Footlose

12 Days. That's all it took for Carl Pavano to visit his old pals, X-ray and MRI. On Saturday, Pavano took a line drive off his left instep, off the bat of rookie Alberto Gonzalez, . Though he was able to finish throwing batting practice, the Yankees shut him down for Sunday's workout and sent him for precautionary tests. Pavano is one of several Yankee pitchers who do not throw behind an L screen during BP. Perhaps Brian Cashman should just have an X-ray machine in the same format as an L screen in order to kill two birds with one stone.

Johnny Damon was excused from weekend workouts due to a personal issue. Joe Torre did not know the specifics, but it was originally thought Damon would be out for an extended period of time. He's now expected to return today.

Pavano isn't the only one with some spring training aches and pains. Brian Bruney has been sidelined by back spasms in his rib cage area and Humberto Sanchez has been slowed by tightness in his right forearm. Sanchez has been on the DL 8 times in his young career and had his season ended early last August with elbow problems. Bruney is expected to be shutdown for 4-5 days, while Sanchez is going for a precautionary MRI.

Spring Training Rule #1
All Rookies must walk 2 paces behind the Captain