Good Report for Pavano

New York Yankee right-hander Carl Pavano threw at the club’s Tampa, Fla., training complex Wednesday for the first time since he bruised his buttocks last week during an exhibition game.

General Manager Brian Cashman said Dr. Robert Watkins saw nothing seriously wrong with the injury-plagued pitcher’s results. If Pavano’s physical therapy continues successfully, he could rejoin the Yankees for further rehabilitation next week.

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Baseball’s average salary rose 9% this year to nearly $2.9 million, with Alex Rodriguez topping a sport in which more than half the players on opening-day rosters make $1 million or more.

The Yankees’ payroll dropped a bit to $198.7 million from $205.9 million last year. Boston was second at $120.1 million, followed by the Angels ($103.6 million), the Chicago White Sox ($102.9 million) and the New York Mets ($100.9 million).