ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Yankees pitcher David Wells and
center fielder Bernie Williams were scratched from New York's game Wednesday night game at Tampa Bay.
Wells has a stomach virus and was replaced by Jeff Weaver.
Williams has mild inflammation behind his left knee and will
likely miss a couple games.
Williams said he re-aggravated the injury on the artificial turf
at Tropicana Field on Tuesday.
"Nothing long-term,'' Yankees GM Brian Cashman said.
Manager Joe Torre said Williams will probably also sit out
Thursday's game against the Devil Rays, but might play Friday at
Detroit.
"It's something he could play with,'' Torre said. "It puffed up
a little bit.''
Shortstop Derek Jeter was in the lineup after being hit by a
pitch in the right wrist in Tuesday's game. He left in the seventh
inning.
"It's no problem at all,'' Jeter said. "It's no big deal.''
Outfielder Shane Spencer left Wednesday's game after
re-aggravating a left hamstring injury. He has missed 15 straight
games before returning Tuesday.
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera reported no problems one day after
throwing 31 pitches in batting practice Tuesday and should be able
to pitch this weekend when New York plays a three-game series
against the Tigers.
"If everything goes like this, definitely,'' Rivera said. "I'm
happy. I feel real good.''
Rivera, who has been sidelined by a strained shoulder, is to
throw in the bullpen Thursday.
"He's still smiling,'' Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre
said. "He's fine.''
The All-Star was put on the disabled list for the third time
this season on Aug. 19. Before this season, Rivera had been on the
DL only once.
"He seems to be really upbeat,'' Torre said. "Hopefully this
weekend, we'll get him into a game.''
Torre said Wells will pitch either late this week, or early next
week. Wells also experienced irritation in his left eye Tuesday,
but a team official said that problem has been resolved.