Yankees send struggling pitcher Ian Kennedy to minors

5/4/2008 5:23 PM

By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -Struggling pitcher Ian Kennedy was sent to the minor leagues Sunday by the New York Yankees, who purchased Darrell Rasner's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees promised patience with their young pitchers this season, but Kennedy was optioned to Triple-A after going 0-2 with an 8.37 ERA in six games, including five starts.

``I was kind of surprised,'' Kennedy said. ``But it's bound to happen if you don't win, especially here.''

The 23-year-old right-hander lasted 4 2-3 innings in his most recent outing Thursday night against Detroit and got little help from his defense while squandering a 3-0 lead. He was expected to fill a slot at the back of New York's rotation this year and acknowledged he was disappointed about being demoted.

``I just feel like I was making progress,'' said Kennedy, who went 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts for the Yankees late last season. ``I know that I don't have as much confidence as I had last September.''

Kennedy also knows he needs to throw more strikes, but said the scrutiny in New York has been tough.

``Analyzing every pitch doesn't help,'' he said. ``You're on a bigger scale here.''

The move opened a roster spot for Rasner, who started Sunday's series finale against the Seattle Mariners in place of injured Phil Hughes. The 27-year-old Rasner allowed two runs and five hits in six innings of an 8-2 victory, with four strikeouts and no walks.

The Yankees plan to give Rasner, 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA in five outings at Triple-A, another start Friday or Saturday in Detroit. Kei Igawa could be called up from Triple-A to pitch in that series as well.

``That's the way we're leaning right now,'' general manager Brian Cashman said.

Igawa is 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A after beating Durham on Sunday. He has struck out 40 and walked 12.

The Yankees spent $46 million to bring him over from Japan before last season and the left-hander finished a disappointing 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA in 14 games, including 12 starts.

To make room for Rasner on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred reliever Brian Bruney (right foot) from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.

As for Kennedy, he hopes to be back in the big leagues soon.

``I'm early in this business. I guess this is normal,'' he said. ``I think it's just one of those humps that every player goes through.''

Kennedy has walked 20 and struck out 16 while allowing 28 hits in 23 2-3 innings this season. The Yankees said the length of his stay in the minors will simply depend on how well he pitches.

``To me, this is just a little detour in his career,'' manager Joe Girardi said. ``He just needs to iron out some things.''