Irabu Goes Rodman on Cameraman

Hideki Irabu lost control again Saturday, and this time it was off the field. Irabu, who has had strained relations with Japanese media since joining the Yankees last year, allegedly grabbed a television camera and stomped on a cameraman’s foot after pitching four scoreless innings against Detroit.

Irabu asked freelance Tokyo Broadcasting System cameraman Keiichiro Hoashi to stop videotaping him during what the pitcher apparently thought was an off-the-record session. Hoashi continued taping, and the situation became heated when Irabu demanded the tape.

“He stomped on my foot,” Hoashi said. “I also thought he was going to pull the camera down, so I gave him the tape. I think he’s dangerous.”

Meanwhile, after announcing that the Yankees had agreed to a four-year, $6.6-million contract with Cuban defector Orlando Hernandez, owner George Steinbrenner admitted he rushed Irabu to the major leagues last season.

“I don’t want to make another mistake like I did last year with Hideki Irabu,” Steinbrenner said. “Irabu was my mistake. This time we’re going to take it slower. I think Hernandez will start at [triple-A] Columbus.”

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Chad Ogea, the pitcher who won two World Series games for the Cleveland Indians last season, is expected to be sidelined for six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. . . . Mark Davis, 37, the National League’s 1989 Cy Young Award winner, ended his comeback attempt with the Arizona Diamondbacks and announced his retirement. . . . Philadelphia’s Curt Schilling gave up three hits in five scoreless innings as the Phillies beat a Cincinnati Reds split squad, 9-1. . . . Francisco Cordova will start for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their April 1 opener against Montreal.