Yankees want Cashman back

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Yankees want Brian Cashman to return as their general manager.

It was the organization's stance six months ago in spring training and last month at the owners' meetings, and it was reiterated again Monday.

"Same exact thing," Yankees president Randy Levine said from his office. "Nothing's changed."

Cashman is in the final year of his contract. Per team policy of letting deals expire and not doing extensions, talks will start after the season ends. All indications point toward Cashman, the GM since 1998, returning.

"Brian knows we're happy with him,'' Hal Steinbrenner told Newsday's Ken Davidoff Aug. 18 at the owners' meetings in Cooperstown, N.Y. "We've got a good relationship. We're going to talk about that at the end of the season.''

Hughes' disappointment

If Phil Hughes makes the postseason roster, it will be as a reliever, an announcement Joe Girardi made after Sunday night's game. Hughes, 5-5 with a 6.00 ERA in what has been an injury-riddled year, would like to be in the rotation but knows his recent problems with back spasms gave the Yankees no choice. "The back issue pretty much sealed my fate," said Hughes, who pitched 12/3 scoreless innings of relief Monday night.

But Hughes, who said he's no longer experiencing the spasms, also knows that the bitter taste of the season can be washed away with a positive October, his remaining goal.

"If we're the last team standing and I have an opportunity to contribute something to that, then you go into the offseason with a good taste in your mouth," Hughes said. "But overall, it's disappointing this year. There's no way to change that at this point. It's just motivation for next year."

Game 3 still up in air

Girardi would not say it is down to solely Freddy Garcia or A.J. Burnett for the ALDS Game 3 start. Bartolo Colon will start Tuesday night's game and has a chance to make a case. "Bartolo's starting again,'' Girardi said, "and I'm going to look at that, too."

Playing dress up

The Yankees usually have their rookies dress up near the end of the season and chose to do it Monday night. Hector Noesi, George Kontos, Andrew Brackman, Jesus Montero, Dellin Betances, Austin Romine and Brandon Laird all dressed as '80s pop stars, including Madonna, Milli Vanilli, Slash, George Michael and MC Hammer.

"I like it," a smiling Girardi said in the clubhouse as the rookies lined up for pictures. "I don't like to embarrass the guys, but they don't embarrass. They're good about it and they get a nice dinner out of it."