Nomo lands with ailing Yankees

By wire services
Published July 28, 2005

NEW YORK - Right-hander Hideo Nomo, waived by the Devil Rays after struggling to a 7.24 ERA, signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Yankees, who turned to another discarded pitcher to fill their injury-ravaged rotation.

Nomo, 37, led Tampa Bay in wins at 5-8 when he was designated for assignment July 16. He hasn't pitched for 10 days, and Yankees manager Joe Torre said he wasn't an option to pitch Saturday, a slot that remains vacant.

"He's got to get some work in, sharpen up," Torre said. "It's like being on the DL."

With three pitchers from the Yankees' opening day rotation injured - Kevin Brown (back), Jaret Wright (shoulder) and Carl Pavano (shoulder) - New York has used 12 starters this season, including injured rookie Chien-Ming Wang.

Al Leiter, making his third start for the Yankees on Wednesday night against Minnesota, was acquired July 16 from the Marlins after being designated for assignment.

The Yankees on Tuesday pushed back Pavano's return from his injury and scratched Brown's scheduled start today.

Pavano, meanwhile, pitched five innings during a rehabilitation start for the Gulf Coast League Yankees against the Tigers in Lakeland, his first game appearance since June 27. Pavano allowed two runs, one earned, and two hits, throwing 43 of 54 pitches for strikes.

NOMAR STARTS REHAB: Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra went 1-for-4 and drove in two in his first rehabilitation game for Class-A Peoria. "All in all, I was pleased," he said. "We were talking about maybe just three at-bats, and then I was going, "Let's finish this game.' I think that says a lot."

SUIT TOSSED: A circuit judge in Rockville, Md., tossed out a suit by a cable television company that has refused to broadcast Nationals games in a dispute with the Orioles. Comcast sued the Orioles in April, seeking to block the team from moving games to its Mid-Atlantic Sports Network in 2007. The network was part of a deal the Orioles brokered with Major League Baseball to allow the Nationals to move to Washington this season.

ASTROS: Former Devil Rays right-hander Brandon Backe is headed to the disabled list with a strained muscle near his rib cage sustained during a throwing session between starts.

BLUE JAYS: Left-hander Ted Lilly, expected to miss just one start with biceps tendinitis, wasn't able to throw on the side and could go on the 15-day disabled list this week.

BRAVES: Catcher Johnny Estrada had his three-game suspension for an altercation with umpire Doug Eddings reduced to two games. He said his fine had been reduced from $5,000 to $3,500.

D'BACKS: Outfielder Jose Cruz, acquired from the Devil Rays in the offseason, was designated for assignment. Cruz, batting .213 with 12 home runs, was traded for left-hander Casey Fossum, who leads Tampa Bay starters with a 3.94 ERA. The contract of top prospect Conor Jackson was purchased from Triple-A Tucson, where the first baseman was batting .354 with a .457 on-base percentage and 38 doubles in 333 at-bats.

NATIONALS: Outfielder Kenny Kelly, a former Tampa Catholic standout, cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A New Orleans.

PADRES: Slumping San Diego got another jolt of bad news when catcher Ramon Hernandez decided to have surgery on his injured left wrist. A specialist in Los Angeles confirmed he has a small cartilage tear. Surgery is scheduled for Friday, and Hernandez is expected to miss three to six weeks.

TIGERS: Second baseman Placido Polanco, out with a strained left hamstring, was activated and in the lineup. Outfielder and top prospect Curtis Granderson was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

[Last modified July 28, 2005, 01:10:15]