YANKEE NOTES
The Yankees are accelerating Carl Pavano’s rehab program, and he remains convinced he’ll play by September.
Pavano, who hasn’t thrown a major-league pitch in more than a year, will soon be cleared to throw breaking balls during his bullpen sessions. Previously, the oft-injured righty was only throwing fastballs since coming back from surgery to remove a bone chip.
“Everything’s been moving forward,” Pavano said after throwing a bullpen session before yesterday’s 3-2 loss to Seattle.
The Connecticut native threw 55 pitches, all fastballs. He’ll throw a 60-pitch session tomorrow, and then a 35-pitch bullpen of higher intensity. After that, he’ll be allowed to throw all his pitches.
Joe Torre said the pitcher clamored to speed up his rehab. Pavano is fighting the rep of being a malingerer for various maladies ranging from a sore butt to rotator cuff and back discomfort, which have kept him from being in a game since June 27, 2005.
“He feels good,” Torre said. “He was getting a little frustrated how slow he was going.”
GM Brian Cashman recently stated that Pavano could return by mid to late August.
“We definitely still gotta take it a bullpen at a time, as we have been,” Pavano said. “But everything looks good for the future.”
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Jorge Posada was originally scheduled to start behind the plate, but Kelly Stinnett started his second consecutive game. Posada was nailed by a foul tip after he came into Tuesday’s 5-4, 11-inning victory.
“That index finger was a little puffy today, although the swelling was going down,” Torre said.
Posada was on deck in the seventh when Bernie Williams pinch-hit, but he returned to the dugout when Williams whiffed. It was a ruse.
“He can’t hit,” Torre said of Posada.
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Alex Rodriguez‘s toe was sore, and he’s not sure if he’ll play all four games on the Toronto turf. “I’ll definitely keep Joe updated on how I feel,” he said. “It’s pretty sore right now.” . . . Robinson Cano (hamstring) was shut down Tuesday and yesterday, but he’ll resume fielding, hitting and running today. Cano is being watched very closely. “We just need to have him run the bases and not hesitate,” Torre said . . . If all goes well, Octavio Dotel could join the team on the road trip in Toronto or Texas. Dotel will pitch for Class-A Staten Island tonight.