This AL Midweek Series Matchup column previews seven three-game interleague series, all with AL home teams.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (RHP, BOS) returned to BOS rotation Saturday, after more than a year since his last start. A solid, though not spectacular, outing provides owners hope that he is trending more towards his minor league rehab numbers than his last 250 major league innings. Within the same division, BAL Opening Day starter Jake Arrieta (RHP, BAL) was sent to the bullpen due to some very unlucky surface stats.

Utility players veteran Jerry Hairston (IF/OF, LA) and rookie Elian Herrera (3B/2B/OF, LA) recently have seized regular PT spread among multiple positions while swinging hot bats amidst a spate of LA injuries. Herrera entered Friday having started 17 of 19 games. The initial 2B replacement for injured starter Mark Ellis (2B, LA), Herrera has more recently split time between 3B and CF, with Hairston settling in at 2B. Hairston has started 10 of 14 games, with his last six starts at 2B, since his May 25 activation from the DL.

When I began covering injuries back in 1993, Tommy John surgery was not nearly as successful as it is now. Torn labrums, flexor mass injuries, modified Mumford surgery, microfracture knee surgery and others were rarely reported because they either didn’t exist or the journalist reporting on the injury did not report true name for various reasons. And oblique injuries? Very, very rare.

The Rangers on Thursday placed Derek Holland (LHP, TEX) on the 15-day DL with what was officially described as "shoulder fatigue." Plus Jason Bay and Ike Davis, the PHI 2B situation and more ...

This NL Weekend Series Matchups column will cover eight three-game interleague series and one three-game NL-only series.

Andy Pettitte and the Yankees will host the Mets in this first installment of this year's Subway Series.

Brian Roberts could make his MLB debut for BAL in less than a week, creating problems for slump-ridden Robert Andino. Alex Avila hits the DL, OAK changes 1B again, and more ...

Huston Street (RHP, SD), who has missed the past month due to a lat strain, was activated from the disabled list, and should immediately return to the closer role. He has posted a triple-digit BPV each of the past three seasons, and was off to a strong start this year as well. Prior to suffering the injury, Street appeared in 10 games, collecting four saves, with a 0.93 ERA and 6.5 Cmd.

Desmond Jennings should be back in the leadoff spot and LF for TAM vs. NYY on Tuesday. The black hole that is the Dodger 1B spot gets another candidate, Vance Worley returns, and more ...

Matt LaPorta... Brett Wallace... Fernando Martinez... At one point, all occupied lofty positions on many a prospect ranking list. Now, all three are back in the majors. What are their chances of success, and how long might they stay?