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A.L. East

Sporting News, The, April 21, 2006

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Javy Lopez is adjusting to being the OH, a role he resisted in the past. He is feeling comfortable and taking aggressive at-bats. Lopez struggled in spring training, when he was bothered by a thumb injury. He has been wearing a thumb guard, which has helped.... The club went to a 12-man pitching staff this week to ease the bullpen's workload. Orioles relievers worked 19 2/3 innings in the first five games. Rookie RHP Cory Morris, 26, was recalled from the minors; he likely will work in long and middle relief. SCOUTING REPORT: The club likes rookie RHP Sendy Rlears poise and live arm; it believes he eventually could be a reliable setup man. Rleal, 25, didn't allow a run in his first three appearances and could work his way toward late-inning outings as the season progresses. Rleal was a closer at Class AA Bowie last season. He converted 16 of 19 save chances.--Spencer Fordin

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BOSTON RED SOX

The lineup figures to be more top-heavy than in recent years; it used to be relentless from top to bottom. The production of 38 Mike Lowell, 1B Kevin Youkilis and SS Alex Gonzalez in the bottom third is difficult to predict.... CF Coco Crisp's raw speed has been one of the most pleasant early surprises. The Red Sox don't steal much but might not be able to resist giving Crisp a green light most of the time. SCOUTING REPORT: OF Wily Mo Pena has as much raw power as any hitter in the game, but he remains a platoon player because he doesn't hit breaking pitches well and hasn't developed enough plate discipline. If Pena fixes those flaws, he'll get more playing time against righthanded pitching. One thing that will benefit him greatly: The team's star sluggers, DH David Ortiz and LF Manny Ramirez, have taken Pena, a fellow Dominican, under their wings.--Ian Browne

NEW YORK YANKEES

Manager Joe Torre wants to keep RF Gary Sheffield, 37, fresh for the second half of the season, so he plans to give him more rest than he has in the past. Bernie Williams is working out in right field so he can fill in when Sheffield has a day off or is the DH.... Torre will closely monitor the workload of RHPs Tanyon Sturtze and Kyle Farnsworth. Neither is likely to pitch on consecutive days early in the season. Sturtze battled a tired arm late last season. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Mike Mussina's fastball no longer reaches the low to mid-90s, but he still has plenty in his arsenal. With his ability to mix six or seven pitches and use them at any time, he keeps hitters off-balance. Mussina also is helped by following hard-throwing LHP Randy Johnson in the rotation because hitters have to adjust to the pitchers' different styles.--Mark Feinsand

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

LF Carl Crawford took over the leadoff spot after SS Julio Lugo (abdominal strain) went on the D.L. Crawford is not a conventional leadoff hitter because he lacks patience, but manager Joe Maddon doesn't want Crawford to change his aggressive approach.... RHP Chad Orvella was sent to Class AAA Durham to continue working an reducing his delivery time to the plate. Efforts to change his tempo this spring might have adversely affected his mechanics and contributed to lackluster statistics. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Shawn Camp became a more complete pitcher in the offseason. When he was with the Royals last year, Camp noticed hitters were jumping on his fastball, so he worked on making his changeup better. After he fine-tuned the changeup, he refined his fastball to give it sinking action. The changes helped Camp win a bullpen job this spring.--Bill Chastain

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Manager John Gibbons has several top-of-the-order options at his disposal; one of his favorites is LF Reed Johnson batting first and RF Alex Rios hitting second. Johnson and Rios both have speed, and Rios will have more RBI opportunities hitting second rather than batting eighth behind C Bengle Molina.... LHP Scott Schoeneweis will be used as a late-inning specialist, primarily against lefthanded hitters. The plan is for Schoeneweis to face one to three batters each outing, depending on the situation. SCOUTING REPORT: SS Russ Adams worked hard this spring on improving his throwing, mainly by improving his footwork. Of particular importance was getting better at running down grounders hit into the hole. Adams, 25, committed a throwing error in each of the club's first two games this season, but expect his defense to improve as the year goes on.--Jordan Bastian

A.L. East

Sporting News, The, April 21, 2006

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