The first week of the season ended better than it began for the Yankees, though hopes of a sweep of the Royals disappeared with a furious eighth inning rally by Kansas City in its 6-4 win Sunday. Top two starters CC Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang failed to record a strikeout in a combined eight innings as the Orioles won the first two games of the season, but Sabathia quieted concerns with 7 2/3 dominant scoreless innings against the Royals in his subsequent start. Nick Swisher didn't arrive with the fanfare of Sabathia or Mark Teixeira, but Swisher hit .438 (7-for-16) in starting the final four games of the week -- including the last two at first base in place of the injured Mark Teixeira (sore left wrist) -- as he helped the Yankees to a 3-1 record in that span.
PLAYER NEWS: --OF Xavier Nady is expected to be placed on the disabled list Thursday with a right elbow injury that could sideline him the rest of the season. Nady, who felt a sharp pain while throwing the ball in the seventh inning Tuesday against the Rays, underwent an MRI on Wednesday and will meet with Yankees doctors Thursday. Nady underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in 2001 and indicated to reporters Wednesday he's worried he may have suffered another serious injury. "It's sore," Nady said. "The original report didn't look great. It's frustrating. It's tough."
--RHP Mariano Rivera made his first appearance since April 10 and earned his second save with a perfect ninth inning. Rivera, who underwent right shoulder surgery after last season, has allowed one hit and struck out three in three innings over three outings.
--RHP Brian Bruney struck out both batters he faced in the eighth inning Wednesday to earn his first win of the season. He has now whiffed the last five batters he's faced. He's also retired the last 14 batters he's faced over his last five appearances, including 10 by strikeout.
MEDICAL WATCH:
OF Xavier Nady (sore right elbow) left the April 14 game. He had an MRI on April 15, and he is expected to land on the disabled list April 16.
OF Johnny Damon (flu) sat out the April 14 game. He returned to action April 15.
DH Hideki Matsui (left knee surgery in September 2008) won't play in the field before June.
3B Alex Rodriguez (arthroscopic right hip surgery in March 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He resumed baseball activities April 13 and could be back as soon as late April. He could have more extensive surgery during the offseason, although he is indicating that might not be necessary.
ROTATION:
LHP CC Sabathia
RHP Chien-Ming Wang
RHP A.J. Burnett
LHP Andy Pettitte
RHP Joba Chamberlain
BULLPEN:
RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)
RHP Brian Bruney
LHP Damaso Marte
LHP Phil Coke
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP Jose Veras
RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
CATCHERS:
Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
INFIELDERS:
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Robinson Cano
SS Derek Jeter
3B Cody Ransom
INF Ramiro Pena
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Johnny Damon
CF Brett Gardner
RF Xavier Nady
DH Hideki Matsui
OF/1B Nick Swisher
OF Melky Cabrera
