Cone Is Ailing, so Gooden Starts

The New York Yankees determined Friday that David Cone’s ailing shoulder will prevent him from pitching Sunday’s Game 4 of their American League division series with the Cleveland Indians. They will start Dwight Gooden instead.

The Yankees and Indians resume the best-of-five series tied at a game apiece tonight, but the focus Friday was on the Game 4 development. Cone is considered the heart and soul of the Yankee staff, but whether he’ll be ready to pitch again in the postseason, if his team advances, may be doubtful.

“There’s the possibility I won’t be able to pitch again and there’s the strong possibility I’ll need surgery in the off-season, but I’m not ready to give up yet,” Cone said. “I’m hopeful that in the next few days I’ll make enough progress to pitch again this year. But right now I’m at an all-time low. The last two years have been a race against the clock, and it’s taken an emotional toll on me.”

Cone battled back from a career-threatening aneurysm to help the Yankees go the distance last year. He was activated Sept. 20 after a month on the disabled list for shoulder tendinitis, lasted only 3 1/3 innings as the Game 1 starter and felt what he described as a “scary couple pops” while throwing on the side Thursday.

An MRI exam showed recurring inflammation, and Yankee doctors think Cone may have broken down some adhesions or scar tissue, which may actually accelerate the healing process. He received an anti-inflammatory injection Friday and is day to day.

“Losing a David Cone doesn’t help,” Manager Joe Torre said, “but we have a veteran team that’s aware he was coming back from an arm problem, so it’s no big surprise or emotional jolt that he’s not pitching. We’re fortunate to have a Doc Gooden.”

Cone agreed, saying of his former Met teammate: “People forget that Doc has pitched a lot of big games. He’s pitched All-Star games and postseason games. He probably has more experience than anyone we have. He won’t be fazed or intimidated.”

Gooden, however, did not pitch last October because of arm problems and hasn’t pitched in the postseason since the NL’s 1988 championship series with the Dodgers, when his last pitch was hit for a dramatic and series-turning home run by Mike Scioscia. He was 9-5 with a 4.91 earned-run average this year but hasn’t pitched since Sept. 24, when he went seven innings in an 8-4 win over the Indians. Gooden has a 5-0 career record against Cleveland, including 3-0 this year.

“You want David out there, but only if he’s 100%,” Gooden said. “I like these situations, and I like rising to the occasion. I feel good and feel like I’m ready. Obviously, I’m rested.”

*

In the view of Charles Nagy, who starts for the Indians tonight, “We’re right where we want to be. It’s a best of three series, and all three are at home.”

Maybe the Yankees are right where they want to be as well. They have a 15-5 record at Jacobs Field and handed 15-game winner Nagy two of his 11 defeats this year. Nagy lasted only nine innings in three starts against New York, giving up 24 hits and 18 earned runs.

“I’m a sinkerball pitcher, and when I get the ball up I usually get hit and hit hard,” said Nagy, explaining those poundings.

“I can only go out and pitch the way I know how. I’ve had some good workouts and feel like I’m ready.”

TONIGHT’s GAME

YANKEES’ DAVID WELLS

(16-10, 4.21 ERA)

vs.

INDIANS’ CHARLES NAGY

(15-11, 4.28 ERA)

Jacobs Field, 4:30 p.m. PDT

TV--Channel 4.

* Update--Wells won his last two starts, giving up only two runs in 15 innings against Toronto and Detroit after losing five consecutive starts. “He had good stuff,” Manager Joe Torre said of that August-September streak, “but he tries to overthrow at times, and it affects his location.” Wells said the loss of David Cone as New York’s Game 4 starter was a big loss, but it won’t create added pressure for him. “I like a situation when it’s on the line,” he said. “I’m not afraid to lose.” The Yankees have won 15 of the 20 games they’ve played at Jacobs Field, but Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove said, “If Nagy is aggressive and throws strikes, we’ll be OK.” Cecil Fielder will make his first series start as New York’s designated hitter, with Tim Raines moving to left field, replacing Chad Curtis.

Series at a Glance

(Series tied, 1-1)

* Game 1: Yankees 8, Indians 6

* Game 2: Indians 7, Yankees 5

* Game 3: Today 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