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Yankees turn to one of their two healthy starters

Apr 18, 2007 - 1:14 PM Cleveland (6-4) at NY Yankees (6-6) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees are down to just two starters from their 2007 rotation. Kei Igawa is one of the two that has managed to stay healthy.

The Japanese lefthander starts on Wednesday when the Yankees host the Cleveland Indians.

Three other starters - Chien Ming-Wang, Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano - are on the disabled list. Igawa and Andy Pettitte are the only ones that have made each start to this point.

Igawa (0-0, 7.84 ERA) got roughed up in his major league debut, yielding seven runs in five innings, but surrendered just two earned runs and three hits last Friday at Oakland.

The Yankees signed the former Japanese League star to a four-year deal in the offseason after posting $20 million for the right to negotiate.

The Indians counter with Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 2.08). One of the most highly touted prospects in Cleveland's system in 2006, Sowers picked up seven wins in 14 starts after being called up from the minors last year.

The 23-year-old lefthander has dominated so far this season, allowing just three runs in 13 innings.

The Yankees posted a 10-3 victory in the series opener Tuesday, scoring eight runs off Indians starter Jake Westbrook in just 1 2/3 innings.