The dollar signs indicated Tyler Clippard was probably a goner one way or another. But the rookie right-hander yesterday made the decision easy for the Yankees: Welcome back, Kei Igawa.
After allowing five earned runs over 31/3 innings in the Yankees’ 11-8 victory over the Mets, Clippard was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and replaced on the roster by outfielder Kevin Thompson. By next weekend Igawa, the Japanese lefty in whom the Yankees have $46 million invested, is expected back in the rotation.
“I just told Clip that we certainly appreciate what he’s done since he’s been here,” Joe Torre said. “It’s probably more important that we don’t lose this year for him. It’s important that he go back to Scranton and get himself in a routine at a better level right now.”
Clippard, 22 years old, was 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA for the Yankees, struggling in his final two starts. Against the Pirates last Sunday, he allowed five earned runs over 31/3 innings.
“I’ve still got a lot of work to do,” said Clippard, who walked 14 batters over his final 17 innings. “But [Torre] was happy with some of the things I was able to do here, so I’ll try to take a positive away from that.”
Torre did not officially name Igawa a starter for next weekend at San Francisco, but indicated before yesterday’s game that the lefty is ready, after having allowed two earned in his last two starts for Scranton. Igawa has been in the minor leagues since early May after going 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA for the Yankees.
“I knew [Igawa] is one of their guys and they want him here,” Clippard said. “Obviously I haven’t been pitching well the last couple of outings, so I knew [a demotion] was a definite possibility.”
Clippard, who had earned a measure of respect by dominating the Mets in his major-league debut last month at Shea Stadium, never got rolling yesterday, balking in a run and allowing two homers. He left the game with the Mets leading 5-4 in the fourth.
“[Clippard] is going to be counted on as a starter,” Torre said. “This season has a long way to go and there’s still a lot of things that can happen. He’s probably going to be important for us.”
mpuma@nypost.com