Yankees’ Brown Vows to Return

Kevin Brown underwent surgery on his broken left hand Sunday and promised to pitch again for the New York Yankees this season.

The right-hander is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks after breaking two bones in his non-pitching hand when he punched a wall in the Yankee clubhouse during Friday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, an act of frustration that could prove costly to the Yankees.

Two pins were placed in Brown’s hand at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York.

With a large bandage wrapped around his hand, he was back at Yankee Stadium answering questions from reporters before Sunday’s game against the Orioles.

A contrite Brown apologized to his teammates personally, and to the organization and Yankee fans for leaving the club short-handed in the middle of a tight pennant race.

“They all deserve one,” he said. “I made a mistake of letting my emotions take over. If there was any way in the world I could take it back, I would.... It’s my fault. I take the blame. I don’t expect anybody to understand.”

When asked what made him throw a left at the wall instead of a right, Brown said: “Years of experience.”

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The Boston Red Sox called up pitcher Pedro Astacio from triple-A Pawtucket, giving their bullpen another veteran right-hander.

Astacio, 34, has been rehabilitating from right shoulder surgery since June 2003.

He started Friday for Pawtucket and gave up one run on one hit.

Astacio has pitched 12 seasons in the majors as a starter for the Dodgers, Rockies, Astros and Mets. He is 118-109 with a 4.58 earned-run average in 346 appearances (303 starts).

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The San Diego Padres brought back right-hander Andy Ashby and plan to use him out of the bullpen. The Padres purchased his contract after he successfully rehabbed his right elbow from Tommy John surgery, performed Oct. 20. He last pitched in the majors for the Dodgers in 2003, going 3-10 with a 5.18 ERA.

The Padres signed him to a minor league contract on March 30. He hasn’t pitched at any level this season. He pitched for the Padres from 1993 to 1999, going 70-62 with a 3.60 ERA.