YANKEE NOTES
MONTREAL – While the Yankee lineup has finally shown signs that it has found a level of consistency for the first time this year, there is a good chance it will be without catalyst Chuck Knoblauch for an extended stretch.
Joe Torre’s leadoff hitter missed his third straight game last night with a sore left forearm that he says was no better yesterday than it was Sunday when he left a game in the ninth inning in Atlanta.
“Friday, we will look at it and if we aren’t getting any better, and he is no better today, we may think about shutting him down and see if we can get that thing out of there,” Torre said of the injury Knoblauch suffered when he tagged the Indians’ Kenny Lofton on the head on May 21 and has forced him to miss five games since.
Knoblauch spent yesterday receiving several forms of treatment and will repeat the program today at Yankee Stadium while the rest of the Yankees take a day off to prepare for the Subway Series.
Asked if the club’s medical staff had any tests slated today, Knoblauch shrugged.
“What can they tell me, it’s not broken,” said Knoblauch, who has nine hits in his last 19 at-bats (.474). “But if I do have something done, maybe they will find something.”
If Knoblauch is placed on the DL for the first time in his 10-year career, it won’t be because he asked to be shelved.
“The team has to make that decision, not me,” said Knoblauch, who is hitting .287. “But it’s been the same as the last couple of days.”
Asked if he would be terribly disappointed missing the Subway Series, Knoblauch hoped that wouldn’t be the case.
“It’s the same as missing two games against the Red Sox which I did,” Knoblauch said. “Hopefully, that won’t be the case. You try to deal with it and do whatever your body lets you do.”
Yankees have a slight interest in struggling Phillies right-hander Andy Ashby, but with the Phillies seeking pitching in return, there isn’t a match unless the Yankees can work a third team into the picture. Phillies talked to the Padres about swapping Ashby for Sterling Hitchcock, but then Hitchcock blew out his arm.
Ramiro Mendoza played catch yesterday and is slated to throw in the bullpen tomorrow. If all goes fine with his bothersome right shoulder, Mendoza will start Tuesday against the Red Sox. He hasn’t pitched since May 30 when the A’s spanked him for five runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings.