The Yankees’ biggest concern is Luis Vizcaino, not Roger Clemens. Vizcaino has been for manager Joe Torre what he was for the White Sox’s Ozzie Guillen in 2005 — that is, a human security blanket — but the strain of 70 appearances by Sept. 4 caught up to him. The Yankees hope his shoulder will bounce back after he takes this weekend off. If Vizcaino doesn’t bounce back, that will put more of a burden on Joba Chamberlain, as Kyle Farnsworth is the next best alternative. Chamberlain hasn’t been allowed to work consecutive days, but that could change. … Carlos Delgado’s hip injury has heightened concern about the Mets’ lineup. David Wright has been carrying Willie Randolph’s team but figures to get pitched around without Delgado. … The Red Sox are worried that both of their Japanese pitchers, Daisuke Matsuzaka and setup man Hideki Okajima, will be out of gas in October. The American season is longer than the Japanese season. … Speaking of Japan, center fielder Kosuke Fokudome is recovering from shoulder surgery that ended his 2007 season but is expected to still be on the free-agent market in November. He could be an option for the White Sox if they don’t land Torii Hunter. … Tampa Bay’s hitters have been killing the ball since hitting coach Steve Henderson met with them after a loss on Aug. 23. Their surge creates another race worth watching — the Devil Rays, White Sox, Marlins, Orioles and Pirates for the first overall pick in the 2008 draft. The players expected to be under consideration include University of Texas outfielder Jordan Danks, the brother of Sox left-hander John Danks; Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez, South Carolina first baseman Justin Smoak and Wichita State right-hander Aaron Shafer. … The Cardinals insist Mark Mulder was better than the numbers in his return from rotator cuff surgery last Wednesday, when he gave up six runs in four innings. … One of Ernie Banks’ records will fall the next time Troy Tulowitzki hits a homer. The Colorado shortstop entered the weekend with 19 homers, tied with Banks’ NL mark for a rookie shortstop. Nomar Garciaparra hit 30 for Boston in 1997.
