Tampa Bay (58-82) at New York (78-60), 7:05 p.m. ETBy Bryan Hoch / Special to MLB.com
Chien-Ming Wang will return to the Yankees' rotation after nearly two months on the disabled list when he makes his 13th start of the season on Thursday against the Devil Rays.
The 25-year-old Wang was one of the most impressive stories in the American League in the first half of the season, going 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in his first taste of the Major Leagues.
He missed 52 games with inflammation in his right shoulder, but he hopes to give the Yankees a September boost, taking back his rotation spot from veteran left-hander Al Leiter.
The Devil Rays will tab left-hander Mark Hendrickson with the rubber game start. The 31-year-old Hendrickson is 2-0 in three starts against the Yankees this season, winning both games while opposing Wang.
Pitching matchup TB: LHP Mark Hendrickson • 8-7, 6.09 ERA in 2005 • 2-0, 4.35 ERA vs. NYY in 2005
NYY: RHP Chien-Ming Wang • 6-3, 3.89 ERA in 2005 • 0-2, 7.50 ERA vs. TB in 2005