Despite his struggles on Thursday, Darrell Rasner's chances of making the New York Yankees' postseason roster has increased with the uncertain status of Randy Johnson.
It was discovered that Johnson has a herniated disc. Johnson is scheduled to start game three in the American League Division Series.
Yankees' manager Joe Torre will carry 11 pitchers on his postseason roster, making room for an extra reliever. It's expected that either Jaret Wright or Cory Lidle will be the Yankees' fourth starter for the postseason with the other filling the long reliever's role.
But if Johnson can't go, then it's likely both Wright and Lidle will be in the starting rotation. The long reliever's role would then go to either Rasner, a 1999 Carson High graduate, or Jeff Karstens. Torry has until 7 a.m. Tuesday to name his ALDS roster.
Rasner (3-1) allowed five runs in 2.1 innings on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles, raising his earned run average from 2.50 to 4.33.