During a 30-minute news conference at Yankee Stadium yesterday to promote their relationships in China, the Yankees announced that they would sponsor a summer camp run by the Chinese Baseball Association, donate a video batting machine to the league and continue their grass-roots and marketing efforts.

The Yankees also formally introduced the two players, the left-handed pitcher Kai Liu and catcher Zhenwang Zhang.

“As the Boss always says, we will search the far corners of the globe if there’s a great player there,” said Randy Levine, the president of the Yankees, referring to the team’s principal owner, George Steinbrenner.

General Manager Brian Cashman said Liu had an 84-mile-an-hour fastball and spin on his breaking ball. He said Zhang was known for his defensive abilities. The players, both 19, are the first Chinese players to sign with a major league team with the approval of the Chinese Baseball Association.

Liu and Zhang are awaiting their United States work visas. Jun Lei, the chairman of the Chinese Baseball Association, said the players would be available to the Yankees in late August, after they participate in a pre-Olympic tournament.

Levine said they would be evaluated at the team’s complex in Tampa, Fla., then enter the Yankees’ feeder system. Cashman said it was impossible to predict the trajectory of their baseball careers.

“I see this endeavor hopefully to be successful in one of two ways,” Cashman said. “For these players to eventually become Major League Baseball players here in the United States and be successful at it. Or they will learn a great deal about this game and be able to share that and return to China and assist in growing the game.”

The summer camp will be in Wuxi, a city in the province of Jiangsu. The batting machine, Cashman said, is used by major league players at Yankee Stadium and can simulate a variety of pitches and speeds.

The Yankees also said they hoped their sponsorship opportunities in China would continue to grow. They have already signed a deal with the Yili Group, China’s largest dairy company.

DAMON GETS START IN LEFT Johnny Damon started in left field yesterday for the first time since June 22, 2001, when he played for the Oakland Athletics.

Manager Joe Torre gave Hideki Matsui a break last night, using him as the designated hitter. Melky Cabrera started in center field instead of Damon because he has a stronger arm than Damon, Torre said.

“I think Johnny is going to be our D.H. most of the time,” Torre said before yesterday’s game. “And when he plays the outfield, you may see him play left field, you may see him play right field. Just so we can maybe spell these guys.”

Damon began the season in center field, where he has started 38 games this season. He has battled a variety of injuries, including strained calves, although he has never spent time on the disabled list during his 13-year major league career.

“Hopefully, Melky can cover me as much as possible,” said Damon, who cut his hair short before Thursday’s game because he said he had tired of his hairstyle.

IGAWA STILL IN THE MIX One day after Kei Igawa allowed five runs and seven hits against the Minnesota Twins, Joe Torre indicated that he would not be headed to the minors.

“He’ll start when we come back from the break,” Torre said before yesterday’s game. “He’ll be at the end of the line.”

Igawa, a left-hander, has made three starts since being recalled from the minors on June 22. His outing Thursday was his worst of the three. Torre said Igawa needed to focus on his location.

“He just needs to get some work as far as throwing on the side,” Torre said. “Just trying to find command. I think that’s the whole thing: command, command, command. His ability and the number of pitches he has are all big-league. He just needs to locate them on a regular basis.”