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Yankees begin life without Rodriguez vs. Tigers

Apr 30, 2008 - 2:15 PM Detroit (12-15) at NY Yankees (14-14) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees will be down two of their high-priced superstars when they host the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.

The Yankees are expected to place reigning American League MVP Alex Rodriguez on the disabled list before the game due to a strained right quad. Rodriguez suffered the injury on April 20 but returned after a four game-absence only to aggravate the injury again on Monday.

The slugger, who has not been on the DL since 2000, will join catcher Jorge Posada in the trainer's room for the next two weeks.

Without the pair on Tuesday, the Yankees fell, 6-4, in the series opener. Curtis Granderson and Gary Sheffield homered and Kenny Rogers tossed six solid innings in the win.

Placido Polanco showed signs of breaking out of his slump for the Tigers, going 4-for-5 to raise his average from .174 to .215.

Andy Pettitte (3-2, 3.23 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees on Wednesday. The veteran lefthander is coming off his worst stat of the year, allowing five runs - four earned - and eight hits in five innings to suffer a loss against Cleveland on Friday.

New York has juggled Pettitte's spot in the rotation recently, moving him in between youngsters Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy in the rotation to help the club avoid losing streaks. Hughes was the losing pitcher on Tuesday.

Detroit will counter with righthander Jeremy Bonderman (1-2, 4.28). The 25-year-old will attempt to make it through seven innings for the first time this season.

Control problems have taken Bonderman out of games early of late, as he has combined to issue 13 walks in just 9 2/3 innings over his past two starts.