7/20 14:38: Brian Cashman tells Jim Bowden of XM 175 that he doesn’t think the Yankees will be aggressive in the starting market. Cliff Lee was an exception.

The Yankee’s priority will bullpen more than the bench, but an acquisition of the bench is more likely due to player cost.

7/20 01:32: Despite a groin injury to starting pitcher Andy Pettitte, that will keep him out of the rotation for 4-5 weeks, the New York Yankees will not pursue a starting pitcher. Rather, the team will continue to focus in on improving their bench and possibly their bullpen.

“I’m not looking for starting pitching,” GM Brian Cashman said. “I don’t feel compelled. This is why we have Sergio Mitre.”

Mitre will come off the disabled list and will start on Saturday versus the Kansas City Royals in Pettite’s place.

If Cashman wanted to add another starter, Brian Costello of the New York Post says the price is too high for pitchers such as Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren. Mitre is more appealing to the Yankees because he’s already within the organization and won’t cost the team prospects or additional money.

“Mitre’s role was long man and spot starter, and now we need a spot starter,” Cashman said.

“You get a guy like Mitre and he gets hot and you can ride him for those six starts,” former Blue Jays GM and ESPN analyst J.P. Ricciardi said. “I’m sure the Yankees are out looking at every possible thing they can. The one great thing about the Yankees is they don’t have to worry about the price for the most part.

“So I’m sure they’re looking at every possible starting pitcher that will be available. They’re doing their due diligence. I think Cash will probably, and this is just an educated guess on my part, he’ll ride whatever he’s got in-house.”

Costello adds that the Yankees could be looking at Blue Jays’ Kevin Gregg and Scott Downs along with Royals’ reliever Joakim Soria, but the price is too high right now.