PHOENIX – With the New York Yankees in town, Randy Johnson addressed the persistent speculation that he might find himself wearing pinstripes in the Big Apple.

He didn’t shut the door on the possibility he might someday accept a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who insist they have no intention of dealing him to New York – or anywhere else.

“Right now, I’ve not been approached by either team,” Johnson said before Tuesday night’s series opener between the two teams that met in the 2001 World Series. “It’s kind of pointless. It’s almost the same question being asked in spring training? “How many more years am I going to play?’

“How can I address a question like that that’s something down the road?”

Later, in the clubhouse, Johnson said he’d thought of a one-liner he wished he’d have used.

“I should have said, “Yeah, but the clam chowder is better in Boston,”‘ said Johnson, who won’t pitch in the three-game series against the Yankees.

Diamondbacks officials repeatedly have said they would have no interest in trading Johnson. If that’s the case, the only way it could happen is if Johnson wants to leave Arizona to pitch with the mighty club he helped defeat in 2001.

“Randy has been a great pitcher for a few organizations in his career, but it’s hard for me to picture him in any other uniform than a D-Back,” Brenly said.

Yankees’ Brown put on 15-day DL

PHOENIX – Pitcher Kevin Brown was put on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees on Tuesday because of a strained lower back.

The move was made retroactive to June 10, a day after Brown was forced to leave a start against Colorado after two innings. Outfielder Bubba Crosby was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.

Sheffield moves into starting spot in outfield

NEW YORK – Yankees’ right fielder Gary Sheffield moved into third place among American League outfielders in fan voting for next month’s All-Star game in Houston.

Sheffield (693,248) moved past Boston’s Johnny Damon (614,205) and into a possible starting spot in totals released Tuesday by the commissioner’s office.

Beckett to return from DL Thursday

MIAMI – Florida ace Josh Beckett, on the 15-day disabled list because of a blister on the middle finger of his right hand, will start Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox.

The World Series MVP was placed on the DL on May 31 after lasting just 2 2-3 innings against the New York Mets.