nycballa88
06-03-2006, 01:13 AM
For the first time this season, Alex Rodriguez was not at third base for the Yankees.
Don't worry, Yankees fans, this isn't another injury for New York. Rodriguez was initially in the lineup on Friday, but was a late scratch due to a stomach disorder. He did not take batting practice and is listed as day-to-day.
Manager Joe Torre said before Friday's game that he noticed Rodriguez was less active than usual during the team's pregame meeting, incidicating that Rodriguez appeared sleepier than normal.
A team doctor sent Rodriguez home in the middle of Friday's game to get some rest.
"He was pretty washed out," Torre said after the game. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be weak, but we'll see where we are."
Torre leaned against playing Rodriguez on Saturday, but no decision has been made yet.
Entering Friday, Rodriguez was the only Yankee to have played in every game this season, having not missed a game since 2004, his first with the Yankees. Rodriguez played in every regular-season game in both 2001 and 2002 with Texas.
Rodriguez was 6-for-15 with four runs and three RBIs during the team's four games in Detroit. Entering Friday's game, Rodriguez led the American League in runs scored and was tied for fourth in the league in RBIs.
Rivera update: Closer Mariano Rivera, who experienced spasms in his lower back Thursday while putting on his shoes before batting practice, said he was feeling much better Friday.
"It felt better this morning," said Rivera, who estimated he was at 90 percent. "I was able to walk around normal."
Rivera did not play catch or participate in any physical activities Friday, and there is no set timetable for his return. Rivera said he would receive heat treatments and probably a massage to help loosen up his back.
"I think, for my team, it's better if I take one or two days and be safe than try to push it and have it be worse," Rivera said.
Without Rivera on Thursday, Kyle Farnsworth assumed the closer's role and blew the save opportunity, giving up two runs on three hits in one-third of an inning.
Torre said if there was a save situation Friday, he would use either Farnsworth again, or turn to lefty Ron Villone, who has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances, a span of 8 2/3 innings.
Out of right field: With Gary Sheffield out, right field is a position in a state of confusion for the Yankees, who are juggling Terrence Long, Bernie Williams and now Kevin Thompson at the spot.
Long went 0-for-5 Thursday in his eighth start of the year (five in right field), and is 2-for-16 on the road trip. He is hitless in his last 10 at-bats.
Williams was in the lineup Friday night, but Thompson may see some time this weekend. Torre said the team will probably start Thompson soon "to see what we see."
Thompson was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, replacing Sheffield, who was put on the 15-day disabled list with a ligaement tear and a dislocating tendon in his left wrist.
Chacon's rehab: Starter Shawn Chacon, who's missed 14 games with a left leg hematoma, will make a rehab start Sunday with Double-A Trenton against Reading.
"[The leg]'s not an issue," he said, having thrown a pair of bullpen sessions this week.
Torre said it will probably be the only rehab start Chacon makes, meaning Chacon could start for the Yankees sometime next weekend.
Jeter returns: Shortstop Derek Jeter missed the final two games of the Detroit series with a sprained right hand, but was back in the lineup Friday night.
He exited Monday's game after suffering a slightly jammed right hand while sliding into second base in the third inning.
Jeter, third in the AL with a .338 average, batted third Friday night for the first time since Sept. 28, 2003, a game also against the Orioles. He hit third due to Rodriguez's absence from the lineup, and Jeter singled to right field in his first at-bat Friday.
Scotty smiling: Scott Proctor had some welcome company in Baltimore on Friday, as his wife, Carrie, and their two children, Camden (who was named after Camden Yards) and Mary Elizabeth (M.E.), made the trip from Florida.
M.E., who is now 2 1/2 months old, underwent heart surgery right before the start of the regular season. She was unable to fly until this weekend, when doctors cleared the infant to make the trip to Baltimore.
"She's doing great," Proctor said.
Coming up: On Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET, Randy Johnson (7-4, 5.37) looks to build on his two-game winning streak against Baltimore, which starts rookie left-hander Adam Loewen (0-0, 9.64).
