Pavano likely opening-day starter for N.Y.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Carl Pavano would be honored to start on opening day for the New York Yankees. More importantly, he is just excited to be pitching again.
Pavano is considered the front-runner to face Tampa Bay April 2 at Yankee Stadium. Unlike the other candidates for the assignment, Kei Igawa and Jeff Karstens, Pavano would not require significant changes in his pitching schedule to be ready.
"Obviously, it's exciting. It's opening day," Pavano said Sunday. "The fans have been waiting since the end of '06 for the start of '07, and so have we."
Karstens' bid might have ended when he left after two innings Sunday against Detroit with right elbow stiffness. He allowed six runs and six hits before departing.
"Anytime you have a problem, it worries you a little bit," Karstens said. "I never really got loose. If I'm not 100 percent healthy, I can't really help them anyway."
Pavano hasn't pitched in the majors since June 2005 due to a variety of injuries. The chance to make his return on opening day came about after Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte were both hurt last week.
"Unfortunately, some of the best pitchers on our staff are now injured," Pavano said. "With the turn in events, if I get the opportunity, it's my time to pick up some slack. I'm glad that I'm able to be there to do that."
Pavano will make his final spring training start Tuesday against Minnesota. That lines up him for the Devil Rays game with just one extra day of rest.
"I've liked what I've seen from him," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Not only stuff on the mound, but his whole demeanor. I think it would be a progression if he was the one. I don't think it would make any kind of statement other than we're comfortable where he is."
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