Kazmir's next start: April 2, 2007

The Devil Rays made the appropriately cautious decision in shutting down LHP Scott Kazmir for the season. Whatever good may have come of allowing him to test his sore shoulder in the final week of the season - and in the chilly air of Boston or Cleveland nonetheless - was outweighed by the potential risk of something going wrong. He threw in the outfield on Monday, said he felt "perfect" and that should be good enough for everyone. Opening day 2007 at Yankee Stadium will have to due for his next start.

One of the most interesting developments regarding the Rays is actually taking place tonight in Toronto. If the Yankees beat the Jays , they will have the chance to clinch the AL East on Wednesday at the Rogers Centre if the Red Sox lose either tonight or Wednesday to the Twins. But if the total of Yankees wins and Sox losses over Tuesday doesn't add up to three, then the Yankees will bring their clinching party to Tropicana Field on Friday.

Going into play Tuesday, Rocco Baldelli has been the AL's hottest hitter over the last month, with a .381 average. And Delmon Young had a 12-game hitting streak, one game shy of Baldelli's 2003 team rookie record.