Don't worry, Yankees fans, this isn't another injury for New York. Rodriguez was initially in the lineup on Friday, but was a late scratch due to a stomach disorder. He did not take batting practice and is listed as day-to-day.
Manager Joe Torre said before Friday's game that he noticed Rodriguez was less active than usual during the team's pregame meeting, incidicating that Rodriguez appeared sleepier than normal.
A team doctor sent Rodriguez home in the middle of Friday's game to get some rest.
"He was pretty washed out," Torre said after the game. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be weak, but we'll see where we are."
Torre leaned against playing Rodriguez on Saturday, but no decision has been made yet.
Entering Friday, Rodriguez was the only Yankee to have played in every game this season, having not missed a game since 2004, his first with the Yankees. Rodriguez played in every regular-season game in both 2001 and 2002 with Texas.
Rodriguez was 6-for-15 with four runs and three RBIs during the team's four games in Detroit. Entering Friday's game, Rodriguez led the American League in runs scored and was tied for fourth in the league in RBIs.
Rivera update: Closer Mariano Rivera, who experienced spasms in his lower back Thursday while putting on his shoes before batting practice, said he was feeling much better Friday.
"It felt better this morning," said Rivera, who estimated he was at 90 percent. "I was able to walk around normal."
Rivera did not play catch or participate in any physical activities Friday, and there is no set timetable for his return. Rivera said he would receive heat treatments and probably a massage to help loosen up his back.
"I think, for my team, it's better if I take one or two days and be safe than try to push it and have it be worse," Rivera said.
Without Rivera on Thursday, Kyle Farnsworth assumed the closer's role and blew the save opportunity, giving up two runs on three hits in one-third of an inning.
Torre said if there was a save situation Friday, he would use either Farnsworth again, or turn to lefty Ron Villone, who has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances, a span of 8 2/3 innings.
Out of right field: With Gary Sheffield out, right field is a position in a state of confusion for the Yankees, who are juggling Terrence Long, Bernie Williams and now Kevin Thompson at the spot.
Long went 0-for-5 Thursday in his eighth start of the year (five in right field), and is 2-for-16 on the road trip. He is hitless in his last 10 at-bats.
Williams was in the lineup Friday night, but Thompson may see some time this weekend. Torre said the team will probably start Thompson soon "to see what we see."
Thompson was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, replacing Sheffield, who was put on the 15-day disabled list with a ligaement tear and a dislocating tendon in his left wrist.
Chacon's rehab: Starter Shawn Chacon, who's missed 14 games with a left leg hematoma, will make a rehab start Sunday with Double-A Trenton against Reading.
"[The leg]'s not an issue," he said, having thrown a pair of bullpen sessions this week.
Torre said it will probably be the only rehab start Chacon makes, meaning Chacon could start for the Yankees sometime next weekend.
Jeter returns: Shortstop Derek Jeter missed the final two games of the Detroit series with a sprained right hand, but was back in the lineup Friday night.
He exited Monday's game after suffering a slightly jammed right hand while sliding into second base in the third inning.
Jeter, third in the AL with a .338 average, batted third Friday night for the first time since Sept. 28, 2003, a game also against the Orioles. He hit third due to Rodriguez's absence from the lineup, and Jeter singled to right field in his first at-bat Friday.
Scotty smiling: Scott Proctor had some welcome company in Baltimore on Friday, as his wife, Carrie, and their two children, Camden (who was named after Camden Yards) and Mary Elizabeth (M.E.), made the trip from Florida.
M.E., who is now 2 1/2 months old, underwent heart surgery right before the start of the regular season. She was unable to fly until this weekend, when doctors cleared the infant to make the trip to Baltimore.
"She's doing great," Proctor said.
Coming up: On Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET, Randy Johnson (7-4, 5.37) looks to build on his two-game winning streak against Baltimore, which starts rookie left-hander Adam Loewen (0-0, 9.64).