Yankees vs. Blue Jays - 6/4

Mike Mussina will be out to avenge his early April loss to the Blue Jays and to try to stop the team's 3-game skid when the Yankees face Toronto tonight at the Stadium. Moose surprisingly leads the team in wins with 8 and is second in the AL only to the Angels' Joe Saunders who garnered his 9th victory last night.

Mussina has compiled a 23-12, 3.35 mark against the Blue Jays in 42 career starts. He was on the losing end of a 5-2 game back on April 2.

Blue Jays vs. Mussina

Barajas 5-16 (.313) 2 HR 4 RBI
Eckstein 4-10 (.400)
Hill 7-19 (.368) 1 RBI, but most likely out with a concussion
Mench 5-19 (.263) 1 HR 3 RBI
Overbay 1-15 (.033) 1 RBI
Rios 7-23 (.304) 1 RBI
Rolen 5-19 (.263)
Scutaro 6-15 (.400) 1 RBI
Stairs 8-32 (.250) 2 RBI
Stewart 19-64 (.297) 1 HR 8 RBI
Thigpen 2-3
Wilkerson 3-11 (.273) 2 HR 2 RBI

Jesse Litsch made the jump from Double-A to the majors last year after he dominated the Eastern League. He put together a pretty good rookie season, compiling a 7-9 record with a 3.81 ERA. It included a 1-1, 6.08 record in 3 games against the Yankees.

This year Litsch has limited hitters to a .264 average while only walking 9 batters in 65 innings. While he won't walk you, he won't strike you out either, relying heavily on his defense. He's posted a 7-1, 3.18 mark in 10 starts plus 1 relief appearance.

Yankees vs. Litsch

Abreu 1-6
Cabrera 2-5
Cano 1-6 1 RBI
Damon 3-8 1 HR 2 RBI
Giambi 1 RBI (no official at-bats)
Jeter 1-8
Matsui 3-6
A-Rod 2-5 1 RBI

UPDATED 4:25 PM EDT with Yankees lineup, courtesy of Peter Abraham

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Betemit 1B
Cano 2B
Molina C
Cabrera CF

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Around the Horn - 3/24

Some crucial injuries have hit late in spring training. Tigers five-tool man Curtis Granderson was hit in the right hand by a pitch from the Phils' Travis Blackley. Granderson suffered a broken finger and is expected to miss 3 weeks. Brandon Inge will take his place in centerfield for the time being.

The good news for the Blue Jays is that Scott Rolen's balky shoulder isn't bothering him. The bad news is that he broke the tip of his middle finger on his throwing hand during a fielding drill yesterday. Rolen could miss 4-5 weeks. Super sub Marco Scutaro will fill in for now.

Brewers left-hander Chris Capuano got some very bad news. He's got a torn UCL in his left shoulder, which means he'll most likely need a second Tommy John surgery.

A sore shoulder will keep the Braves' John Smoltz on the DL to start the season, but he could make his first start on April 6.

While Granderson may be bummed, his new teammate Miguel Cabrera is all smiles. The all-star slugger has reached preliminary agreement with the Tigers on a 7-yr extension worth $152 million.

John Patterson, released by the Washington Nationals last week, has agreed to a deal with the Texas Rangers. Imagine that, the Rangers making a good move with pitching.

Shannon Stewart has won the starting left field job for the Blue Jays, which means hard nosed, fan favorite, Reed Johnson is out of a job. The Blue Jays released him over the weekend.

The Twins are close to signing closer Joe Nathan to a 4-year extension. Nathan's agent is meeting with club officials today.

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Around the Horn - 2/25

With Curt Schilling ailing, the Red Sox have reportedly turned to another veteran, also dealing with arm issues. According to ESPN, the Sox have agreed to terms on a minor league deal with former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon. There is no guaranteed money for Colon, who nearly signed with the Mets last week before they backed off.

The Red Sox also announced they are keeping their manager for at least 3 more years. Terry Francona agreed to a 3-year, $12 million extension.

Brad Lidge will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to miss the start of the Phillies' regular season. It's an early blow to the defending NL East champs, who acquired Lidge so they could move Brett Myers back to the starting rotation.

The Cubs Mark DeRosa had to be taken off the field on a stretcher Saturday due to an irregular heartbeat. He was feeling better on Sunday and was released from an area hospital. DeRosa will see a cardiologist today to determine when he can resume baseball activities.

The Blue Jays are bringing Shannon Stewart back to Toronto with a minor deal that will turn into $1.5 million if he makes the team. Stewart, who turns 34 today, played for the Jays from 1995-2003.

Tony LaRussa has selected Adam Wainwright to be the Cardinals opening day starter. In his comeback attempt, the Tigers Matt Mantei threw to hitters for the first time in 2 years.

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Non-Yankees Hero of the Day

A big high five and a fist pump to Shannon Stewart of the Oakland A's. Stewart seemed to always hit well as a member of the Blue Jays before a series of injuries took its toll. Well today Stewart is #1 in our eyes.

He broke up Curt Schilling's no-hit bid with 2 out in the 9th. Schilling out dueled Joe Blanton, 1-0, allowing only 2 base runners (Julio Lugio committed a 5th inning error), but he doesn't get the no-no.

And we are quite happy.

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