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Chamberlain to make start

Yankees' Joba Chamberlain will transition from the bullpen into a starting role. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Yankees' Joba Chamberlain will transition from the bullpen into a starting role. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Joba Chamberlain received his long-awaited promotion, and the rookie right-hander will make his first start for the Yankees at home in the Bronx.

Manager Joe Girardi said the 22-year-old will take the mound at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night against Toronto and be limited to 65 or 70 pitches.

After deliberating about the decision during New York’s off day Thursday and consulting with general manager Brian Cashman, Girardi said Friday he decided to keep Andy Pettitte on his regular throwing schedule and use the left-hander for Monday’s series finale against the Twins.

New York has been grooming Chamberlain for the rotation since selecting him out of the University of Nebraska with the 41st overall pick in the 2006 amateur draft. After posting a 0.38 ERA in 19 appearances last season, Chamberlain had a 2.28 ERA in 20 games out of the bullpen this year.

Matsuzaka on DL

Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Boston Red Sox, who opted to take a cautious approach after an MRI exam revealed a mild strain of his right rotator cuff.

Matsuzaka was examined in Boston by Dr. Thomas Gill. It is the first trip to the disabled list by Matsuzaka, who joined the Red Sox last season after pitching in Japan.

“The real good news is there were no structural changes,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “The best way we can see to attack this, we’ll DL him, take the time down.”

Clearing the bases

Orioles manager Dave Trembley isn’t ready to bring Steve Trachsel back into his starting rotation, even though there’s an opening Tuesday when Baltimore begins a road trip in Minnesota. The 37-year-old Trachsel has been struggling this season and Trembley acknowledged that the team would have to “re-evaluate” the right-hander’s place on the roster. … The Kansas City Royals claimed catcher Brayan Pena off waivers from the Atlanta Braves and made room on their 40-man roster by transferring right-hander Luke Hudson to the 60-day disabled list. … Texas Rangers’ third baseman Hank Blalock had surgery on his right wrist and will be sidelined for at least a month. Blalock has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 29 due to a torn hamstring and carpal tunnel syndrome.