Pavano forced from rehab start

NEW YORK -- Carl Pavano's comeback to the Yankees may be put on hold.

Pavano, making his third rehab start on Wednesday, the second for Double-A Trenton, left the game after just one inning with tightness in his right triceps area.

The right-hander will be evaluated by Yankees team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

This marks the second consecutive start in which Pavano has left early. Last Friday, he was removed after 63 pitches, despite being scheduled to throw 85-90. He cited soreness in his bicep, but likened it to what pitchers generally go through during Spring Training.

Pavano did not allow a hit, striking out one batter in his one inning on Wednesday, but he did not return for the second inning. He had been scheduled to throw 80-90 pitches.

Pavano did not speak with the media after leaving the game, but Rich Monteleone, the team's special pitching instructor, told reporters that this soreness was worse than what Pavano had experienced last Friday.

The Yankees had hoped that Pavano would make one more start after Wednesday's outing, then be ready to rejoin the team. He has not pitched for the Yankees since June 28, missing the entire second half of the 2005 season with rotator cuff tendinitis.