Game 24: Yankees at Indians  —  YANKEES  —  Andy Pettitte vs. the Cleveland hitters  —  Notes: Bad news for Brian Bruney.  He has a torn ligament in his foot that will require surgery and is likely out for the season.  More on this later but he has a lisfranc injury. ...

A-Rod back in Yankees' starting lineup  —  CLEVELAND (AP)—Alex Rodriguez ran himself back into the starting lineup.  —  After missing three games with a strained right quadriceps, A-Rod was back at third base and batting cleanup Friday night as the New York Yankees opened a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians.

Cliff Lee  —  Pardon me for asking, but has someone secretly replaced opposing lineups with a bunch of Double-A hitters any time Cliff Lee has taken the mound this year?  I realize this is a somewhat bizarre conspiracy theory, but in my defense I'd like to present you with my evidence: his numbers.

Mariners sign Kenji Johjima to three-year contract extension  —  Catcher now signed through 2011  —  SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Bill Bavasi announced today that the Mariners have agreed to terms with catcher Kenji Johjima on a three-year contract extension.

Pregame scoop  —  A few things going on at Shea in pregame so here's an update:  —Brian Schneider is going to be hospitalized through at least Sunday morning (he was there last night too) and is on antibiotics for his infected left thumb.  When Schneider will return or how serious the problem is seems to be kind of unknown.

Loewen goes on disabled list with ailing left elbow  —  Trembley declines to name replacement in rotation; infielder Torres called up  —  CHICAGO - Orioles starting pitcher Adam Loewen returned to Baltimore tonight and will have his ailing left elbow looked at tomorrow by team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens.

Jock in a Box  —  New Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty spent 13 seasons as the GM of the St. Louis Cardinals.  During his tenure the Cardinals went from a team that hadn't been to the playoffs in 7 years to a team that won the division in his second season and went to the playoffs in 6 of the last 9 years.

Sheffield gets third cortisone shot  —  Veteran consdiering retirement as worst case scenario  —  DETROIT — Gary Sheffield received three cortisone shots last year as he tried to play through a midseason shoulder injury that sapped his offense down the stretch.  He has now received three cortisone shots this week.

Mets vs. Braves (series opener)  —  9:15 p.m. In case you're watching the game at home and wondered what seemed to be distracting most of Shea in the top of the sixth, there was a fight in the stands, complete with beer throwing and waves of security.  It took place on the third-base side …

AIRWAVES FULL OF THE ABSURD  —  I ADMIT it.  At times this job has become so easy a caveman could do it.  —  For example, years ago, when I was angling to write about TV and/or radio absurdities, it could take three, four days to gather the goods.  —  Today?  Same day delivery.  Cake walk, can of corn.