Yankees notes, July 6

By Caleb Breakey/MLB.com


NEW YORK -- Manager Joe Torre's lineup change on Friday came out of left field -- literally.
Penciled in at defensive position No. 7 was injury-prone center fielder Johnny Damon, who hasn't played left field since June 22, 2001, while with the A's.

Left fielder Hideki Matsui needed a day off from the field, so Torre slotted him in as the designated hitter. That opened up left field for either Damon or Melky Cabrera, and Torre decided to keep the stronger arm in center.

"Even though left field may be a bigger field, I think the arm is the most important thing in keeping clubs like [the Angels], or Minnesota, from going from first to third a lot," Torre said.

"That's one thing I've noticed. Johnny has never been blessed with a strong throwing arm, and Melky has been great in that regard. It kind of keeps an aggressive ballclub from being overly aggressive."

The move didn't come as a surprise, as Damon has been working out in all three outfield positions of late. It was important to play Damon in left during a night game, Torre said, because dealing with the sun would be a tricky adjustment for someone who hadn't played there in six years.

Damon will spot-start in the corner outfield positions whenever Matsui or Bobby Abreu need a rest, Torre said. Center field, however, belongs to Damon because he's more comfortable there.

"I've got to go out there and wing it, and hopefully get to as many balls as possible, and hopefully Melky can cover me as much as possible," Damon said. "I just need to be ready.

"You play a little shallower in the corners, and the ball spins off left-handers' bats a little bit different, and hooks off right-handed bats a bit more. It's a change."

Damon played center field and made a diving catch on Thursday in the Yankees' 7-6 win. He said that's what "I'm supposed to do," and added that his temporary move to left is just another way to help the Yankees.

"Whatever they need," he said. "A lot goes on during the course of a baseball season. You have certain injuries, guys step up, and Melky has stepped up in center field. I think that's why Joe wants to use him out there, and take advantage of his arm from that position. I understand it's baseball, and you've got to do what you can."

Shooting for .500: With three games left before the All-Star break, the Yankees, 40-42, have a chance to get their record back to .500, which could serve as a mental boost to the club, Torre said.

"I certainly want to enjoy the break, and the only way to do that is to finish up real well," he said.

Damon said .500 is first on the team's list of goals, but it would take a three-game sweep of the Angels -- a tough task considering the Halos swept the Yankees in May.

"We know that the Angels are a solid team," Damon said. "They came in here and whipped up on us last time, so we'll have to go out there and prove."

Payback for Edwar? The Yankees newest reliever, Edwar Ramirez, who struck out the first three batters he faced in his first appearance in pinstripes, saw an old friend across the field on Friday.

Angels third-base coach Dino Ebel was the manager of the organization's Triple-A affiliate, Salt Lake, when Ramirez was with the Halos.

"He asked me, 'So you pitch here?'" Ramirez said. "'Keep going [like you have been and] everything will be good.'"

Twice Ramirez was released by the Angels, and when asked if this series meant a little something more to him, the right-hander grinned.

"I'm feeling, you know?" Ramirez said with a smile sweeping across his face.

Torre said he knows what it's like to want to do well against a former team, even though Ramirez's situation is quite different.

"I don't think it's the same mind-set," Torre said. "He obviously was released for the reason that he couldn't do the job, and they signed him again. They wanted him to do well, but it didn't work out that way. In my case, I was traded, and it took me about a year and half to get a hit against the Braves after they traded me to the Cardinals."

Kei location: Torre said Kei Igawa is still in the Yankees' rotation as the fifth starter after struggling in Thursday's win over the Twins, but the skipper doesn't plan to start the left-hander again until well after the Midsummer Classic.

"He'll be at the end of the line," Torre said.

The ability, the repertoire -- Igawa has what it takes to make it in the Major Leagues, Torre said. Igawa's control over his pitches will dictate how effective he'll be for the rest of the season.

"He made some great pitches [on Thursday], and he made some bad pitches," Torre said. "Walking the No. 9 hitter really started his problem, but he struck out Torii Hunter with a great breaking ball. Stuff like that. So when he gets his pitches in the proper spot, he can pitch here. There's no question."

Bomber bits: Andy Phillips was scratched from Friday's starting lineup because of a stiff neck. Miguel Cairo took over at first base and batted ninth in Phillips' absence.

Old-Timers' Day roster changes: Former Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry, third baseman Scott Brosius and shortstop Bucky Dent were invited to the 61st Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Former Yankees second baseman Steve Sax and pitcher Mel Stottlemyre, who were originally listed as attendees, won't be able to make the game.

A commemoration of the 1977 World Series champion Yankees will headline Old-Timers' Day. Introductions are scheduled to begin at 1:50 p.m. ET, with the game to follow.

Thirteen members of the 1977 club are scheduled to attend, including Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Graig Nettles and Chris Chambliss. They will be joined by Diana Munson, widow of Thurman Munson; Helen Hunter, widow of Catfish Hunter; and Billy Martin Jr., son of Yankees manager Billy Martin.

Paul O'Neil will also be in uniform for his first Old Timers' Day appearance.

Coming up: Roger Clemens (2-3, 4.26 ERA) seeks win No. 351 against John Lackey (11-5, 3.04) and the Angels at 3:55 p.m. ET on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.