Mitre will get more than one start for Yankees
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Most Yankees fans probably don't know much about Sergio Mitre. They probably will get more than one chance to find out about him.
Joe Girardi said last night that Mitre, 28, who will be recalled to start against the Orioles tonight, is going to get more than one opportunity to hold on to the rotation spot vacated by the injured Chien-Ming Wang (shoulder), who had a setback while trying to play catch yesterday. "I'm not looking at it as a start-to-start basis," Girardi said. "He's our fifth starter."
Mitre's journey to the Yankees' rotation was not a smooth one. He pitched for Girardi with the Marlins in 2006, going 1-5 with a 5.71 ERA. Still, Girardi liked him enough that the Yankees signed him to a minor-league contract last November even though Mitre missed 2008 after Tommy John surgery.
In January, Mitre was suspended for the first 50 games of this season after testing positive for a banned substance. He blamed a supplement he bought at GNC.
When Mitre was able to start pitching, he did well. He went 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA for Class A Tampa and 3-1, 2.40 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Mitre walked only five in 45 innings for Scranton. He last pitched July 12, when he threw eight shutout innings against Buffalo.
"Sergio Mitre has a chance to step up and fill the void for us,'' Girardi said. "The key for him is his sinker. If his sinker is going, he's going to give us some distance.'' If he doesn't, the Yankees have few options other than moving Alfredo Aceves or Phil Hughes from the bullpen, something they don't want to do. So Mitre can expect more than one chance to make a first impression.
Trainer's room
Damaso Marte (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance for Scranton Tuesday. . . Johnny Damon started after missing a game with a stiff back.
