YANKEE NOTES
ST. PETERSBURG – Talking through a team spokesman before the game, Mike Mussina’s words weren’t as encouraging as the ones that flowed from his lips after last night’s easy Yankee win over the Devil Rays.
Following his first bullpen session since being shut down with an inflamed right elbow, Mussina didn’t sound encouraged.
“It was OK,” Mussina said of the 43-pitch exercise that was supervised by pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre. “It wasn’t 100 percent, but it wasn’t bad.”
Four hours later Mussina was encouraged by how the hinge felt.
“I was a little rusty, it wasn’t my best bullpen but [the elbow] is a lot better than it was,” Mussina said. “If it keeps improving I don’t see any problem.”
Mussina, who hasn’t pitched since Aug. 29, played catch Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
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Gary Sheffield had to alter his approach at the plate when he came back to the lineup last night as the DH after missing four games with a strained left thigh that was heavily wrapped.
“The only thing I will try not to do is go out and get the ball,” said Sheffield, who went 1-for-3 and drew two walks but could barely run the bases. “If I try and go out and get the ball, I put pressure on my leg. It’s not flexible enough to do that. I am going to get on top of the plate like I did last year.”
Sheffield was forced to do that a year ago due to a bothersome left shoulder that required off-season surgery.
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Tino Martinez took batting practice on the field last night and Joe Torre hinted Martinez could be available for defensive duty. Martinez hasn’t played since Aug. 31 due to a right rib cage problem. . . . Outfielder Mike Vento made his major-league debut when he entered the game in the sixth inning. He is the 51st Yankee used this season and that’s a club record. However, that won’t be what Vento remembers. After hitting into a fielder’s choice in the eighth for the second out, Vento strayed off first base and toward the plate and was tagged for the final out.