DeSalvo to make debut vs. M's as Yanks demote Igawa

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees shipped struggling pitcher Kei Igawa to the minors on Monday to make room on the roster for right-hander Matt DeSalvo.

Igawa was optioned to Class A Tampa, keeping right-hander Darrell Rasner in the big leagues after he pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings on Sunday in a victory over the Seattle Mariners. New York had planned to send Rasner right back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after his start, but changed course on Monday.

Rasner, 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA in four starts, is likely to get the ball again on Friday in Seattle.

The Yankees spent $46 million to bring Igawa over from Japan in the offseason and expected him to fill a spot at the back of their rotation. He has largely been a disappointment, going 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA in six games, including five starts. The 27-year-old left-hander has allowed eight homers and 14 walks in 30 2/3 innings.

DeSalvo was set to start Monday against the Mariners in his major league debut, making the injury-ravaged Yankees the first team in major league history to use 10 starting pitchers in its first 30 games.