WEBER STILL AT LOFTY .550 WITH YANKEES; DE HOYOS AND CODY CLARK ALSO EARN SOME INK

Jon Weber's spring batting average is continuing to drop. That is what happens when someone starts out above the .700 level. Poor guy!

The non-roster outfielder with the World Champion New York Yankees "only" went 1-for-3 Saturday, and his average dropped from .588 to .550. This veteran of the Independent Baseball world, who still is looking for that elusive first regular-season at-bat, has gone an impressive 11-for-20 for the Tampa-based Yankees while playing largely in rightfield or DHing. The 11 hits have him one safety behind team leader Robinson Cano.

Weber, whose Independent experience came in the Northern League (Fargo, ND) and Frontier League (Canton, OH), has five runs, five RBI and three doubles.

It seems impossible the Yankees' decision-makers could be overlooking the veteran's bat and hustle, whether he makes the Opening Day roster or is merely kept in mind when there is a need later in the American League season.

A FAMILIAR NAME SHOWS UP

Gabe DeHoyos was a spring training invitee of the San Diego Padres one year ago. I must admit I lost track after last season until the 29-year-old showed up in a box score with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim a couple of days ago. The right-hander, who once played for the Schaumburg (IL) Flyers in the Northern League, was touched for two hits and two runs in his inning of work.

Meanwhile, the positive results continue to pile up for former Atlantic Leaguers Michael Ryan (Somerset, NJ) and Cory Aldridge (Newark, NJ) as they bid for an outfield job--most likely one spot is open, at most--with the Angels. Ryan carried a .381 average (8-for-21) into Sunday with Aldridge at .364 (8-for-22). They have terrific on-base percentages, with Ryan at .462 and Aldridge at .440.

HOW MUCH DOES A .750 AVERAGE HELP?

It seems like a very long shot for minor league catching veteran Cody Clark to break camp with the Kansas City Royals because of his limited Triple-A time and the presence of Jason Kendall and backup Brayan Pena on the 40-man roster, but the 28-year-old Arkansas lad should carry some great memories if his time with the big league club ends.

Clark, the No. 1 backstop with the San Diego Surf Dawgs (Golden League) in 2005, has three hits in four official at-bats spread over five spring training games. He has scored three runs and driven in two.

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