"A flock of scouts descended on George M. Steinbrenner Field yesterday. Asked what they were doing watching the Phillies and Yankees, the answer was universal: normal coverage.

However, teams know the Yankees are looking for starting pitching and ever since GM Brian Cashman said Joba Chamberlain wasn't a lock to make the team on the eve of camp opening because he has options remaining, other teams have been watching the reliever, who has pitched impressively in three of four outings.

"I thought he was very good,'' said a scout whose speed gun clocked Chamberlain's fastball at 94 mph. "He has been throwing well.''"