Yankees Send Irabu to Bullpen

Hideki Irabu was removed from the Yankees’ pitching rotation a day after owner George Steinbrenner blasted the pitcher following a loss to Philadelphia.

“With Irabu, we’ve been searching for the consistency that will eventually be there because his stuff is there,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “He really hasn’t caught up with the rest of our starters.”

Irabu gave up five runs and nine hits in three-plus innings in Monday’s 5-1 loss. He is 4-3 with a team-high 7.68 ERA in eight starts, allowing 33 earned runs, 55 hits and 12 home runs in 38 2/3 innings.

“I’ve got about seven dozen Hideki Irabu T-shirts I am giving to the Little Sisters of the Blind,” Steinbrenner was quoted as saying in Tuesday’s editions of The New York Post. “I wasn’t impressed at all.”

Steinbrenner had a front-row seat for Monday’s series opener, and left soon after Irabu was pulled.

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A hand surgeon has confirmed a diagnosis of tendinitis in the middle finger of Seatle Mariner pitcher Randy Johnson’s left hand.

Johnson, who hasn’t pitched since Aug. 20, will miss his third consecutive start today and is doubtful for Monday, the Mariners said.

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Baltimore Oriole minor-league right-hander Mark Seaver was sent to the Oakland A’s as the player to be named in the June 27th trade which sent outfielder Geronimo Berroa to Baltimore for right-hander Jimmy Haynes.

Seaver, the Orioles’ fourth-round choice in the 1996 draft, was 3-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 11 games this season for Class-A Frederick.