YANKEE NOTES
DENVER – Unless a second opinion vastly differs from one offered yesterday, lefty Brandon Claussen is headed for Tommy John surgery.
Claussen, the Yankees’ top pitching prospect and their best chip for making a deal next month, was examined by Dr. Carter in Tampa yesterday. Carter put Claussen through a dye-imaging MRI and discovered a damaged ulnar nerve that almost always leads to tendon and ligament problems corrected by transplant surgery.
A shocked Claussen will see Dr. Allen Miller, the Yankees’ orthopedic surgeon in Tampa, today. If surgery is recommended, Dr. James Andrews will do it.
“He was shocked because he thought it was just tendinitis,” agent Sam Levinson said. “This was the farthest thing from his mind.”
The news hurts the Yankees on two fronts. One, they firmly believed Claussen has what it takes to be a successful big league pitcher and they were looking forward to the 23-year-left-hander being insurance for an aging staff next season. Two, they know that other organizations covet him and have insisted he be part of any package.
The Marlins will trade hard-hitting outfielder Cliff Floyd and have told the Yankees they like Claussen. The Tigers are shopping righty Jeff Weaver and have made it clear they want young pitching in return.
With Claussen likely headed for Tommy John surgery – and the 12 to 16 month recovery process – and outfielder Juan Rivera, their best player prospect on the DL with a fractured kneecap, the Yankees chances of landing an impact player before the July 31 deadline are severely damaged because they aren’t giving up Nick Johnson or Drew Henson.
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Mariano Rivera played catch for the second straight day off flat ground yesterday and reported no problems with his strained right groin. He doesn’t know when he will test it on a mound but Joe Torre said that could happen tomorrow or Saturday in San Diego.
Orlando Hernandez makes a rehab start Saturday for Tampa (Single-A) against Jupiter. If all goes well he will likely need one more outing at a higher level before rejoining the Yankees. *
While Blue Jay officials insist they haven’t been talking to the Yankees about a possible deal for an outfielder, Toronto has been keeping a close eye on Columbus.
Bill Livesey, the former head of the Yankees’ minor leagues and now a special assistant to Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, has been following the Clippers for the past three weeks.