Yankees’ Hiroki Kuroda returns to Los Angeles to face Dodgers, where his career began
If Kuroda is anxious about the start, he did a good job hiding it Tuesday. The pitcher seemed indifferent when discussing his return to Dodger Stadium
By Mark Feinsand / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, July 31, 2013, 12:48 AM
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Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News
Yankees’ Hiroki Kuroda hopes to bring his former team to its knees Wednesday.
LOS ANGELES — Dodger Stadium is foreign territory for the Yankees, who have visited this Southern California baseball haven only three times in the past 32 years.
For Hiroki Kuroda, it feels just like home.
The righthander pitched the first four seasons of his big-league career at Chavez Ravine after making the move from Japan, going 41-46 with a 3.45 ERA in 115 games with the Dodgers.
“I’m sure it’s exciting for him to be back,” Joe Girardi said of Kuroda, who starts Wednesday against his former team. “He had a lot of good years here, and I’m sure he has a lot of friends here. Hopefully he doesn’t take too much upon himself because he is back home. That’s always a concern of mine.”
If Kuroda is anxious about the start, he did a good job hiding it Tuesday. The pitcher seemed indifferent when discussing his return to Dodger Stadium, acting as though he was talking about any other start.
“At this moment, there’s nothing different I feel right now,” Kuroda said through his translator. “It doesn’t change my approach. As a Yankees player, you’re expected to have a good performance. All I’m concentrating on is that I contribute to a win for the team.”
LONE STAR TURN Girardi spent part of Monday’s off-day in Oxnard, Calif., at Cowboys training camp, taking in practice before sharing some inspirational words with the team.
Girardi’s visit shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett makes a stop at spring training every year.
“It was fun,” Girardi said. “We have a relationship with them. I went over there and it’s interesting to watch their practice. It was neat.”
THIRD OPTIONS Jayson Nix started at third Tuesday as he returned from the DL, but Girardi indicated that third base would be a day-by-day decision for him. Brent Lillibridge is in the mix, while Eduardo Nunez — who has been exclusively used at shortstop this season — could also become an option.
LONG SHOT The Yankees signed Jaron Long, son of hitting coach Kevin Long, to a contract for close to $100,000 this week. The younger Long went undrafted after three years at Ohio State . He is expected to start with Class-A Staten Island.
ALL IN THE FAMILY A son of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is going to play college basketball for Bob Knight’s son. Preston Mattingly has committed to Lamar University in Beaumont, Tex., where Pat Knight coaches the team. Mattingly, who turns 26 next month, spent six seasons in baseball’s minor leagues, but never advanced past Class A. — With The AP
SD Yankee Report 