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Torre Not Counting On Pavano For Opening Day

Feb 27, 2006 2:18 AM EST

New York Yankees starter Carl Pavano's sore back could land him on the disabled list to start the season.

"I'm not banking on him opening day," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "There's no rush even right there to have him ready opening day. The thing I think is important is he probably feels better than he did anytime last year."

Pavano missed the second half of last season because of a shoulder injury and finished 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA in 17 starts. His back has bothered him since spring training last year.

Via AP

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Dotel Hopes To Debut In Pinstripes By May

Feb 25, 2006 10:35 PM EST

Octavio Dotel is anxious to get back to the Major Leagues as quickly as possible, but the right-hander knows that he has to wait a few months before that will happen.

Dotel, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June, has been throwing on flat ground for several weeks, and he is slated to get up on a bullpen mound for the first time by the end of next week.

"I'm so ready," Dotel said. "I can't wait to get up there."

The Yankees are saying that the reliever won't be ready to join the team until June, though Dotel has his sights set on a May return. That said, he won't put his health -- or his team -- in jeopardy by trying to rush back before he's ready."

Via MLB.com

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Sheffield Cools Over Contract

Feb 25, 2006 2:34 PM EST

In the middle of the day, Gary Sheffield met with Cashman in a first-floor conference room. And while Cashman chose to say very little about the exchange, the GM had put a smile on Sheffield's face while not saying he was picking up the option or giving Sheffield a timeframe.

"Gary and I sat down and had a good conversation," Cashman said. "I don't want to speak for him, but I'm glad to hear what's important for him. It was important we talked. I am glad we did. I hope it will continue."

After leaving the meeting with Cashman, Sheffield was in a better frame of mind.

"It's about doing it the right way; we are not going to let the media come between us," Sheffield said.

Sheffield is proud of the relationship he has built with Cashman after the initial encounter wasn't good.

"I was upset at the offer he made me when I was a free agent," said Sheffield, who has stated the first offer was two years for $8 million. He eventually got a three-year, $39 million deal from Steinbrenner. "We had to build on it. He knew we had to talk and we did. We are on the same page, 100 percent."

Via NY Post

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Sheffield Angry At Yankees For Waiting To Pick Up His Option

Feb 24, 2006 6:37 PM EST

It doesn't take much to stoke the engines of Gary Sheffield's temper, especially lately. The right fielder is stewing about having to wait for the Yankees to pick up his $13 million option for 2007, which is reason enough for those RPMs to run near the red line.

Sheffield says the Yankees are making a mistake auditioning him. If they need a few months, or even weeks to see if his bat is still quick, the slugger is ready with a countermove. Actually, it's a thinly veiled threat: wait too long, and he's moving on.

"If my body feels good I'm playing somewhere, here or somewhere else," Sheffield said. "Either way I'll get my 500 home runs. It's no sweat off my back where it happens."

The Yankees think Sheffield will calm down soon enough. The money is coming, they say, even if it takes a month or two.

Via Bergen Record

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Unit Pitch Grazes Damon On The Forearm

Feb 23, 2006 11:21 PM EST

Johnny Damon was grazed on the forearm by a Randy Johnson pitch Thursday during the first day of batting practice against pitchers. "I think the guys were pretty much teasing him saying he should have did that last year," said Damon, who played center field for the Boston Red Sox before signing a $52 million, four-year contract with the Yankees. "He's the best. I thought he threw the ball well. It was good to see the best right out the chute. I know exactly what I need to work on. Get my timing down. It was a good day."

Via AP

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Yankees Feb 2006 Archive

  • The Boss Predicts A World Series Title

    Yankees.com | Feb 22, 2006

    Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, eager to bring a trophy back to New York and excited about the acquisition of Johnny Damon, predicted on Wednesday that this year's Yankees will win the franchise's first World Series title since 2000.

  • Yanks Likely To Pick Up Option On Sheffield For 2007

    AP | Feb 21, 2006

    Gary Sheffield reported to spring training Tuesday and was upbeat after the Yankees said they'd likely keep him around for 2007.

  • A-Rod Unhappy With The Way WBC Handled His Decision

    Newsday | Feb 20, 2006

    "Just to make it clear, I only spoke once and then I spoke again three months later," Rodriguez said Monday after reporting to spring training.

  • Steinbrenner Tells Ozzie To 'Shut It Up'

    Greenwich Time | Feb 19, 2006

    Ozzie Guillen already has apologized for criticizing Alex Rodriguez, but George Steinbrenner felt inclined to defend his star in a way only he could.

  • Johnson And Posada Vow To Work Together

    AP | Feb 18, 2006

    Randy Johnson finished his first bullpen session of spring training, and Jorge Posada walked up to give the Big Unit a handshake.

  • Mussina Wants To Return In 2007

    NY Daily News | Feb 17, 2006

    Mike Mussina's six-year, $88.5 million contract expires at the end of this season and the 37-year-old said yesterday he would like to return to the Bronx next season.

  • Yankees Sign Deal With Erickson

    Newsday | Feb 16, 2006

    The Yankees have agreed to a minor-league deal with pitcher Scott Erickson today, Newsday has learned.

  • Pavano Hurt Already

    Newsday | Feb 15, 2006

    Carl Pavano, who missed the second half of last season because of a shoulder injury, has lower back discomfort that will prevent him from throwing off a mound until around March 1.

  • Clemens' Mother Wanted Him To Retire

    NY Post | Feb 15, 2006

    Before she passed away, Roger Clemens' mom wanted him to move on.

  • Yankees Claim Rasner Off Waivers

    ESPN | Feb 13, 2006

    The New York Yankees claimed right-hander Darrell Rasner off waivers from the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

  • Jeter Thinks Clemens Will Pitch This Year

    ESPN | Feb 9, 2006

    New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter thinks Roger Clemens will pitch in the majors this season.

  • Yankees Keep Arms Open For Rocket

    NY Times | Feb 9, 2006

    Roger Clemens has still not decided if he will pitch in the major leagues this season, so the Yankees are ready to pounce if he elects to return.

  • Dotel's Elbow Feeling Better Than Expected

    NY Daily News | Feb 8, 2006

    Octavio Dotel struck a perfect spring training pose yesterday, leaning back on a picnic table at the Yankees' minor-league complex and nearly matching the excitement of the autograph seekers outside.

  • Yankees Head To Arbitration With Chacon

    NY Post | Feb 8, 2006

    It looks as if the Yankees and Shawn Chacon are headed for an arbitration hearing next Monday in St.

  • Taxpayers May Pick Up Bill For New Yankee Stadium

    Seattle Times | Feb 8, 2006

    A proposed new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx might cost New York taxpayers almost $500 million in subsidies and lost tax revenue, a nonprofit group said.

  • Could Yanks Finish Season With Clemens And Pettitte?

    Newsday | Feb 5, 2006

    Yankees people think it will be a two-team derby between them and the Astros for Roger Clemens. They also see Andy Pettitte's backloaded contract as something the Astros will want to deal.

  • Damon Thinks Manny Should Defect To The Yanks

    NY Times | Feb 1, 2006

    Johnny Damon praised his former Red Sox teammate Manny Ramirez for his exceptional ability and for urging the Red Sox to sign David Ortiz.

  • Nationals Sign Felix Rodriguez

    AP | Feb 1, 2006

    Reliever Felix Rodriguez agreed Tuesday to a $600,000, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals.