SLUMPING SHEFF TAKES DAY OFF
YANKEE NOTES
ST. LOUIS – Manager Joe Torre said Gary Sheffield's dwindling numbers had nothing to do with the All-Star right fielder getting yesterday off.
Early this month, Torre devised a plan where he would rest the 36-year-old Sheffield periodically. He did it in Kansas City in the first game of the four-city trip that ended yesterday. Torre was going to give Sheffield off the last game in Milwaukee (Wednesday), but the Brewers started lefty Chris Capuano.
So, with a day off today, Torre enabled Sheffield to get two days of rest and hopefully escape a 6-for-35 (.171) slump that lowered his average from .326 on May 29 to .296. He has hit one homer this month and has 10 for the season.
"It's just day-off stuff," said Torre, who used Hideki Matsui in right. "I have to pay attention to his needs even if he wouldn't call it to my attention."
Sheffield says the tendinitis in his left hand isn't a reason for the slump he descended into on the trip. A lot of it has to do with pitchers not challenging him inside, especially when Matsui – who isn't the long ball threat he was a year ago – is hitting fourth behind Sheffield.
Torre returned Jason Giambi to first base one day after playing Tino Martinez there. Giambi failed to make three defensive plays Friday night but wasn't charged with an error. Afterward. Torre said Giambi didn't look "relaxed."
"We need to get him at-bats, his upside is more," Torre said of Giambi, who singled and walked twice yesterday.
While Martinez provides Torre with the best defensive option at first, there is a chance Torre will play Giambi at first and use Ruben Sierra as the DH during the 13-game homestand that opens Tuesday.
Tom Gordon reported his right index finger was feeling better, but Torre hoped to stay away from his set-up reliever if he could. That wasn't the case, however, as Gordon came on to pitch the ninth inning without incident. Gordon was struck on the finger Saturday. X-rays were negative.
If the two bulging discs in Rey Sanchez' neck don't improve enough for him to be available tomorrow night, the Yankees will place the middle infielder on the DL and promote shortstop Felix Escalona from Columbus (Triple-A).
"I don't want to play (a man) short," GM Brian Cashman said.
Like Sanchez, Escalona can play short and second. He has appeared in 26 big league games at second, 38 at short and five at third.
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