A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, May 31, 2004

NEW YORK YANKEES Jason Giambi's latest array of injuries, which include bursitis in his left hip and muscle spasms in his upper back, might limit him to designated hitter duties when he returns from the D.L. That would take at-bats away from OF Kenny Lofton and DH Ruben Sierra while increasing playing time for 1B Tony Clark.... The performances of RH Ps Tom Gordon and Paul Quantrill have allowed manager Joe Torre to keep RHP Mariano Rivera flesh for the ninth inning, which will pay off later in the season.... After a short stint in the minors, RHP Jose Contreras is back with the Yankees. His results in the next few weeks will determine whether the team searches for a veteran pitcher before the trade deadline.... The condition of RHP Steve Karsay's surgically repaired shoulder has taken an unexpected turn for the better, and he might be able to return to the club by the second half of the season. Given the successes of Gordon and Quantrill, however, Karsay's role in the bullpen is in question. SCOUTING REPORT: Clark might not be able to rival Giambi's power at the plate, but his 6-7 frame has come in handy on defense. Clark's range is superior to Giambi's, and Clark turns a 3-6-3 double play as well as any player at the position. Clark's arm is strong and accurate, and his baseball senses are as sharp as any Yankees first baseman since Don Mattingly.--Mark Feinsand

THE ROAD AHEAD

The Yankees have nothing to complain about in June. They play 17 of 26 games at home and get the Rockies and Padres in interleague play.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS CF Mark Kotsay's first 31 starts were in the lead-off spot, but he was a No. 2 hitter for most of his three years with the Padres. The A's are considering batting him second when speedy Eric Byrnes, who has been sharing time in left field with Bobby Kielty, is in the lineup. Byrnes hit .433 in his first six starts atop the order and is more of a typical leadoff man. ... Upon signing as a free agent in the off season, 1B Eric Karros was told he would--at the very least--be in the lineup against lefties, but he sat last week in consecutive games against lefthanded starters. Publicly, he's biting his lip.... Backup C Adam Melhuse has made such progress behind the plate that manager Ken Macha has backed off his intention to have veteran Damian Miller handle young RHP Rich Harden exclusively. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: LHP Arthur Rhodes, the closer, spent part of spring training working on a changeup, but it's the cut fastball he recently unveiled that's giving hitters fits. He holds it like a fastball, but a late, small flick of his wrist sends it darting down and in to righthanders. The pitch is allowing Rhodes to throw righthanders fewer sliders, which are slower and give them more time to identify the pitch and react. The new wrinkle was pitching coach Curt Young's idea, and he says Rhodes, a 13-year veteran, gained command of the cut fastball almost immediately.--Michael Urban

THE ROAD AHEAD

The A's have 12 home games, but on the road they face tough competition from the Cubs and Angels, who are 26-16 combined at home.