break," Torre said. "We'll have to wait and see how he handles the first couple of days."
The Yankees play three games in Cleveland and three more in Toronto before the All-Star break. Torre said he would consider playing Williams in Toronto despite the artificial turf at SkyDome.
"It would be one thing if it was a bum knee, but it's repaired," Torre said. "That's not to say I won't DH him, maybe give him one game in the field."
Star struck: With the All-Star selections coming this Sunday, Torre said that there were some players on his team whom he would like to see headed to Chicago for the July 15 Midsummer Classic, Hideki Matsui in particular.
"I'd like to see Matsui make it, because it would be a great feather in his cap for where he's come from," Torre said. "Not only across the ocean, but where he was hitting about a month ago."
Matsui entered June with a .261 average, three home runs and 32 RBIs. Last month, he went on a tear, batting .394 with six homers and 29 RBIs, capturing Rookie of the Month honors.
Torre also said he would like to see Jason Giambi selected, for many of the same reasons as Matsui. Alfonso Soriano and Jorge Posada will likely win the fans' vote to start the game, and Matsui was in second place among AL outfielders at last tally.
Among the Yankees' pitchers, a case can be made for starters Mike Mussina, David Wells and Roger Clemens and closer Mariano Rivera is having another All-Star season.
"The pitchers are up for grabs," Torre said. "Rivera, even though he got a late start, he's put up some impressive numbers. With the starters, you can take your choice between Moose, Wells and Clemens. Pitchers are tough."
No word on Bubba: Bubba Trammell remains on baseball's restricted list, as Cashman said he has not had any contact with the player or his agent, Len Hardison.
Hardison called Cashman last Sunday to say that Trammell would not be available for Sunday night's game against the Mets. The Yankees successfully petitioned the Commissioner's Office on Monday to have Trammell placed on the restricted list, opening a spot on the roster. Trammell does not get paid while on the restricted list.
Cashman said he had no idea whether Trammell would eventually play for the Yankees again.
"I can't predict the future. All I can tell you is that he's on the restricted list, and that's where he belongs," Cashman said. "Bubba is not here, so we're not concentrating on Bubba. He's not here by his choice, not by ours."