A.L. east

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

With Javy Lopez (hand) expected to return next month, the club will have to decide whether Sal Fasano or Geronimo Gil gets sent down because it's unlikely three catchers will be kept. Fasano has shown surprising power and works well with the pitching staff. Gil has improved on defense but is struggling mightily at the plate. ... Given a chance while OF Luis Matos (finger) was out, David Newhan didn't produce and was sent to the minors when Matos returned from the D.L. Before the demotion, Newhan was batting .194 with a .241 on-base percentage. POWER TOOL: SS Miguel Tejada has plenty of tools, but he helps the Orioles the most with his all-around hitting. He led the club in home runs last year and is the team's most imposing threat in the middle of the order. Tejada, who has driven in more runs than anyone in baseball since the start of the 2004 season, raises his game when runners are on base. He hits for power and average and delivers in the clutch.--Gary Washburn

BOSTON RED SOX

Closer Keith Foulke has straightened things out after a rough start--he had allowed only one run in June entering the week--but the bullpen still has issues. RHP Matt Mantel hasn't been steady, and LHP Alan Embree's repeated struggles have been surprising. RHP Bronson Arroyo could move to the bullpen after RHP Curt Schilling (ankle) returns. and likely would thrive with regular work. Still, look for the team to try to add a proven setup man before the trading deadline. ... CF Johnny Damon continues to impress the team with his consistency at the plate. He could make a run at his first batting title. POWER TOOL: DH David Ortiz's power is the team's biggest asset. He has become a lethal hitter with no apparent weakness. Pitchers used to be able to bust Ortiz in on his hands, but now he clobbers inside offerings. He doesn't chase pitches. Ortiz used to sit against lefties, but he hits whomever he faces now. -Ian Browne

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

OF/DH Jonny Gomes was recalled from Class AAA Durham--where he hit .317 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs--last week and quickly moved from seventh to filth in the lineup after going 5-for-14 with three doubles and a home run. Gomes says his approach at the plate is to be aggressive and not look to walk. ... LHP Scott Kazmir had been struggling with his control until he moved to his right and began setting up on the edge of the rubber closest to third base. Kazmir says the adjustment has helped lock him into a better groove and find the strike zone more consistently. POWER TOOL: On defense, LF Carl Crawford uses his speed to get to balls most outfielders couldn't touch. On offense, if he hits a ball into the gap, he's always a threat to take third base. And any time he reaches base, he puts pressure on opposing defenses. Given the respect other teams have for his speed, hitters who bat with Crawford on base see a lot of fastballs.--Bill Chastain

NEW YORK YANKEES

It appears John Flaherty will be the primary catcher for LHP Randy Johnson, who had two of his best games of the season with Flaherty behind the plate. Flaherty has worked with Johnson during games to correct mechanical flaws, something starter Jorge Posada had not been doing while catching Johnson. ... LHP Sean Henn has been recalled to replace RHP Kevin Brown (back) in the rotation. RHP Tanyon Sturtze was used as the emergency starter last year, but he's too valuable in the bullpen this season to be used in the rotation. POWER TOOL: 3B Alex Rodriguez is the best pure hitter--and power hitter--on the team. He uses all fields but is at his best when he's frequently hitting balls to right-center. Rodriguez can take advantage of the short right field porch at Yankee Stadium and is strong enough to hit it out in the deepest part of any park. Rodriguez entered the week batting .324.--Mark Feinsand

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

RHP Chad Gaudin proved he wasn't fully ready for the big leagues, getting pounded in two of his three starts before being demoted last week. But he did impress the Jays with his hard slider and competitive makeup. Gaudin will be out of options next season, so the club needs to get him ready for the majors by then or risk losing him. ... RHP Pete Walker, who replaced Gaudin in the rotation, shouldn't have much trouble adjusting to the move--most of his recent appearances have been spaced out, similar to a starter's schedule. Walker likely will return to the bullpen once RHP Dave Bush straightens things out at Class AAA. POWER TOOL: CF Vernon Wells, a Gold Glove winner last season, is one of the elite defenders in the game. He has great speed, which prevents balls from getting hit over his head and allows him to cover the gaps. When Wells is playing between Reed Johnson and Alex Rios, the Jays' outfield defense is as good as any in the league.--Spencer Fordin

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