Irabu’s Stock Is Up, Gooden’s Is Sinking

Hideki Irabu’s 11-strikeout performance for triple-A Columbus Wednesday night convinced the New York Yankees that he is ready to return, and the club plans to have him back in the rotation next week, possibly for a Friday start against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. But now it is Dwight Gooden who is under scrutiny.

Gooden has pitched no longer than five innings during his last four starts, and the Yankees will be watching him closely tonight as he faces the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. Kenny Rogers remains the odd man out, but Gooden’s streak of five-inning starts is raising concern.

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Outfielder Darnell McDonald, Baltimore’s first-round draft choice, will bypass the University of Texas and has tentatively agreed to terms on a contract that will pay him a signing bonus worth $1.9 million.