Rasner not tendered deal, to return to Yanks

Carson High graduate Darrell Rasner wasn't tendered a contract for the 2008 season by the New York Yankees, but the right-handed pitcher will re-sign with the Yankees.

Darrell Rasner Sr., Rasner's father, said his son will resign with the Yankees. By not tendering a 2008 contract to Rasner, the Yankees will be able to remove Rasner from their 40-man roster.

But Rasner will still be invited to the Yankees Spring Training with a chance to make the 2008 Major League roster. Rasner's father said his son will be given the chance to make the Big League club as a spot starter and long reliever.

The Yankees have a number of candidates to fill their starting rotation, so Rasner's beset chance to make the team will be as a spot starter and long reliever. The Yankees projected starting rotation is Andy Pettitte, which just resigned to a one-year deal with the club, Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. There's also pitchers like Ian Kennedy waiting in the wings and the potential the Yankees could go after another starter such as the Oakland Athletics' Dan Haren.

If Rasner doesn't make the opening day Major League roster, it's likely he'll begin the season in Triple A.

Rasner's father said that when the team informed his son they were not tendering him an offer and removing him from the 40-man roster, it planned to immediately resign him. Rasner's father said the team made him a fair offer.

The Yankees also didn't tender offers for 2008 to right-handed pitchers T.J. Beam and Matt DeSalvo. By not making offers to Beam, DeSalvo and Rasner, the Yankees cleared room on the 40-man roster for Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera and LaTroy Hawkins. The Yankees are in the process of reaching deals with all three.

Rasner could have been hurt by the decision by Carl Pavano not to accept a minor league contract from the Yankees. By not accepting the minor league contract, Pavano stays on the 40-man roster. If he had accepted the minor league contract, Rasner could have received Pavano's roster spot.

Last season, Rasner went 1-3 with a 4.01 earned run average with the Yankees before he broke his finger in May, which effective ended his season.