Lieber, trying to fill hole in Yankees rotation, begins workouts

TAMPA, Fla. -- The New York Yankees lost three starting pitchers during the offseason. Jon Lieber is ready to fill one of the holes.

Lieber threw 50 pitches in the bullpen Thursday during his first early spring training workout at the Yankees minor-league complex. He started throwing off a mound last month.

"I feel probably as good as I've felt in two or three years," Lieber said. "My main goal is to be completely healthy this year and really contribute to this team."

The right-hander did not pitch in the majors last season after reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2002.

Lieber has "no doubt" he will be ready for the start of the regular season on March 30. He spent last season rehabbing in Florida and started three minor-league games in August.

"It was very important," Lieber said. "Facing some hitters for the first time, that eliminated any doubt in my mind. I jumped over that hurdle I think and will be a little bit more comfortable when a hitter steps into the box."

An NL All-Star in 2001, Lieber went 20-6 for the Cubs. The Yankees signed the 33-year old to a $3.5 million, two-year contract in January 2003.

Two starters from last year's AL championship team -- Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte -- signed with Houston and David Wells joined San Diego.

"You hate to lose guys like that," Lieber said. "Unfortunately those things happen in this game. Roger, Andy and David Wells. That's three big holes to fill."

New York's rebuilt rotation includes Mike Mussina, Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez and Jose Contreras. Brown and Vazquez were acquired in offseason trades.

Notes

• Reliever Steve Karsay (right shoulder) threw 35 pitches during his sixth bullpen session over the past three weeks. The right-hander, who did not pitch last season, plans to increase the pitch count to 40 next week. The week after that, he is scheduled to throw breaking balls for the first since surgery last May.
• Other players taking part in workouts at the Yankees' facility in Florida include right-hander Tom Gordon, shortstop Derek Jeter and outfielder Gary Sheffield.

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