Brackman getting chance to prove himself

Andrew Brackman said he was "surprised" at getting called up.

For general manager Brian Cashman, it came down to a simple proposition: The Yankees need to find out what they have in a once-heralded pitching prospect, one who may be running out of time.

"We've got to make decisions on him," Cashman said Tuesday night outside the clubhouse. "Obviously we have a decision to make on him so we might as well see for ourselves."

The 6-10 righthander, the Yankees' first-round pick (30th overall) in 2007 who received a $3.35-million signing bonus, turns 26 this December. After a promising 2010, which followed an awful 2009, Brackman struggled much of this season, finally finishing strongly after being moved to the bullpen.

"He had a terrible season as a starter," Cashman said. "He's been much better as a reliever but, again, we have a decision to make so we might as well bring him up here. We're just going to throw him out there and see what we see . . . We need to evaluate him."

Brackman, a two-sport athlete (basketball and baseball) at North Carolina State, was one of five new players in the clubhouse Tuesday. Righthander Hector Noesi and outfielder Greg Golson were recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and righthander George Kontos was signed to a major-league contract and added to the 40-man roster. Infielder Ramiro Peña was reinstated from the disabled list (appendectomy) and, to make room for him on the 40-man, righthander Lance Pendleton was designated for assignment.

Brackman went 2-12 with a 5.91 ERA in 19 starts with Class-A Charleston in 2009, leading the South Atlantic League in walks (76) and wild pitches (26).

But after a rough start last season with Class-A Tampa, Brackman went 5-7 with a 3.01 ERA after a promotion to Double-A Trenton. He seemed poised to take a major step this season, even getting some mentions as a long shot candidate in this spring's fourth- and fifth-starter competition, but was derailed by a groin injury early in the spring. Still, hopes were high when he was assigned to Triple-A Scranton.

But after going 2-5 with a 6.52 ERA in 13 starts he was sent to the bullpen.

"I couldn't even hit a guy in the chest when I played catch," Brackman said. "That's how bad it got."

One start in Durham, N.C., in front of a handful of friends, was so bad Brackman contemplated quitting, which was also the case two years before during the nadir of that rookie season. He recalled talking to his father, saying he didn't want to get on the bus and discussed possible "Plan Bs" after baseball.

"He yelled at me and told me to get on the bus," Brackman said.

After a mechanical adjustment -- he moved his hands up a bit -- things got better. In his last eight relief appearances Brackman allowed two runs, none in his last six games.

"Since I've started throwing the ball a whole lot better I've gained my confidence back," Brackman said. "Each time out of the bullpen I've gotten better. I've felt relaxed on the mound. I feel good about it now."