The Yankees got just four wins and seventeen appearances for their investment last year, as Pavano was troubled by shoulder problems that forced him to end his season prematurely by late June.

This year, Pavano, who celebrated in Yankee Stadium with the rest of his Florida Marlins teammates after winning the 2003 World Series, suffered a setback in Spring Training when he injured his lower back.

Just five days after a May 7th rehab appearance in Single-A Tampa where he allowed three unearned runs on four hits over five innings of work, the comeback trail led Pavano back to Trenton, one step closer to the site of his Fall Classic triumph.

Despite being a veteran of eight big league seasons, Pavano was treated like just another player by Masse, who's had players from Jason Giambi to Orlando Hernandez make rehab assignments on his teams.

"He was on a pitch count of around 90," Masse said, "most of the guys I have starting are at around 100."

In his first Double-A start since that playoff loss to Harrisburg, 7,119 fans packed the house to see Pavano breeze through six strong innings, allowing one run on just three hits. Flawless through three, he retired the first nine Bowie Baysox batters he faced before a Jeff Fiorentino bunt single squashed any dreams of a perfect return.

After the game, Pavano was confident that he'd made some progress since his last rehab start.

"I think my location was better," Pavano said, "I think my slider was better, and I just think I was overall better. I think it was a step better than the last one, and I expect the next one to do the same."

With several members of the Yankees brass on hand, including famed scout Gene Michael, Pavano gave every indication that his next World Series celebration would be coming soon...and would be coming in pinstripes.

Thunder Notes: Pavano became the 11th Yankee to make a rehab assignment in Trenton since the franchise switched affiliations from Boston to New York after the 2002 season. Pavano becomes the fifth All-Star to make the trip as a Yankee, joining Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Kenny Lofton and Kevin Brown...Eastern League rosters were cut by one player to 24 on May 5th, and the Yankees released pitcher Michael Brunet to get under the limit.

Around the Eastern League: Connecticut Defenders catcher Justin Knoedler was called up to the big leagues by San Francisco, just in time to see Barry Bonds' 713th career home run, one short of Babe Ruth's career total of 714. Knoedler did not appear in a game before being sent to Triple-A Fresno.

"I saw him hit 700 in 2004," Knoedler said in April, "And then last year he came back from missing the entire season and in his first at-bat, (he) hits a double.

Contact Mike at: mashmore@patriotsbaseball.com