TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is expected to open the regular season on the disabled list with an injured right groin.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday there is no timetable for how long Rivera will be out, but said players typically need three weeks to recover from groin problems.
“Unfortunately I think he’ll have to be disabled,” Cashman said. “If we play this thing wrong, we have more than a short period of time that we can damage here. We could jeopardize a much longer period of time, so we’ll take the safe approach.”
Rivera felt discomfort while making his final pitch in the ninth.
an inning-ending double play grounder by Travis Chapman in Detroit’s 4-2 win on Monday night.
“I’ve been treating it,” Rivera said. “That’s all they’re going to do. It’s a little sore. It’s better than last night.”
Rivera spent time on the disabled list last June with a groin strain in the same area. He exercised Tuesday, but is not throwing a ball.
Rivera was also on the DL last season with a shoulder injury. He has been dominating this spring, allowing one unearned run and striking out 12 in 10 1-3 innings.
Juan Acevedo, the Tigers’ closer last season, will get the majority of the save situations.
“If you’re going to step into the fire, step into the fire,” Acevedo said.
Acevedo came to camp after a signing a minor league contract.
“We have a lot of confidence in him,” Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. “He’s had a lot of experience there and has had a good spring. He’s throwing the ball very well.”
Antonio Osuna could also get some opportunities as a closer.
Steve Karsay, out with a right shoulder injury, will not resume playing catch until at least Friday and will start the season the disabled list.
“I’ve been running in circles,” Karsay said. “Playing catch, taking two days off. Playing catch, taking two days off. I decided it was time we got it right.”
There is no timetable for when Karsay will pitch again. He will remain at the Yankees’ complex in Florida when the team breaks camp on Saturday.
Left-hander Chris Hammond, signed during to replace the departed Mike Stanton has pitched twice in the past four days after being shutdown March 10 with shoulder discomfort.
He allowed two runs – coming on an Eric Munson homer – over one inning Monday night.
Hammond has given up nine runs – eight earned – and three homers over six innings in six appearances through Monday.
The Yankees might have two starters working as relievers.
Jeff Weaver was chosen as the fifth starter after the Yankees beat Philadelphia 5-0 Tuesday night. That means Cuban right-hander Jose Contreras will open the year in the bullpen.
Stottlemyre said Contreras will not be used in the closer’s role.
“He’s going to be out there and he’s going to be available,” Stottlemyre said. “Certainly we’re not thinking of putting him in a situation like that. Part of the reason that he’s probably going to be there is to get his feet wet with major league baseball here.”
Should the Yankees not be able to complete a trade, Sterling Hitchcock would be a long man.
“I would like to still move him and put him in a position where he can be successful because he’s a starter,” Cashman said. “If I do that for him, it’s a benefit to us as well. We’ll have a replacement for the ‘pen that’s more suited to do that. Meanwhile, we haven’t made a move and he’s still a member of the club.”
Notes: Cashman said he is not actively looking to trade for additional bullpen help. … DH-1B Nick Johnson, who had been out since spraining his left thumb last Wednesday, was back in the lineup. “After the first day it was pretty sore,” Johnson said. “I started treatment and it felt a lot better. The pain and soreness went away.” Johnson is slated to start the regular season as the Yankees’ primary designated hitter.
AP-ES-03-25-03 2243EST
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