CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Dwight Gooden might be ready for another major league comeback.

Gooden had his second consecutive strong outing Monday, throwing five shutout innings for the New York Yankees' Gulf Coast League team. The right-hander allowed three hits, one walk and struck out six against Philadelphia Phillies minor-leaguers.

"I was very pleased," said Gooden, who threw 48 of 61 pitches for strikes. "I've been working on my mechanics and I'm thinking positive again about my mechanics. Once you start feeling good about your mechanics, everything else will take care of itself."

In two minor league starts, Gooden has allowed four hits over eight shutout innings. Plans call for another minor league start Saturday.

Gooden, who signed a minor league contract last month, was scratched from his scheduled start last Thursday. The Yankees, who were without Roger Clemens and Orlando Hernandez because of injuries at the time, considered activating the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year that day for a game in Detroit, then kept him on standby for a weekend series at Tampa Bay.

"Obviously, you know they're definitely interested in you and there's a chance you could be there soon," Gooden said. "It lets you know that all I have to do is get my act together here and I could be right there."