Yankees-Red Sox 7:15 on YES (3/22)

It's more of a preliminary bout than Round 1, but tonight the revamped Yankees and Red Sox meet for the first time in 2006. The most notable change of course will be Johnny Damon manning center field for the Yankees rather than the Sox. Damon gets a bit of a reprieve from the boo birds though since this game is in Tampa.

Righty Shawn Chacon will be opposed by youngster Jonathan Papelbon.

Carl Pavano will throw batting practice today and, if all goes well, again on Saturday. Pavano should make his first Spring start in a week. It appears now that Pavano won't be ready to come off the DL in Mid-April. The end of April now appears to be a more like scenario as Pavano will need to get more work prior to then.

Chien-Ming Wang started against a collection of Toronto minor leaguers yesterday - and got hammered. Wang gave up a pair of home runs and 5 runs in 3 2-3 innings. Wang attributed his problems to his shoulder flying open, causing his sinker to rise rather than sink.

"He was just up," pitching coach Ron Guidry said. "He wasn't getting through the ball. It looks like he was swinging and not driving the ball to the plate. ... When he found out what it was, the third inning was more like him.

"Some days you have those days. I don't think there's anything wrong. Maybe his wife made him sleep on the couch."


Scott Erickon continues to struggle with a bad back. He's improved since the weekend, but is still too hobbled to take part in any drills or to throw.

Joe Torre is likely to carry 11 pitchers to start the season, opening up an additional roster spot. One player considered for that spot is catcher Wil Nieves, who is out of options.