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BALTIMORE ORIOLES
LHP Kurt Birkins and RHP Julio Manon, who were called up from the minors last week, will have limited roles in the bullpen. Birkins is the team's new situational lefthander, and Manon is expected to pitch in the sixth inning. Baltimore promoted Birkins and Manon after cutting RHP Jim Brower and demoting RHP Eddy Rodriguez.... When Javy Lopez (back) returns from the D.L., perhaps as early as this week, he'll remain the DH/backup catcher. His shift to first base remains on hold. Ramon Hernandez is the starting catcher, and Jeff Conine and Kevin Millar are splitting time at first base. APRIL SURPRISE: RHP Chris Ray is handling the closer role as well as anyone could have expected. He went 7-for-7 in save opportunities in April. In addition, he held opponents scoreless in 10 of his first 11 outings. Ray, 24, has been the steadiest member of a bullpen that otherwise has been ineffective.--Spencer Fordin
BOSTON RED SOX
The Red Sox corrected an offseason mistake by reacquiring C Doug Mirabelli from the Padres last week, Mirabelli, whom the Red Sox traded for 2B Mark Loretta in the offseason, is a master at handling RHP Tim Wakefield's knuckleball, Josh Bard caught Wakefield's first five starts and had 10 passed balls. Bard was included in the trade to get back Mirabelli.... 1B Kevin Youkilis' emergence as an everyday player has made 1B J.T. Snow a forgotten man. Snow is having difficulty adjusting to being used sparingly. He has been unable to make solid contact as often as in the past. APRIL SURPRISE: 3B Mike Lowell's subpar 2005 season made Red Sox fans feel lukewarm about him. This year, Lowell has provided a much-needed threat at the bottom of the order. His line-drive stroke has been compact, and his power numbers likely will increase.--Ian Browne
NEW YORK YANKEES
Manager Joe Torre plans to rotate OFs Johnny Damon, Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsul and 1B Jason Giambi in the DH slot to keep them fresh during the season. Bernie Williams and occasionally Bubba Crosby will play in the field when one of the outfielders is the DH.... The team is trying to keep LHP Randy Johnson and RHP Mike Mussina on regular five-day ...