The Bronx Stop: A Yankees Blog

Ed Price/Newsday.com:

Jeff Karstens, on the DL because of a spring-training groin strain, will pitch tomorrow for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He had been scheduled for Class A Tampa.

Karstens likely needs two more outings before he is ready to come off the DL. The Yankees could then option him or keep him as a long reliever or spot starter.

Karsten's has had a rough go at getting his chance to prove that he can pitch in New York.

Karstens, a 24-year-old rookie, was making his second start of the season for New York after missing the Opening Day roster due to right elbow tendinitis. His first pitch was a fastball to Red Sox leadoff hitter Julio Lugo, who ripped a line drive off the hurler's right leg, sending Karstens into a pained crumple on the mound.

"You start the season on the DL, and come back, they give you another shot to pitch, and the first pitch of the game the guy hits a line drive off my leg," Karstens said. "It's a long season though, so I've got to come back and come back strong."

We also have to remember that Karstens pitched really well for the Olympic squad over the winter.

Team USA beat Korea 3-1 today in the quaterfinals of the World Cup in Taiwan and the hero was Jeff Karstens.

He allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. He struck out seven without a walk and threw 66 of his 82 pitches for strikes. He was 2-0 in the tournament.

Team USA plays the Netherlands in the semifinals. Cuba and Japan play in the other semifinal.