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 Yankees may drop Irabu from rotation
Posted: Monday March 29, 1999 06:55 PM
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- With Hideki Irabu struggling, the Yankees said Monday they want to see significant improvement before they decide to keep him in their starting rotation. "That's not Yankees," New York manager Joe Torre said Monday, two days after Irabu was hit hard by Philadelphia. "I'm disappointed. He's got to pitch better. We expect him to pitch better." Irabu was tagged for six runs and 13 hits in five innings by Philadelphia, failed to cover first base on an infield grounder and allowed three runners to steal second unopposed. He has given up 14 runs -- 13 earned -- and 24 hits in 15 2-3 innings this spring. Irabu is to make his final spring start Thursday against Cleveland. "I think it's very important on how I perform on Thursday," Irabu said through interpreter George Rose. "I'm going to go out there to do my best and bring my level of pitching up like it's a regular season game." Yankees interim manager Don Zimmer, running the dugout while Torre recovers from prostate cancer surgery, formally announced Monday that Roger Clemens will start the regular season opener April 5 at Oakland and David Cone will pitch the home opener April 9. While Orlando Hernandez will start the Yankees second game on April 6, Zimmer has not named the starter for what should be Irabu's turn April 7. "We'll make the decision when the time comes," Zimmer said. "I don't think anybody was satisfied with his last outing. We'll see what happens his next outing." If Irabu continues to falter, the Yankees will turn to Ramiro Mendoza, who went 10-2 last season in 41 games -- including 14 starts. "It's still his spot to lose," said pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre of Irabu. "I think he understands he needs to pitch well. I'd like to see things happen where he has struggled." Should Irabu be dropped from the starting rotation, he would be moved into the bullpen. Andy Pettitte, coming back from a strained muscle in his throwing elbow, will likely make his second minor-league appearance Thursday. "If Pettitte was healthy, it would be real easy," Zimmer said. "Pettitte has made some real good progress. I think it won't be long until he's back in the rotation." Stottlemyre said "it's very questionable" Pettitte will have thrown enough innings to be ready by opening day.
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