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Farnsworth appealing his three-game suspension

BY KAT O'BRIEN | kat.obrien@newsday.com

April 20, 2008

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BALTIMORE - Yankees reliever Kyle Farnsworth was suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount yesterday for throwing a pitch behind Manny Ramirez's head Thursday - an action that Major League Baseball said was intentional. He is appealing the suspension, but the Yankees do not know when it will be heard.

"I was shocked, completely shocked," manager Joe Girardi said. "I don't understand it and I disagree with it."

Farnsworth was not ejected from the game, but plate umpire Larry Vanover issued warnings to both teams after the reliever threw a 97-mph pitch behind Ramirez's head in the seventh inning. Ramirez already had homered twice against Mike Mussina. Farnsworth said after the game: "It just slipped. I was trying to be aggressive and go in on him."

Farnsworth said he doesn't agree with the suspension or MLB's contention that the pitch's location was intentional. "It was intentionally, huh? Well, the ball slipped," he said. "As far as I know, I didn't hit him. If I want to hit somebody, it's not going to be in the head, that's for sure. I don't want to try to endanger somebody's career."

MLB vice president of on-field operations Bob Watson made the announcement about the suspension. Farnsworth's appeal likely will not be heard until after the Yankees return to New York on April 29.

Posada plays first

Jorge Posada was back in the field last night, though not behind the plate. Posada, who has mostly served as the DH this season because of a right shoulder strain, was at first base. Girardi said that was mainly to keep Alex Rodriguez in the lineup but not use him in the field. Rodriguez had played third base for 18 consecutive days; Girardi had figured he would get a day off when his wife, Cynthia, gave birth, but that has not happened.

Posada said he hopes to catch within the next few days. GM Brian Cashman said the Yankees are not thinking of a long-term shift of Posada to first base, adding: "It's not something that's on our minds at all."

Extra bases

Hideki Matsui was in the lineup in rightfield one day after being hit by two pitches ... With Joba Chamberlain off the bereavement list, Edwar Ramirez was sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ... Andy Pettitte rejoined the team after being absent one day because of a death in his family.

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