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OAKLAND, Calif. - The Yankees optioned right-hander Jose Contreras to Class A Tampa on Wednesday, a day after the shortest outing of his career.
The Yankees want the Cuban defector to work on his mechanics under pitching guru Billy Connors, the team's vice president of player personnel.
New York recalled right-hander Bret Prinz from Triple-A Columbus to fill the roster spot.
Contreras allowed six earned runs and four hits in two-plus innings in New York's 10-8 win over Oakland on Tuesday night. He said he had trouble locating his fastball.
Manager Joe Torre isn't sure what's wrong with the pitcher, who went 7-2 as a rookie last season but is 1-2 with a 9.47 ERA in 2004. Contreras may pitch in a practice game setting.
CHIPPER NEARS RETURN: Chipper Jones hopes to rejoin the Braves lineup Friday after playing one game in the minors to test his right hamstring. Jones, on the disabled list for the first time since 1996, ran the basepaths and reported no problems.
Meanwhile, Braves right-hander Paul Byrd, recovering from July Tommy John surgery, threw 75 pitches in simulated work.
FAN CHARGED UNDER NEW LAW: A New Jersey man who stepped onto the field during Tuesday's Mets game is the first charged under a new law prohibiting interference with professional sporting events. John McCarthy, 38, of Totowa ran onto the field at Shea Stadium. A conviction of interference with a professional sporting event carries a minimum fine of $1,000.
BREWERS: Milwaukee extended Scott Podsednik's contract for two years, locking in the centerfielder through 2006.
MARLINS: Right-hander A.J. Burnett threw batting practice for the first time since having elbow surgery in April 2003 and said he hopes to rejoin the rotation in early June. Burnett said he plans to throw batting practice again Saturday and Wednesday, then begin a rehabilitation assignment.
METS: Major League Baseball denied the team's protest of a game against the Padres because of a pitcher's delivery. New York played Saturday's game at San Diego under protest after Padres reliever Akinori Otsuka threw one pitch in the eighth, saying Otsuka balks with each pitch.
PIRATES: A Dominican court order opposing payment to Raul Mondesi was lifted, allowing Pittsburgh to pay its star outfielder. Mondesi had been playing without pay since February after a court ruling that he owed former major-leaguer Mario Guerrero about $640,000 for helping him improve his baseball skills. Mondesi had appealed but said the court ordered his bank accounts frozen.
REDS: Right-hander Jimmy Haynes was demoted to the bullpen and replaced in the rotation by right-hander Todd Van Poppel.
RED SOX: Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who has yet to play this season because of a right Achilles' injury, is expected to work out with the team when it returns to Boston on Friday.
TIGERS: Right-hander Nate Cornejo, who recently was demoted to the bullpen, went on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.
WHITE SOX: Shortstop Jose Valentin, on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, is due to join the team in Toronto today.