May 5 Preview..."Wang aims for first win of season"

By Caleb Breakey / MLB.com

Jeff Weaver is coming back to Yankee Stadium.

The 30-year-old right-hander wore pinstripes for 1 1/2 seasons in the 2002 and '03 seasons, compiling a 12-12 record in 47 starts. He owned an ERA of 4.04 in his half-season with the Yankees, but he posted a 5.99 ERA the following year.

Chien-Ming Wang (0-2, 5.84 ERA) will counter for the Yankees, making his third start of an injury-riddled season in which he hasn't found pinpoint command of his pitches.

The Yankees acquired Weaver in a three-way trade with the Athletics and Tigers about three weeks before the 2002 trade deadline. The Yankees then traded Weaver to the Dodgers prior to the 2004 season as part of the Kevin Brown deal.

Yankees manager Joe Torre thought Weaver would stay in St. Louis this season after earning a World Series ring with the Cardinals last year.

"That's probably the most success he's had over a period of time," Torre said.

Pitching matchup

NYY: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-2, 5.84 ERA)Wang had control problems in his last start against the Red Sox and eventually left the game because of a cracked fingernail. Wang hopes to find the command that accompanied his pitches in 2006, when he won 19 games.

SEA: RHP Jeff Weaver (0-4, 18.26 ERA)Weaver is in a tough spot. Odds are that he'll need a solid start to stay in the Mariners' rotation, but it comes against a powerful Yankees lineup. Weaver has posted a career 7-6 record at Yankee Stadium.

Player to watch

No Mariners player has had more than 14 career at-bats against Wang, but first baseman Richie Sexson has hit the right-hander consistently, posting a .400 average with a double in 10 trips to the plate.