Pavano's Injury Worsens

Carl Pavano tried to throw a bullpen session Wednesday but stopped after a few minutes because of his strained elbow.

"It's getting ridiculous," said Pavano, who missed nearly two years with other injuries before making two starts this season. "The team needs me, especially with other guys going down. Rest hasn't helped it. We came up with a plan we thought would work, but we've come up short."

Tommy John surgery is a strong possibility for Pavano, who plans to see Dr. James Andrews in Alabama.

"We're discouraged," Cashman said. "We hope [there's no surgery], but we can't rule it out."

If he has the ligament transplant, Pavano would be out through most of next season, the last year of his $39.95 million contract. Coming off nearly four years of not pitching, a 2009 comeback would be a long shot, so the righthander from Southington is considering the option of surgery carefully.

"It's a lot harder not to pitch than to pitch," Torre said. "I don't think he's enjoyed what's gone on the last two years."

Pavano, who made 17 starts in 2005, has had shoulder and back problems, bone chips removed from his elbow and broken ribs and a spleen injury sustained in an auto accident last August. He made it through spring training this year and started on Opening Day, getting no decision. He pitched seven innings and beat the Twins in Minnesota on April 9 but strained his elbow and has not pitched since.

"It's frustrating for everybody," he said. ... Wang threw his bullpen session and reported no ill effects from the cracked nail on the middle finger of his pitching hand. He is scheduled to start against Seattle Saturday at Yankee Stadium. ... The Yankees have to call up another pitcher to replace Hughes on Sunday and are leaning toward lefthander Matt DeSalvo from Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA. They'll need a starter Monday, too, because of the rainout. Look for Darrell Rasner to return from Triple A. ... Alex Rodriguez was named AL player of the month for April.