The Yankees surprisingly posted the worst ERA in the league a little after the season's first month despite luring top starters CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. They faced one injury after another and still escaped April with a winning record. And after all that, they're back to where they were back in spring training -- bracing for Alex Rodriguez to take center stage for better or worse. No doubt the Yankees can't wait to get Rodriguez's bat back in the lineup as he prepares to return from hip surgery. But along with that comes the swirling headlines that have begun to gust before he returned -- among them the fallout from the "A-Rod" biography as well as a reported investigation by Major League Baseball to see if Rodriguez did take performance-enhancing drugs more often than he's admitted to already.
PLAYER NEWS: --OF/1B Nick Swisher would have missed a second straight game if the Yankees' contest against the Angels hadn't been postponed by rain. Swisher, who was hit on the elbow by a pitch Friday night, had missed Saturday's game as well. Manager Joe Girardi said Swisher could have been available to pinch hit Sunday and could play Monday.
--RHP Phil Hughes had his start bumped back a day due to Sunday's rainout versus the Angels. Hughes, who had an impressive first start after filling in for Chien-Ming Wang, will now draw the challenge of facing the rival Red Sox in the club's first game against Boston at the new Yankee Stadium on Monday.
--2B Robinson Cano had his hitting streak snapped at 18 games Saturday against the Angels. Cano, who worked with hitting coach Kevin Long in the offseason to adjust his mechanics after a poor 2008, was batting .363 with five homers and 17 RBI after the season's first 24 games.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Damaso Marte (left shoulder soreness) was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 3.
OF Nick Swisher (sore right elbow) left the May 1 game, and he sat out May 2. He may play on May 4.
RHP Brian Bruney (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 22.
RHP Chien-Ming Wang (hip weakness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19 with an ailment connected to the season-ending Lisfranc foot injury he suffered last year. He pitched May 2 in extended spring training.
3B Cody Ransom (right quadriceps tear) went on the 60-day disabled list April 26.
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 began playing in extended spring training in late April. He is expected to return to the Yankees by mid-May.
ROTATION:
LHP CC Sabathia
RHP A.J. Burnett
LHP Andy Pettitte
RHP Joba Chamberlain
RHP Phil Hughes
BULLPEN:
RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)
RHP Anthony Claggett
LHP Phil Coke
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP Jose Veras
RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
RHP David Robertson
RHP Mark Melancon
CATCHERS:
Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
INFIELDERS:
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Robinson Cano
SS Derek Jeter
3B Angel Berroa
INF Ramiro Pena
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Johnny Damon
CF Brett Gardner
RF Nick Swisher
DH Hideki Matsui
OF Melky Cabrera
