American League insider

[clevfan]

American League insider

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

STREAKING

New Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has pitched five innings in five games, allowing just one hit in 16 at-bats, and no walks while striking out four.

SLUMPING

The Blue Jays went just 5-for-30 against three Boston pitchers after starting the day with the highest batting average in the majors, .336.

AL INSIDER

Roy Halladay will miss his next scheduled start for the Toronto Blue Jays because of a tender forearm. The 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner has made two starts this season, beating Minnesota and then losing to Tampa Bay on Sunday. The right-hander had been expected to make his third start Saturday in Chicago against the White Sox, but now is slated to work during a three- game series against Boston in Toronto beginning April 21.

In addition to losing center fielder Coco Crisp to a broken fin ger, the Red Sox will be playing without right fielder Trot Nixon, who is sidelined by a groin injury. That leaves only one regular starter in Boston's outfield -- left fielder Manny Ramirez -- who will play with back ups Adam Stern, Wily Mo Pena and Dustan Mohr until Nixon, who expects to miss five to seven days, returns.

Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano (bruised left buttocks) made 41 throws from 60 feet during his second flat ground session in three days. Yankees manager Joe Torre said Pavano could rejoin the rotation during the first half of May. "He's frustrated," Torre said.

Oakland 1B Dan Johnson, a Minnesota native, is hitless in 19 at- bats, and he wasn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game at the Metrodome with dozens of friends and family members present. Nick Swisher, who hit a three-run homer against Twins starter Brad Radke last season, started at first.

Monday's 5-2 win over Texas marked the Los Angeles Angels' first errorless game of the season. They committed 87 errors last season, third-fewest in the majors behind Seattle and Atlanta, which were tied at 86 apiece.