AP News
(2010-05-03 19:53:09)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees will exercise caution with three key members of the roster as they eye a difficult stretch of the schedule starting this weekend against their arch-rival Boston Red Sox.
World Series stalwarts catcher Jorge Posada and closer Mariano Rivera would be eased back to work after injury complaints, the Yankees said on Tuesday.
Struggling starting pitcher Javier Vazquez was told to work on his delivery instead of facing the Red Sox as originally scheduled.
Posada will be held out of the lineup until at least Friday due to a strained calf, while Rivera, who complained Monday of tightness in his left side, said he could pitch if called upon but would leave that decision to manager Joe Girardi.
"I feel good," Rivera told reporters after a bullpen throwing session before Tuesday's game against the last-place Baltimore Orioles. "You're never going to feel 100 percent."
Still, Rivera said he would not mind an extra day or two of rest. "It's early in the season," Rivera said. "We have to make smart decisions."
Rivera and Posada, along with captain Derek Jeter and pitcher Andy Pettitte, have won five World Series rings since their big run of success started in 1996.
Vazquez is not fighting injury but rather poor form following a standout season last year with the Atlanta Braves.
The right-hander, who has been lustily booed by the home crowd at Yankee Stadium, is 1-3 with an unsightly 9.78 earned run average, yielding 32 hits and 15 walks in 23 innings.
Girardi said he wanted the right-hander to work on his pitching motion and location to regain confidence.
"Throwing in the bullpen is a pretty relaxed atmosphere," Girardi said. "I think in a way, you get away from it, without the pressure of a game."
After visiting Boston, the Yankees travel to Detroit to play the Tigers then return to the Bronx to play against the Minnesota Twins, Red Sox and AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays before going cross-town to meet the Mets.
"I'm not surprised," Vazquez told reporters. "I've been struggling, that's no secret.
"The good thing is, the team is playing great. That kind of gives me a little time to get it going."
(Editing by Rex Gowar)
