Around The AL East: Yankees

Hard as it may be for Yankees fans to believe, Kyle Farnsworth is an important part of the team's plans for 2008.

Especially for the fans who were booing so loudly last season.

The Yankees probably need another left-hander in the bullpen, but it appears that they believe the hard sinker of RHP Ross Ohlendorf and the hard stuff of Farnsworth could combat that need.

It's a tall order in this specialized era, and compounding the problem is the fact that RHP Joba Chamberlain, who worked his way into the setup role last season, is expected to become a starter.

Farnsworth heads into spring training as the Yankees' expected eighth-inning setup man. The Yanks want to continue to limit Farnsworth to one inning, but he has struggled for large stretches over his first two seasons in New York, he's not a fan favorite, and lefties had a .375 on-base percentage against him last year.

The Yanks are thin in lefty bullpen options. They include Sean Henn, Chase Wright and Kei Igawa.


NOTES, QUOTES
—RHP Andrew Brackman, the club's first-round pick last year, is expected to begin throwing from 90 feet this month. Brackman had Tommy John elbow surgery last August and might not pitch competitively for at least another seven months.

—RHP Phil Hughes reported to the club's Tampa, Fla., complex a month early. "I want to get on a mound before spring training starts and maybe get four or five bullpens in," Hughes told the Associated Press. "Physically, everything is good."

—OF Jason Lane was signed to a minor league contract and might see time at first base or off the bench. Lane, 31, batted only .175 last year with eight home runs and 27 RBI in 171 at-bats, but he hit 26 homers in 2005 with Houston.

—RHP Humberto Sanchez is hoping to pitch in minor league games by May, which would be 13 months after elbow ligament replacement surgery. "We're on the right track. Hopefully there are no setbacks," Sanchez told the Associated Press.


BY THE NUMBERS: 1.89—Rookie RHP Ian Kennedy's ERA in his final three big-league starts in 2007. Phil Hughes had a 2.66 ERA in his last four games, not including his 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the Division Series.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'd say we're going to go with what we've got." —GM Brian Cashman said, speaking on the YES Network about the Yankees' diminished chances of trading for Minnesota starter Johan Santana. Instead, the Yanks are prepared to go into spring training with their rotation as is.


MEDICAL WATCH OF/1B/DH Shelley Duncan (hernia surgery in October 2007) will be ready for the start of spring training. OF Hideki Matsui (arthroscopic right knee surgery in November 2007) is expected to be 100 percent by spring training. RHP Ian Kennedy (back strain) missed the playoffs but should be fine for next spring. RHP Carl Pavano (reconstructive right elbow surgery in June 2007) hopes to pitch before the end of the 2008 season.