Scouting report

According to the Canadian Web site NationalPost.com, the Jays intend to promote lefthander David Purcey from Syracuse to make a spot start against the Phillies and struggling Ryan Howard tonight. Purcey is 3-3 in seven starts for Syracuse but has a 2.22 ERA.

The Jays also have our old pal Scott Rolen at third, and the aging veteran still knows how to play the game.

Despite an 0-for-5 night on Tuesday, Rolen was instrumental in a 5-3 Blue Jays win over Minnesota. In the sixth inning, he fouled off 11 pitches from Twins starter Kevin Slowey. Finally, on the 15th pitch, he grounded out.

That drawn-out at-bat pushed Slowey's pitch count past 100. The next batter, Matt Stairs, knocked Slowey out of the game with a home run that gave the Jays a 3-1 lead.

"I don't want to oversensationalize it," Rolen said of the long at-bat. "I made an out. Matty hit a home run. I think credit should be given where credit's due."

Stairs called it an "unbelievable at-bat" that took Slowey over the edge.

Bring your sunblock

The new park would sit on the edge of Tampa Bay and include open-air seating. A sail-like retractable covering would shield fans from rainstorms and the heat, team officials have said.

Those pesky seagulls will have a field day in the open-air seats, though.

Take off the glove

Sheffield had right-shoulder surgery during the off-season to repair a torn labrum. His throwing remains restricted.

"I know his shoulder isn't right, and I didn't think it's made any better by playing the outfield," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "By his own admission, he can barely lob the ball in. We can't go on worrying if he can make a throw or if he'll have to make a throw. I can't really justify that. It's a very awkward situation with nobody really to blame. It's just one of those things."

By force, if needed

General manager Brian Cashman would not respond directly when the New York Times asked him to interpret Steinbrenner's comment. But he did agree that the Yankees need to play better.

Steinbrenner countered by telling the New York Post that he hasn't talked about an extension yet with Cashman, whose contract expires after this season.

"No, I haven't," Steinbrenner said. "At this point, we are all concerned with righting the ship."

Meanwhile, third baseman Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to play in the first of three extended spring-training games tomorrow. A-Rod, out with a strained right quadriceps, hopes to rejoin the team Tuesday.

Post a question or comment for staff writer Don McKee at

http://go.philly.com/askmckee or by e-mail at dmckee@phillynews.com.