YANKEE NOTES
For days, Joe Torre has spoken about wanting another backup infielder. Standing at second base taking grounders before last night’s game was 2000 World Series hero turned coach Luis Sojo.
Could he be a possibility?
“I wouldn’t eliminate it,” Torre said. “When you eliminate somebody you have to have somebody who would do the job better than him. I don’t know who that person is.”
The graying Sojo, who is listed at 38 years old, seemed to like the idea, although he won’t campaign for it. He said there is no doubt he could play.
“I’m not going to play 160 games,” said Sojo, who pointed out that Julio Franco is still active.
However, spoiling all the fun was GM Brian Cashman, who indicated that Erick Almonte, now at Triple-A, was the first in-house candidate.
Sojo, who plans to play in Venezuela this winter, seemed surprised when reporters approached him, but he smiled excitedly when the possibility of a return was broached.
“If they need me, I’ll be ready,” Sojo said.
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While Jason Giambi started at DH, despite getting hit on the right hand Monday, Aaron Boone did not play third. Boone sat out after hurting his ankle and foot while running out to the field in the ninth inning on Monday. Torre said that Boone might not start tonight either.
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Hideki Matsui’s streak of playing in 1,379 consecutive games, dating back to his Japanese career, is a huge deal overseas. Matsui didn’t start last night, but Torre planned on playing him at some point.
“It’s Joe’s decision,” Matsui said. “I totally leave it up to him as far as what is the best thing to do.”
Torre said that he sat Matsui because his bat seems slow.
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Without Jeff Weaver, the Yankees don’t really have a long man right now. Torre said that if the situation arose, then the Yankees would have to tough it out.