American League East standings as of Sunday. via MLB.com
New York Yankees
The Yankees are sitting atop the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles nipping at their heels. Their record is .592, ridiculous, but what’s more, in the National League, both the Nationals (.617) and the Reds (.607) are higher still.
Friendly giant C.C. Sabathia should return to the rotation as soon as Friday’s game against the Indians. Sabathia was assigned to the DL for a second time this season just earlier in the month for elbow tightness, but has begun thrown bullpen sessions.
Switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira is still day-to-day with a wrist injury he sustained at the end of July. Manager Joe Girardi is hesitant to move Tex to the DL, but will if it move seems critical to full recovery.
For more on the Yankees, visit Second Place Is Not An Option.
Tampa Bay Rays
As of Sunday, the Rays are sitting just five games behind the Yankees’ currently claimed division pennant. Meanwhile, B.J. Upton is on an offensive surge, leading the league along with sluggers Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera, and Albert Pujols with 6 home runs so far this August.
Luke Scott, (strained right oblique) is scheduled to DH for Class A, and if all goes well, will return to the club on Monday or Tuesday when Tampa faces off against the Royals.
Rumour has it that ace David Price is a contender for this season’s Cy Young Award. Price is tied for the Major League best in wins with 16 this season. Price also boasts the best earned run average, at 2.39, just ahead of Justin Verlander (2.53).
For more on the Rays, visit Cowbell Clankers.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are maintaining a foothold in the eastern pennant race. Currently the team’s record is .545, which already sets them on par for the second wild card slot (oh, yeah…). Though the Orioles lead the majors in errors with 93, the club is still far from the OriLOLs we once knew.
The O’s optioned first baseman Joe Mahoney to Triple-A in a move to make room for starter Zach Britton. Britton joined the big squad from Triple-A and pitched a gem scoreless through seven on Saturday, that hoisted Baltimore over the Tigers.
On the injury front, Nolan Reimold is progressing after surgery on the herniated disk in his neck. However, Manager Buck Showalter is wary to construct a timetable for Reimold, who has been out since May 5.
For more on the Orioles, visit Charm City Yakyuu.
Boston Red Sox
Pitcher Felix Doubront, who experienced arm fatigue and knee contusions, is the 26th player Boston has placed on the disabled list this season, one that has been plagued by injury for the Sox and needless to say has affected the clubs winability all season. The move was partially a strategic one for Boston, however, as it allowed call up of offensive man Mauro Gomez.
The addition of Mauro Gomez to the lineup should help fill the Big-Papi-sized hole as David Ortiz continues to heal from an Achilles injury.
The jury is still out on Carl Crawford’s prospective Tommy John surgery, although allegedly a source indicated that Crawford could have the surgery next week.
For more on the Red Sox, visit Fenway Fatales
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have taken several hard hits in the past month, seeing what seems like their entire lineup disappear to the ranks of the disabled. The team is now more convincingly stuck below .500, when for a time it seemed they could just muster their way out of the AL-East hole.
Unfortunately, Colby Rasmus returned to the bench after his brief two-game return to the lineup as DH after a groin injury on August 10. Hopefully righty Brandon Morrow should return to the Jays lineup as soon as Friday or Saturday for the series against Baltimore.
Slugger Jose Bautista, who is out rehabbing his right wrist, should take batting practice on the field on Saturday. Additonally this weekend, Brett Lawrie is scheduled to start rehab in Class A Dunedin.
For more on the Blue Jays, visit Way Of The Jay
