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Wells still disgruntled about his departure from Toronto

TAMPA -- While his back is coming along fine, David Wells still has sore feelings.

The 38-year-old left-hander allowed three runs in six innings against his old team in Sunday's 8-7 win, but afterward he said he feels badly about how his stint with the Blue Jays ended.

Wells went to Chicago last year in a six-player deal, but not before he criticized the Toronto organization for not doing enough to win and said its fans "stink."

"I had a great time (in Toronto)," Wells said. "I did my job, and I did it well. But some things were taken out of context. They made me look like an idiot, so I said trade me."

Now back with the Yankees after an injury-plagued season with the White Sox, Wells has given up seven runs in 212/3 innings this spring for a 2.91 ERA.

Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre asked Wells to throw 15 pitches in the bullpen after he was lifted in the sixth inning on Sunday to see how he would fare past the 100-pitch count.

"I felt good," Wells said. "I was loose the whole time."

GAME NOTES: In the first inning, Jason Giambi sent a Brandon Lyon pitch 400 feet to centerfield for a double, scoring Alfonso Soriano and Derek Jeter. Soriano had reached on an error when Chad Mottola saw the ball go off his glove in rightfield.

Bernie Williams also singled in the first. Williams had missed four days of practice with a strained left hamstring but started at designated hitter. Manager Joe Torre said Williams needs at-bats, but he doesn't want to risk aggravating his injury.

The Yankees' starting rotation is still undecided, because of injuries to Sterling Hitchcock (strained lower back) and Andy Pettitte (strained left elbow). Torre also said he's not ready to announce the batting order.

-- JEREMY RASMUSSEN

Lee eager for return

CLEARWATER -- Back spasms continued to keep first baseman Travis Lee out of the lineup. Lee did not play Sunday in a 9-5 loss to the Twins and is unlikely to return until at least the middle of the week.

"If he's not ready by Thursday, I'll be concerned," manager Larry Bowa said.

With a bus ride to Lakeland upcoming for Tuesday's game against Detroit and a night game against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Bowa guessed the earliest Lee will see action is Thursday. Before going down, Lee was batting .340 with a homer and nine RBIs in 16 games.

"I'm so disappointed because I haven't felt this good at the plate in two years," he said. "I don't want to lose that feeling."

Randy Wolf's woes continued against the Twins on Sunday. Wolf began the game 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four starts. The Twins pounded him for 11 hits and five runs in 51/3 innings, including home runs by Tom Prince and Dustan Mohr.

TODAY: Terry Adams goes for Philadelphia in a 1:05 home start against the Yankees.

-- ANTHONY GAGLIANO

Sirotka moves slowly

TAMPA -- The Blue Jays were hoping to see Mike Sirotka on the mend and possibly on the mound by season's end, but his progres has been slower than expected.

The left-hander came from the White Sox in the six-player Wells trade last year, but Sirotka immediately reported a shoulder problem. After an investigation by the commissioner's office, he remained with the Blue Jays but did not throw a pitch.

Sirotka was expected to be ready by mid May, but the team said he is leaving on Wednesday to be examined by team physician Tony Miniachi.

"It's not progressing as it should," manager Buck Martinez said. "We just think that for everyone's peace of mind, Mike's especially, we need to get the satisfaction of another opinion."

TODAY: Left-hander Scott Eyre will start against the Indians at 1:05 p.m. in Winter Haven.

-- JEREMY RASMUSSEN

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