The injuries to Chien-Ming Wang (above) and Jeff Karstens will allow Darrell Rasner to start the year in the rotation. Rasner is by no means a top prospect, but the possibility of remaining in the rotation beyond the first month should not be ruled out.

NEW YORK YANKEES

NOTES: Reliever Ron Villone struggled in spring training and was released by the team as a result.  He is coming off a season in which he posted an ERA above 5.00, so the Yankees probably were not counting on him going into this season.  

The injuries to Chien-Ming Wang and Jeff Karstens will allow Darrell Rasner to start the year in the rotation.  Rasner is by no means a top prospect, but the possibility of remaining in the rotation beyond the first month of the season should not be ruled out considering the inexperience of Rasner’s competition.

INJURIES: Pitcher Jeff Karstens was set to replace the injured Chien-Ming Wang in the rotation before experiencing elbow stiffness in late March.  Karstens still hopes to regain a rotation spot by Mid-April.

Player Watch: Carl Pavano will be the team’s Opening Day starter.  He is returning from a nightmarish 2006 season both on and off the field, but the Yankees are hoping that Pavano can reestablish himself.

Prospect Watch: Phil Hughes is arguably the best prospect in the game, but the Yankees didn’t give him much of a chance to play his way onto the team during spring training with only three appearances.  Still, a call-up by May should not surprise anyone considering the injury histories of some of Yanks’ starting pitchers.

OAKLAND A’s

NOTES: Top prospect Travis Buck will start the season in the majors following the hip injury to Dan Johnson.  Buck is a speedy contact hitter that has the ability to stick in the majors all season if he gets off to a fast start.  He should see semi-regular at-bats in the outfield while Nick Swisher moves over to first base.

When an outfielder needs a rest, new acquisition Todd Walker will see some at-bats at first base.  Walker didn’t fit in well with the Padres and was released in spring training.  He will still have to settle for a utility role in Oakland, as he did in San Diego for part of last season.

INJURIES: First baseman Dan Johnson will start the year on the DL with a hip injury.  The A’s don’t know how much time he will miss, but he could miss as much as the entire first half the season.  Starter Esteban Loaiza was placed on the DL with a strained trapezius and will be replaced in the rotation at the beginning of the year by Chad Gaudin.  Mark Kotsay will miss 2-3 months following back surgery.

Player Watch: Starting pitcher Joe Kennedy had a terrible spring training, so he has little margin for error at the beginning of the year.  Kennedy has shown some terrific flashes during his career, but he has also struggled with arm injuries.

Prospect Watch: Jason Windsor lost out of the fifth rotation spot by struggling in spring training.  He could still be a replacement in the rotation later in the year.

SEATTLE MARINERS

NOTES: The Mariners acquired outfielder Jason Ellison from San Francisco to serve as their fifth outfielder.  Ellison is a good baserunner, but he should not be expected to contribute much for the team.

Reliever Brandon Morrow surprisingly won a relief spot in spring training.  Morrow was Seattle’s first-round pick last season.  The move could be an indication of manager Mike Hargrove and GM Bill Bavasi’s attempt to win at all costs this season, as their jobs are on the line following a couple bad seasons.

INJURIES: Reliever Mark Lowe is out until at least July following elbow surgery.

Player Watch: Closer J.J. Putz suffered through elbow soreness throughout the spring, but he should be ready for Opening Day.  Putz was one of the most dominating closers in baseball last season.

Prospect Watch: Former starting center fielder Jeremy Reed was sent down following spring training to get some at-bats.  He will likely stay in Triple-A for much of the season unless an outfielder gets hurt.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

NOTES: Following the demotions of Seth McClung and Chad Orvella, the Devil Rays enter the season without a clear closer.  Al Reyes is returning from Tommy John surgery this season and will likely be first in line when save opportunities arise.  Former minor league starting pitcher Brian Stokes could also be an initial option in a bullpen that leaves something to be desired.  

Former starting second baseman Jorge Cantu lost out on the second base job in spring and refused to report to Triple-A Durham following his demotion.  It is unclear where Cantu will go from here, but the Devil Rays will go on with a mix of B.J. Upton and Brendan Harris at second base.

INJURIES: Greg Norton tore his meniscus in his right knee and will miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season. Jon Switzer will miss time after going on the DL with tendinitis in his throwing shoulder.

Player Watch: Utilityman B.J. Upton will get to play all over the field this season, and he should see regular at-bats following the demotion of Jorge Cantu.  Upton was rushed to the majors by the former Tampa Bay front office regime, but he remains one of the best offensive prospects in baseball.

Prospect Watch: Jason Hammel was once the top pitching prospect in the organization, but the Devil Rays have not given him much of an opportunity to compete in the majors.  Hammel could still contribute to a less-than-stellar rotation this season, but former first-round pick Jeff Niemann is more likely to get the call first.

TEXAS RANGERS

NOTES: Sammy Sosa emerged in spring training as one of the Rangers’ best hitters and will start at DH.  There was some speculation that he would simply be released by the Rangers following a year off, but he now looks like a serviceable middle of the lineup hitter.  

Jamey Wright won the Rangers’ fifth rotation spot, but he will be starting the year in the minors to get some work in.  The Rangers have several other options to start, so Wright must do well at the beginning of the season in order to keep his rotation spot.

INJURIES: Eric Gagne will start the year on the DL as he continues to get in baseball shape.  Pitcher John Rheinecker was placed on the DL with a strained back.

Player Watch: Shortstop Michael Young will try to prove to the Rangers that he was worth the multi-year contract that he signed during the offseason.  Young’s home run output dropped from 24 in 2005 to 14 last season.

Prospect Watch: The Rangers demoted Edinson Volquez all the way to Single-A Bakersfield in order to improve his confidence.  Volquez has one of the best young arms in baseball, but he has struggled mightily with his control during his major league time.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

NOTES: Josh Towers was able to regain a rotation spot with a great spring.  The control-artist finished with a 3.20 ERA in spring training and was able to beat out Victor Zambrano and Casey Janssen.  His margin for error should still be small due to the team’s pitching depth.

Reliever Jason Frasor was named the team’s setup man following a good spring.  The team’s former closer will fill the role held by Justin Speier last season.

INJURIES: Pitcher John Thomson is starting the season on the DL with a sore shoulder.  His history of arm problems and the Jays’ rotation depth does not speak well for Thomson’s future with the club when he is ready to return.

Player Watch: Pitcher Victor Zambrano has worked his way back quickly from Tommy John surgery.  He was unable to win a rotation spot, but the Blue Jays were still very impressed with his electric stuff in spring training.  Zambrano could find himself in the rotation later this season.

Prospect Watch: The signing of Frank Thomas during the offseason almost assured that Adam Lind would start the year in the minors.  He is doing just that, but Lind is still the team’s best hitting prospect in the high minors.  He could get an opportunity if something happens to Thomas or one of the team’s corner outfielders.