Los Angeles @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2010 ) NY Yankees 4, LA Angels 8
The New York Yankees appear to have caught a break as their two-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim begins Tuesday. Then again, the way Scott Kazmir had been pitching lately, it may actually be a bit of bad luck the Yankees won't get a chance to face him.
Kazmir, who was scheduled to start Tuesday's game at Yankee Stadium, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday. The Angels are expected to summon a player from the minor leagues to replace him.
The Yankees also placed a starting pitcher on the disabled list Monday. Andy Pettitte is expected to miss four-to-five weeks with a strained groin muscle. Sergio Mitre will take his place in the rotation.
The Yankees won two of three games from the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend to extend their lead in the AL East to three games.
Kazmir was moved to the disabled list due to shoulder fatigue. In his last start, he surrendered 13 runs and 11 hits over five innings in a 15-1 loss at the Oakland Athletics.
Still 26, Kazmir has had several bouts of inconsistency throughout his All-Star career. He is 7-9 with a 6.92 ERA in 17 starts and has lost his last four starts.
The Angels expect to start either Trevor Bell (1-1, 6.38 ERA) or Sean O'Sullivan (0-0, 1.29) in Kazmir's place. Both right-handers have never faced New York.
The Angels activated infielder Maicer Izturis from the disabled list after missing 27 games with a left forearm strain and designated first baseman Paul McAnulty for assignment.
Phil Hughes (11-2) will start for the Yankees. Hughes took the loss in the All-Star Game, but it is the only blemish on his breakout season.
Prior to the start of the season, the Yankees debated whether Hughes or set-up man Joba Chamberlain would fill the final spot in the rotation. Hughes got the call and has been brilliant.
Like Chamberlain, the Yankees have attempted to limit the number of innings Hughes will throw on the season. After missing a recent start, Hughes came back to defeat the Seattle Mariners, 6-1, in his last outing.
Hughes is 3-0 lifetime against the Angels and beat them, 6-2, in his first start of the season.
Pettitte was the second straight starter to leave a game with an injury in the Yankees' series against the Rays. A.J. Burnett left after two innings in his last start with cuts on both hands sustained when smashed a shower door in frustration. He hopes to make his next start.
Pettitte is expected to rest for two weeks with a mild strain and the Yankees don't plan on rushing him back for at least another two weeks. The Yankees said they would not consider starting Chamberlain in Pettitte's absence.
Alex Rodriguez is nearing another milestone. The Yankees' third baseman hit his 598th homer on Sunday. It was his first homer in his last eight games.