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 lis franc 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.

Nearly perfect, Cliff Lee dazzles again as Tribe sweeps Royals  —  KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Indians completed Thursday's doubleheader sweep behind undefeated left-hander Cliff Lee and an out-of-nowhere homer by David Dellucci.  —  Lee, who has not allowed a run in the last 21 innings, beat the Royals 2-0 on a three-hitter.

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.

Orioles place Loewen on disabled list  —  LHP goes on 15-day DL with left elbow soreness; infielder Eider Torres called up  —  SEATTLE - The Orioles announced today that they have placed left-handed pitcher Adam Loewen on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow soreness.

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.

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.

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.

Prospect Hot Sheet: April 25  —  It's not been an easy week for the Hot Sheet here at Baseball America.  We moved our offices from downtown Durham, N.C. to South Durham.  We are in some nicer diggs, with more room, but it also means we're working out of boxes right now.

Pelfrey's mouthpiece a distraction for opponents  —  Last Sunday night, as a national television audience watched Mike Pelfrey tangle with the Phillies on ESPN, the question probably came up a million times among viewers from Sacramento to Sioux City.  —  “What the heck is that guy chewing on?”

Tipping pitches means disaster for hurlers  —  Randy Johnson did it for years.  Andy Benes would do it when throwing his slider.  Some believe it has been C.C. Sabathia's biggest problem this season.  I'm talking about pitchers tipping pitches, of course.  —  Pitchers are creatures of habit.

Mets vs. Braves (series opener)  —  7:30 p.m.Here's a little pre-game Met news: Brian Schneider will remain in the hospital under at least Sunday morning as doctors hope intravenous antibiotics can wipe out the infection in the his left thumb.  Willie called it a “staph infection.”