NEW YORK - David Wells' poor pitching has jeopardized his place in the Yankees starting rotation.
A day after pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre criticized Wells for not throwing enough between starts, manager Joe Torre repeatedly refused to say whether the left-hander, 40, would take his next turn Monday at Toronto.
"We're going to do some more talking (today)," Torre said.
After the game the Yankees recalled right-hander Jeff Weaver, sent to the minor leagues two days earlier. Weaver's stay had been scheduled to last until Monday, but a roster spot opened when outfielder David Dellucci sprained his left ankle and went on the disabled list.
Wells went 0-2 in four August starts, allowing 22 runs and 35 hits in 221/3 innings, and is winless in six starts since July 19.
LEITER IN BOOTH: Mets left-hander Al Leiter is going to the League Championship Series, even without his teammates. Leiter said he'll be an analyst on Fox's coverage of the LCS this season, although he doesn't know which league he will be covering.
RED SOX REACQUIRE MERLONI: Utility infielder Lou Merloni returned to Boston, which traded minor-league pitcher Rene Miniel to the Padres.
FAN FINES: Fans who throw objects onto the field or court during a game could be hit with fines of up to $250 under a bill headed for the desk of California Gov. Gray Davis.
ANGELS: Centerfielder Darin Erstad has made enough progress in his rehabilitation from hamstring tendinitis that he believes he will play again this season.
ASTROS: The team has decided to slow the rehabilitation schedule for right-hander Roy Oswalt, out since July 30 with a right groin strain. Oswalt's simulated game was moved from today to Tuesday, replaced by a third bullpen session.
A'S: Rightfielder Jermaine Dye is doing well in his Triple-A rehabilitation stint, but the team doesn't expect to recall him until next week.
BREWERS: Manager Ned Yost and his coaches wore outfits made famous by Hooters waitresses, midriff-revealing T-shirts and orange hot pants, on their trip to Chicago. The staff had promised to do that if the team won 10 in a row.
CARDINALS: Second baseman Fernando Vina, out with a torn hamstring in his right leg, is expected to rejoin the team this weekend in Cincinnati. ... Left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, acquired in a trade with the Yankees last week, is scheduled for his first start Sunday.
GIANTS: Right-hander Dustin Hermanson was scratched from his scheduled start because of upper back spasms.
ORIOLES: First baseman David Segui plans to have season-ending surgery on his left wrist next week.
RANGERS: A third opinion on outfielder Juan Gonzalez's injured right calf confirmed team doctors's diagnosis that he has a pocket of fluid near the injury that should be drained.
TIGERS: Right-hander Shane Loux, who felt shoulder tightness Wednesday, plans to be examined today.
