Fernandez Has Good Debut With Yankees

Time passed quickly for Sid Fernandez.

“It doesn’t feel like I missed three years,” he said Monday after pitching a perfect fifth inning in the New York Yankees’ 10-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Tampa, Fla.

Fernandez was making his first game appearance since retiring in 1997. He is with the Yankees on a minor league contract, trying to win a spot as their fifth starter or as a reliever.

“I was a little nervous, but I calmed down once I got out there,” he said. “It felt good to be on the mound again. To me, it’s just like I’m settling into another spring training.”

Fernandez, who took over David Cone’s No. 36, received a loud ovation from the crowd of 10,228 at Legends Field. When he was with the New York Mets, he wore No. 50.

“The only thing that feels different is when he said ‘36,’ ” Fernandez said. “I was looking around for somebody else.”

Fernandez threw eight of 11 pitches for strikes. He retired Wes Helms on a fly to left, Rafael Furcal on a popup to first and Dave Martinez on a grounder to shortstop.

“Three up and three down. That’s a good first step,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “I’m sure when you’re away from the game two, three years, then you come back, it’s like an out-of-body experience. You’re not sure it’s real.”

Fernandez last pitched in 1997 for the Houston Astros, appearing in one game before retiring because of pain near his left elbow, which he says was caused by a nerve problem in his neck.

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If Albert Belle is unable to play again because of his injured hip, the Baltimore Orioles will still owe him $39 million.

Belle, 34, has three seasons left on a $65-million, five-year contract. He will receive the remaining $39 million whether he plays or not. The Orioles have an insurance policy that will cover 70% of that amount, the Washington Post and the Baltimore Sun reported Monday.

Meanwhile, Belle sat out another game Monday.

“Obviously there comes a point in time that common sense says you have to do something,” Oriole Manager Mike Hargrove said. “But we haven’t set a certain date when we’ll make a decision one way or another.”

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Jeremy Giambi agreed to a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. The deal brings every player on Oakland’s 40-man roster under contract. . . . Left-handed reliever Scott Sauerbeck, sought by several teams in off-season trade talks, agreed to a $2.4-million, three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. . . . Kevin Stocker’s career with the New York Mets ended before it began. The infielder, who played for the Angels last season, retired Monday, two days after agreeing to a minor league contract with New York.