The New York Yankees might go with a three-man rotation against the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Championship Series.
CC Sabathia is scheduled to start Friday night’s opener, with A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte as New York’s other two primary starters. The shortened rotation would allow manager Joe Girardi to keep Joba Chamberlain and Chad Gaudin in the bullpen.
“It looks like we have some rain in the forecast, so that can change things,” Girardi said Tuesday during a conference call. “We are definitely considering possibly going to a three-man rotation in this round, but we’ll have to take a look at it and see how it goes.”
New York swept Minnesota in the opening round and used Chamberlain as a setup man in all three games. He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, and combined with Phil Hughes and the rest of the bullpen to bolster the link between starters and closer Mariano Rivera.
“That was pretty good with us in the first round,” Girardi said. “If you go to a three-man rotation, obviously he stays in the bullpen. But if you go to a four-man rotation, then we have to weigh the benefits of either putting Joba in the bullpen or putting Chad in the bullpen.”
Sabathia made his final three regular-season starts for Milwaukee on three days’ rest in 2008, then started again on short rest in the playoffs against Philadelphia. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings and lost to the Phillies.
New York limited him to 230 innings during the regular season — down from 253 the previous year. He will start the opener against the Angels on eight days’ rest, another factor the Yankees think will enable him to be effective in Game 4.
GIANTS — San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy have been planning for the 2010 season for a while now, even with their own contract situations unresolved.
Now, they know they’re staying in San Francisco.
Bochy and Sabean each received two-year contract extensions with a club option after meeting with managing general partner Bill Neukom.
CARDINALS — A New York sports marketing firm has sued St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, saying he ignored their agreement to make appearances and sign autographs.
Steiner Sports Marketing’s lawsuit, filed Friday in New York, said the sports memorabilia company had a contract with Molina dating to October 2006. It says Steiner paid Molina $90,660 in advance when the contract was renewed in July 2008, but he later refused to attend autograph signings and will not return the money.
Steiner is seeking damages in excess of $175,000.
NATIONALS — Washington closer Mike MacDougal had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip and is expected to be fully recovered by spring training.
OBITUARY — Larry Jansen, the winning pitcher for the New York Giants in the 1951 playoff game decided by Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard Round the World,” has died. He was 89.
The San Francisco Giants said Jansen died Saturday at his home in Oregon.
RATINGS — Television ratings for baseball’s division series were up from last season.
The 13 games on TBS averaged a 3.1 rating, up 11 percent from last year. TBS said it had its most-viewed week in its 33-year history.
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