INSIDE BASEBALL
The Yankees have no idea what to do with Chien-Ming Wang, who carried big expectations into the season but has been abysmal. They skipped him the last time through, allowing him a chance to give up five runs in seven innings against the Phillies’ team in extended spring training. He should go back into the rotation this week. . . . The Mets’ rotation behind Johan Santana has been a nightmare. There’s talk about Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez being shipped to the minors, although the only way they can demote Perez is with his blessing. . . . So far it doesn’t appear that Ken Griffey Jr.’s downturn was due mainly to the bad knee he repaired over the winter. He’s giving the Mariners exactly what he did the White Sox -- a great clubhouse presence but only occasionally hard-hit balls. . . . New Yorkers are salivating over the prospect of having Matt Holliday in the Yankees’ lineup next season. But can even these guys afford to have Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter and Holliday in the same lineup? The Red Sox are a better fit. . . . The Angels can’t catch a break. Darren Oliver, forced into the starting rotation after Nick Adenhart’s death, became their sixth pitcher on the disabled list. Vladimir Guerrero is expected to be out at least three more weeks, giving surprising Seattle a chance to put some distance on the perennial division winners. . . . Joel Pineiro is the latest pitcher to sing Dave Duncan’s praise. The Cardinals’ No. 5 starter is off to a great start, which he credits to Duncan insisting that he trust his hard sinker. . . . Can you believe the Dodgers almost let Manny Ramirez get away? Their 6-0 start at home was the franchise’s best home start since 1947, when they played at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. They entered the weekend having won 29 of their last 38 at home dating to the run Ramirez took them on last season.
The last word: “We can’t worry about it, complain about it or cry about it. Get your mind right, execute your pitches, that’s all you can do.”
--Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland on the hitter-friendly conditions at the new Yankee Stadium, where 26 home runs were hit in the first six games.
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