Notebook: Yanks’ woes resume
Darrell Rasner left his outing against the Mets in New York Saturday with a broken index finger that could sideline him three months, becoming the latest New York Yankees starter to go down with an injury.
Hit on the right hand by Endy Chavez’s one-hopper, Rasner lasted only nine pitches. He left Shea Stadium to be examined by a hand specialist and surgery was recommended.
“It turned out to be a pretty bad break,” general manager Brian Cashman said.
Starters Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina have returned from hamstring problems, but the struggling Yankees are still waiting for Phil Hughes (hamstring) to get healthy and Roger Clemens to round into game shape.
Jeff Karstens is recovering from a broken leg and Carl Pavano is also sidelined – again – with an elbow injury.
Tyler Clippard is scheduled to start for the Yankees tonight in the series finale. That would make him the fifth starting pitcher to make his major league debut for New York this season, and the seventh rookie to start. He would be the 11th starter overall used by the Yankees.
Rasner tried a few warmup pitches after the injury but when he threw a splitter on his fourth delivery, he hopped off the mound in obvious pain and grabbed his right hand before leaving for the clubhouse.
Reds file grievance
The Reds have filed a grievance against the Washington Nationals over the trade that brought sore-shouldered reliever Gary Majewski to Cincinnati last season.
The Reds contend that Nationals general manager Jim Bowden failed to inform them of Majewski’s shoulder problems when they got the right-hander as part of an eight-player deal from last July.
Majewski has struggled since joining the Reds, and is in the minors this season.
Swisher gets a buzz
Steve Swisher lived millions of fathers’ dreams when he chopped off his son’s unruly long hair – and Nick Swisher let it happen for charity.
The Oakland Athletics outfielder had his locks snipped behind home plate about 45 minutes before a game against the San Francisco Giants in Oakland, Calif., to the delight of thousands of cheering fans.
Swisher’s hair will be used to create a wig for cancer patients by a women’s cancer research fund.