Cone May Miss Game 4 of Series

Yankee right-hander David Cone may be unable to start Game 4 of the division series with the Cleveland Indians after his shoulder pain returned while throwing on the side Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.

Cone was taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for an MRI exam that disclosed inflammation, the pitcher said after returning to the Yankee clubhouse, but was otherwise “pretty good.” Cone pitched only 3 1/3 innings in Game 1 but said it was the result of bad pitching and not any tightness or pain from the tendinitis that put him on the disabled list for a month. He was activated Sept. 20.

Of Thursday night’s recurrence, Cone said: “It’s frustrating, but I’m confident I can pitch if I can deal with the pain. I don’t think there would be a risk to my arm or career. It’s a tenuous situation and we’ll have to see how it feels tomorrow. Joe’s got a tough decision.”

Cone referred to Manager Joe Torre, who must decide between starting Cone or Dwight Gooden in Game 4 Sunday night.

“We’ll wait and see how he feels,” Torre said of Cone. “We won’t pitch him if there’s any risk. [Gooden] is on schedule with his throwing and can start.”

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With the 1996 postseason experience behind him, Torre was asked about his emotions this time.

“I think I misjudged myself,” he said. “I was very calm the last week of the season, but I was nervous as a cat during that sixth inning [of Game 1, when the Yankees scored five runs]. I told [pitching coach] Mel Stottleymre, ‘You know, I could throw up right now.’ And he said, ‘Make sure you’re looking in [bench coach Don] Zimmer’s direction if you do.’ ”

SERIES AT A GLANCE

(Series tied, 1-1)

- Game 1: Yankees 8, Indians 6

- Game 2: Indians 7, Yankees 5

- Game 3: Sat. at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m.

- Game 4: Sun. at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m.

- Game 5: Monday at Cleveland, 5 p.m.*

* If necessary