TAMPA – When Ron Villone’s disappointing second half ended in October, it was hard to view him as a member of this year’s Yankees bullpen. He’d been burnt out by overuse, and the Yankees didn’t show much interest until signing the veteran lefty to a minor-league deal on Feb. 13.
Fifteen days later, Villone has impressed Joe Torre and is in position to make the club.
“From what I have seen so far, he is way ahead of last spring,” Torre said of the Bergenfield, N.J., native. “He didn’t have a very good spring as far as showing us arm strength. He is showing more arm strength this spring.”
A year ago, Villone had a guaranteed deal for $2 million and added $100,000 in performance bonuses. This time, he will make $2.5 million with a chance to add 300G – if he makes the team.
“The minor-league contract doesn’t give me any more incentive,” said Villone, who was in Arizona’s 2003 camp on a minor-league deal. “[On the mound] I don’t think about it; in [the clubhouse] and at night I do.”
Villone, who was 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 36 games during the first half last year and 0-2 with a 8.35 ERA in 34 games after the All-Star break, would give Torre a second lefty to go with Mike Myers in his seven-man bullpen.
Torre said Villone wouldn’t be the long man in the pen, so that could open the door for Jeff Karstens, even though the right-hander has been used primarily as a starter in the minors. Karstens was 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA in eight games (six starts) for the Yankees last year. Brian Bruney and Chris Britton also are in the mix.
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Mariano Rivera is working on a change-up but isn’t sure if he will use it in the exhibition games.
“I will let you know when I throw it, right now I don’t know,” said Rivera, who will throw a bullpen session tomorrow and make his spring debut Monday or Wednesday.
How far has Matt De Salvo rebounded from last year’s disaster?
“He has the best stuff in camp,” catcher Ben Davis said. “I have caught most of the pitchers and there is nobody better than him.”
DeSalvo, a 26-year-old right-hander, came close to making the team last spring and was almost dealt to Oakland. Then he struggled so badly (1-6; 7.68 ERA) at Columbus (Triple-A) that he was sent to Trenton (Double-A), where he went 5-4 with a 5.77 ERA. Finally, the Yankees dropped him from the 40-man roster to make room for Miguel Cairo.
According to GM Brian Cashman, right-handed reliever Humberto Sanchez will be sidelined 10 days with tightness in his right elbow . . . Chien-Ming Wang starts today’s exhibition opener against the Twins, backed up by stud prospect Phil Hughes and Ross Ohlendorf.