Yanks tracking cause of parasites

NEW YORK -- The injury bug that hit the New York Yankees is affecting Jason Giambi's wife, too.

Kristian Giambi has been diagnosed with intestinal parasites, just as her husband and Yankees pitcher Kevin Brown were in the last week.

The cause of the ailments remained uncertain Friday as the Yankees prepared to play the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Giambi said he and Brown have compared notes.

"We were racking our brains. We don't eat dinner together," Giambi said. "Brownie doesn't live in the city. There is nothing exotic that I eat at the ballpark."

Brown said he thought he might have gotten the illness in Japan when the Yankees opened the season there.

Team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon said the only way to get the disease was through the consumption of food or water, and that parasites were rarely found in developed countries.

Hershon spoke to the team Thursday night, telling players there was no epidemic and there was no need to be tested.

"It can be a concern, I guess," Yankees reliever Tom Gordon said. "I think anything these days is a concern. Hopefully, it won't affect three or four or five guys."

Trainer Gene Monahan has been checking with the players to see if they're feeling any symptoms.

Giambi and Brown both have been feeling weak for a few weeks, and have been taking antibiotics. Giambi played for the first time in five games Thursday night, and struck out as a pinch hitter in a 13- inning, 5-4 win over Boston.

"It looked like he was having trouble identifying the pitch that moved," manager Joe Torre said.

Giambi said the medicine has helped.

"A little bit better today. I'm still a little ways away," he said. "The doctor said, 'It took you a month to get this way. It'll take a while to get better. One of these days, you'll wake up and feel better."'

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