Irabu Has Yankees on Pins and Needles

Hideki Irabu has a lot riding on his final spring start. His teammates’ confidence may be at stake.

The New York Yankee right-hander, coming off his third consecutive lackluster outing against major leaguers Saturday, has team officials placing greater emphasis on his expected start Thursday against Cleveland.

“A bad outing would create doubt--not for me--but the team,” Yankee pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. “No question they’re a demanding bunch. Hopefully we will see a big turnaround. Hopefully it’s just a one-day setback.”

The Yankees are more concerned about Irabu’s apparent lack of concentration than the six runs and 13 hits he gave up in five innings in an 11-10 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. In that game, Irabu failed to cover first base on an infield grounder and had three runners steal second uncontested.

“I’m not happy, but I’m not ready to give up on him,” Yankee owner George Steinbrenner said. “If the manager or general manager can’t get the point across, I know who will.”

Irabu has allowed 14 runs and 24 hits in 15 2/3 innings. If he continues to falter, the Yankees could turn to spot starter Ramiro Mendoza.

*

Denny Neagle didn’t consider it a setback. The results indicated it wasn’t much of a step forward.

Neagle pitched four innings against Cincinnati minor leaguers Sunday at Sarasota, Fla., and struggled with just about everything. He gave up four homers, his fastball topped out at 84 mph and he once again had trouble with his control.

Neagle is on the 15-day disabled list and is hoping to return in mid-April. With every errant pitch Sunday, it became obvious he’s not even close to form.

“It wasn’t a major step back,” pitching coach Don Gullett said. “Overall, his command and his velocity weren’t as good as last time.”

Neagle had a different opinion of his outing. “Velocity is not something I worry about,” Neagle said. “When I feel like my arm is getting all the way back to where I want it to be where I can start cutting loose a little more, I’ll do it at that point. Now it’s a matter of getting the pitches in, getting the arm strength up.”

*

Jose Rijo showed up at the Cincinnati training camp Sunday, played a little catch and came as close as he ever has to saying he’ll never pitch again.

Rijo has changed his mind from a month ago, when he hoped to resume his comeback from elbow surgery by getting another minor league contract. Instead, he’s going to devote his time to running his new baseball academy, set to open in the Dominican Republic next month.

Asked if he’s retired as a player, Rijo said, “Almost. Semi.”

Rijo, 33, was the MVP of the Reds’ 1990 World Series sweep of Oakland but has not pitched in a regular-season game since the first of four major elbow operations in 1995.

He said Sunday he wants to work out on his own in the Dominican while overseeing construction of his complex. His “Hill of Dream” complex is expected to open next month in his hometown of San Cristobal.