The Yankees certainly absorbed their share of embarrassing moments during a week in which they went 4-3 against the Rays and Indians. The Yankees' three losses were by a combined margin of 47-11 and were "highlighted" by Nick Swisher's mound debut in a 15-5 loss to the Rays, a 12-2 drubbing by the Indians in the first game at the new Yankee Stadium and a 22-4 rout by the Indians two days later in which the Yankees gave up a team-record 14 runs in the second inning. There are plenty of concerns about Chien-Ming Wang, who was the losing pitcher in two of the routs, as well as the bullpen leading up to set-up man Brian Bruney and closer extraordinaire Mariano Rivera. But A.J. Burnett displayed dominant stuff in a pair of starts and the Yankees are averaging 5.4 runs per game even though the likes of Mark Teixeira (.206) and Hideki Matsui (.194) have started slow.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Jose Veras threw a career-high 3 1/3 innings Wednesday, the second straight appearance in which he's set a career high for innings pitched. Veras, who threw three innings against the Indians on Saturday, didn't exceed two innings in any of his first 86 appearances as a big-leaguer.
--LHP Damaso Marte continued to struggle Wednesday, when he allowed a walk in one-third of an inning. In five appearances, Marte has an ERA of 18.90 and has allowed 10 baserunners (eight hits and two walks) in just 3 1/3 innings.
--3B Alex Rodriguez ran the bases Wednesday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa as he continues to recover from the hip surgery he underwent in March. The Yankees have long targeted May 15 for Rodriguez's return, but the New York Post reported on its Web site Tuesday that Rodriguez appears to be a week ahead of schedule and could play May 8 against the Orioles.
--SS Derek Jeter recorded a pair of career milestones Wednesday, when he played in his 2,000th game and hit his 210th homer. The solo blast in the fourth inning moved Jeter into 10th place on the Yankees' all-time list, one homer ahead of former teammate Jason Giambi.
MEDICAL WATCH:
OF Xavier Nady (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 15. He will try to rehab the injury without surgery.
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 he could be back as soon as May 8.
ROTATION:
LHP CC Sabathia
RHP A.J. Burnett
LHP Andy Pettitte
RHP Joba Chamberlain
RHP Chien-Ming Wang
BULLPEN:
RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)
RHP Brian Bruney
LHP Damaso Marte
LHP Phil Coke
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP Jose Veras
RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
RHP Steven Jackson
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 Nick Swisher
DH Hideki Matsui
OF Melky Cabrera
