YANKEE NOTES
TOKYO – Two weeks ago, Donovan Osborne was the prohibitive favorite to be Joe Torre’s fifth starter. Today, his roster spot should be in jeopardy.
Osborne was rocked for seven runs and nine hits in two innings last night by the Hanshin Tigers and, suddenly, the Yankees have to wonder if they are better served with rookie Jorge De Paula as their fifth starter and Scott Proctor as the long man in the pen.
Torre indicated Saturday that De Paula and Osborne were going to make the team. However, Osborne certainly didn’t help himself in an 11-7 loss.
Osborne, 34, has pitched 11 games in the past four seasons due to injury but when De Paula suffered a back problem March 13, Osborne vaulted ahead of the right-handed De Paula. The latter pitched three innings in yesterday’s game, giving up one run and four hits.
It’s not imperative that the fifth starter be of Cy Young caliber since the Yanks don’t need one until April 10. After that, it’s April 20. Following that they hope Jon Lieber is back from a groin injury.
* Lost in Hideki Matsui’s memorable night in the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Yomiuri Giants was Jose Contreras’ third straight strong outing.
“I feel great physically and I feel good mentally. I am ready to start the season,” Contreras said after giving up one run (unearned) and three hits in five innings.
“He is getting better at maintaining his aggressiveness,” Torre said of his fourth starter.
* Yankees made four errors and Torre suggested playing on the artificial turf was one reason why.
“It’s a game of indecisiveness on this stuff,” Torre said. “Hopefully, we won’t have defensive problems.”
* Bernie Williams will play the outfield in a minor league game today in Tampa. He was originally slated to do that yesterday.
“It’s a move back, I don’t think it’s a setback,” Torre said. “He is still getting his at-bats.”
Williams hasn’t played the outfield due to an appendectomy on Feb. 26. Torre said the Yankees weren’t thinking of starting the season with Williams on the DL.
* Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre handled all the pitching changes but Torre said he will handle that chore when the regular season starts.