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Still, Torre said, he is not considering Karstens for a spot in the rotation.
“It’s still Igawa and it’s still Pavano for me,” Torre said. “Karstens is certainly shooting for a spot on the ballclub.”
Torre said Karstens could make the major league team as a long reliever, but he might be better suited to get regular work as a starter at Class AAA Scranton.
Igawa started his third game last night against the Braves at Legends Field and was good and bad. But beyond the numbers, it's apparent the 27-year-old lefty can't survive in the AL if he throws an 88- to 90-mph fastball up in the zone as he has in all three starts. Nor can he pitch from behind as he did last night, when he worked in and out of trouble to post three scoreless innings in a 3-2 win. Igawa allowed one hit, walked four and fanned five. He needed 62 pitches to get nine outs. In seven spring innings, he has given up eight hits, seven walks and fanned 12
What would happen to Igawa if he is bumped from the rotation? He could land in long relief, although at $46 million that would be an embarrassment for him and the Yankees. A trip to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) is an option, and one in which Igawa would remain a starter.

In order to get Andy Phillips at-bats, Torre played the first baseman at third yesterday. Phillips broke into baseball as a shortstop and has played all four infield positions. The ability to move around the infield could give Phillips the nod over Josh Phelps when Torre decides between the two to back up Doug Mientkiewcz at first.
"He gives you a little more versatility than Josh Phelps does, although [Phelps] can catch," Torre said of Phillips, who has nine at-bats to Phelps' 20 because he missed time to be with his mother after a auto accident in Alabama.

Backup catching candidate Wil Nieves will be ready to resume playing by the middle of next week according to Torre. Nieves has been out a week with a right elbow problem.

Chien-Ming Wang and Robinson Cano will avoid having their contracts renewed by signing the one-year deals sent to them last week.
Even though the Yankees certainly have the financial means to extend Chien-Ming Wang and Robinson Cano long-term deals, the club stayed with their policy of not doing that and sent the pair one-year contracts.
Wang will make a little over $500,000 and Cano slightly under that mark.

The Yankees made three cuts prior to last night's game, sending stud pitching prospect Phil Hughes out. Also reassigned to minor league camp where hurlers Ross Ohlendorf and Matt DeSalvo.

Bench coach Don Mattingly had to leave the team after learning about the death of his father, William.