Times wires
Saturday, March 26, 2011
TAMPA — The Yankees completed their rotation Saturday, tabbing RHPs Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia as starters and putting RHP Bartolo Colon in the bullpen.
Nova and Garcia will join LHP CC Sabathia and RHPs A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes in the rotation, manager Joe Girardi said.
Nova, 24, went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 games, including seven starts for the Yankees last season. He went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five spring games, including four starts.
"We didn't know what Nova was going to do," Girardi said. "Obviously, we had expectations for Nova."
Garcia was 12-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 28 starts for the White Sox last season. He'll be the fifth starter.
"Finally," a smiling Garcia said. "Of course I'm happy. I've worked really hard this spring. We'll go from here."
RELIEVER HURT: LHP Pedro Feliciano, a key offseason acquisition, could begin the season on the disabled list with triceps soreness in his throwing arm, MLB.com reported.
Jays: Sense of relief
CLEARWATER — Blue Jays OF Corey Patterson said he felt no major aftereffects a day after being beaned in a spring game against the Red Sox.
Patterson was hit in the back of the helmet Friday by a high 90s fastball from RH reliever Daniel Bard. He fell immediately and remained on the ground for several minutes.
A CT scan showed no damage.
"I seem to be doing okay," Patterson told MLB.com Saturday. "I got checked out at the hospital (Friday) night and the doctor said everything looked fine. There weren't any concussion symptoms, but it doesn't mean that it can't evolve into that. Just have to keep an eye on it and make sure I'm in regular contact with our trainers."
FEELING BETTER: Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch, the former Dixie Hollins standout, was back in camp and feeling well a day after being hospitalized because of dehydration.
Phils: Pen clarified
CLEARWATER — The Phillies appear close to finalizing their bullpen.
Philadelphia optioned RHP Scott Mathieson and LHP Mike Zagurski to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to leave seven healthy relievers in camp, with RHPs Brad Lidge and Brian Schlitter expected to open the season on the disabled list. The Phillies are likely to start the season with seven relievers but may still look outside the organization for help.
"We've still got a few things in the works," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "We're not done yet. This isn't our club yet."
Still in camp are RHPs Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras, Danys Baez, Kyle Kendrick and David Herndon; and LHPs J.C. Romero and Antonio Bastardo
HEATING UP: Former Mets 2B Luis Castillo, in the midst of a weeklong tryout, went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs in a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays. After going 0-for-8 in his first two games, Castillo has reached base in six of nine plate appearances.