Carl Pavano Gets the Ball on Opening Day

Carl Pavano is pumped. Not only because he has been considered for the New York Yankees' Opening Day starter, but that he's actually pitching, at all.

Due to a variety of injuries, Pavano has made only 17 starts in the first two years of his four-year, $39.95 million contract with the Yankees. He hasn't pitched in the big leagues since June of 2005, forcing Bronx Bomber fans to question his desire and elasticity. In fact, they'd rather see anyone but Pavano pitch Opening Day, although he's had a good spring thus far.

With Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte both hurt last week, Pavano has the chance to make his glorious, long-awaited return on Opening Day. He is scheduled to make his final spring training start Tuesday against Minnesota, which sets him up for the Devil Rays game with an extra day of rest.

Teammate Jason Giambi knows what it's like to have to pick yourself up and dust off...

I hope he embraces it. This is a chance for him to stand up front and just show everyone the kind of pitcher he is. I'm excited for him, and I hope he's excited about it if he gets that opportunity. This is a big chance for him.

There's a sliver of a chance that Pettitte could pitch the opener, but he has been out for a week with back spasms, penciled in for a bullpen session Monday. He says he's feeling better, but manager Joe Torre doesn't expect him to pitch until Friday, leaving him not exactly enough time between starts to pitch the Opener.

Wang, who will the start the season on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, made 70 throws in the outfield - some from about 120 feet. Last year's 19-game winner is expected to be out until at least late April.

[Newsday] | [River Ave. Blues]