Yankees' Soriano could pitch rehab games next week

TORONTO -- If Rafael Soriano's third batting practice session goes well today in Tampa, the Yankees right-handed reliever will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday by pitching in a minor league game.

From there, the Yankees likely will ask Soriano to work back-to-back days -- possibly Thursday and Friday -- before activating him from the disabled list.

"We would like to see him do that," Joe Girardi said before the Yankees' 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays last night. "We will see. Sometimes you do things based on need."

MR. 3,000

BOX SCORE

BUSHES ON JIMENEZ DEAL

Soriano has been shelved since May 14 because of right elbow inflammation. But because David Robertson has pitched very well in eighth innings since Joba Chamberlain and Soriano went down, there isn't a need for Soriano to return as Mariano Rivera's setup man.

Nevertheless, a healthy Soriano would add depth to a bullpen that currently houses Sergio Mitre and Boone Logan.

*

Catcher Russell Martin and Girardi said they don't believe the Blue Jays were cheating Thursday night when runners on second seemed to be telling their hitters what was coming with head signals.

"It's studying your approach," said Girardi, who spent his entire 15-year career as a catcher. "To me, it's not cheating."

"It's part of the game," said Martin, who added he was annoyed at himself for not noticing it earlier than the fourth inning, when he switched up his signs to reliever Hector Noesi while Jose Bautista was on second base and Aaron Hill was up. Hill ended up striking out swinging.

Some pitchers will throw at a hitter to punish the sign stealer, but Martin said he doesn't agree with that approach.

The Blue Jays have a reputation around the AL as a team that helps its hitters a lot.

"Some teams are better than others," said Martin, who admitted to helping swipe signs from the opposing dugout in college.

Asked if he noticed the Jays' runners passing information to hitters, Girardi said: "I am not going to comment on that. We pay attention to it."

Blue Jays manager John Farrell, a former pitcher, claimed to be "unaware" of his team possibly stealing signs.

*

The Yankees didn't have to face Bautista, the major league home run leader, in last night's loss because he was out after twisting his right ankle during Thursday's game. And it's highly likely Bautista won't play today or tomorrow.

Bautista, has 31 homers, is second in average (.336) and tied for fifth in RBIs (65).

*

After watching a tape of Bartolo Colon's outing Thursday night, Girardi said he didn't see anything abnormal with the pitcher's left hamstring. Colon, who was chased in the first inning, said afterward he was "nervous" about running on his left leg.

"He has to get it out of his head. He tells me he isn't feeling anything," said Girardi, who announced Colon as his starter Tuesday against the Rays. "If he isn't feeling anything, he has to go out and pitch."

Colon, who was on the DL from June 12 to July 1, hasn't pitched well in his last two outings.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press