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RHP Kennedy returns to Yankees

Aug 8, 2008 - 10:07 AM New York (63-52) at Los Angeles (71-43) 10:05 p.m. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- It is up to rookie Ian Kennedy to bolster the New York Yankees' rotation after Joba Chamberlain landed on the disabled list.

Kennedy is expected to make his first start for the Yankees since May 27 when the team opens a series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday.

The 23-year-old righthander, Kennedy has spent a majority of 2008 in the minors after posting an 0-3 record and 7.41 ERA in nine games - eight starts - with New York and spending a stint on the disabled list with bursitis.

However, in nine games - eight starts - with Scranton, Kennedy has gone 4-2 with a 2.14 ERA, including a 3-0 mark and 1.33 ERA in his last four starts there, making him the obvious choice to replace Chamberlain, who was put on the shelf Wednesday with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder.

The Yankees could provide Kennedy with plenty of run support as they pounded out 22 runs in salvaging the final two games against the Angels during a four-game series last week.

Jered Weaver (9-9, 4.37 ERA) will try to reverse that trend for Anaheim, which owns the best record in the majors and is the only team with 70 wins.

Weaver makes his second consecutive start against New York after surrendering six runs and eight hits, including four home runs, in five innings, walking one while striking out five during the Angels' 8-2 loss on Saturday.