Dotel close: After striking out two hitters and allowing one hit in one inning with Double-A Trenton on Tuesday night, Octavio Dotel should only need one more rehab outing before once again joining the Yankees.

Cano shut down: Robinson Cano was forced to stop his rehab Tuesday and did not do any activities again Wednesday. Cano, who has been rehabbing his injured hamstring in Tampa, Fla., was running the bases when he felt some pain in the same place rounding third base. It was at the end of a long rehab session.

"We just want to make sure we don't ignore it," Torre said. "I'm curious to see how the weekend goes and then we'll work it out."

Cano will resume his usual running, fielding and hitting activities Thursday and it's still unknown when the All-Star second baseman will be able to return to the Yankees.

Pavano speeding: Frustrated with the slow progress of his rehabilitation, Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched in a Major League game in more than a year, asked for his program to be accelerated. He was pitching before Wednesday's game and may start throwing breaking balls soon.

General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear that pitching prospect Philip Hughes is as close to untouchable as any player in the Yankees' farm system.

But what about Melky Cabrera?

According to a Major League executive, the Yankees and Pirates have discussed a deal that would send the young outfielder to Pittsburgh in exchange for outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and first baseman/outfielder Craig Wilson.

Pittsburgh originally asked for Hughes earlier in the season, but the Yankees told the Pirates that the right-hander was not available.

In less than two weeks, the nomadic adventures of Royals right fielder Reggie Sanders may land him in one of the few cities he hasn't played in during his 16-year career: New York.

With the Royals in last place in the American League Central, they have become attractive to teams such as the Yankees, who are looking to add one final piece to a championship puzzle.

Due to the injuries to outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui, the Yankees have shown interest in Sanders. Sanders is one of only six players in history to hit 300 home runs and have 300 stolen bases in his career.

"Right field is the spot we're playing with," Joe Torre said in the New York Times. "If there's something that makes sense and is going to make us better or give us more security, we've got to go after it."