Igawa continues to improve

Kei Igawa's fastball doesn't push radar guns much past 90 mph and his change-up misbehaves at times. However, Igawa is a better pitcher leaving spring training than the one who arrived in February. "I got a lot better from the first week," the Yankees' fourth starter said after hurling six innings in a 3-3 tie yesterday at Legends Field against the Tigers. Igawa gave up three runs, six hits and didn't issue a walk.

Nobody is sure what the Yankees have in their $46-million investment. A dozen walks in 23 innings suggests he has trouble throwing strikes. However, 22 strikeouts are certainly impressive. "I was able to work on the change-up," said Igawa, who was honored as the Yankees' top rookie yesterday when he was named the winner of the prestigious James P. Dawson Award. "I still have to work on a couple of minor things [control of change and fastball]." Continue