The LoHud Yankees Blog

Derek Jeter rejoined the Yankees yesterday and he wants to play as often as possible to get ready for the season.

A.J. Burnett looked sharp again last night, this time against the Red Sox. This notebook also has updates on the lineup, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Phil Coke.

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Chad Jennings is down here in Tampa, so check out his blog for news and views from the minor-league camp.

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In case you missed it, check out this strange story regarding Jose Tabata’s wife. The Yankees may have made a smart move with that trade.

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The Yankees are off today. Big Stein Field is closed and the players were told to stay away. However Andy Pettitte wants to stay on turn and will start today for Single-A Tampa over at the complex with Jose Molina catching.

The game is at 1 p.m. and we will be over there to watch the lefty pitch. Check back later for reports.

Jesus Montero belted a grand slam against the Pirates on March 14 and was reassigned to the minor-league camp the next day.

Austin Jackson belted a grand slam today and guess what happened? He was reassigned to the minor-league camp as well. Tough team to make, those Yankees.

But if you have to get cut, Jackson found a good way. After driving a 3-2 pitch over the fence in left, he came back to the clubhouse with a big smile and did an interview with the writers. Joe Girardi then sent Reggie Jackson to get him.

Austin went into the office, got the bad news and came back still smiling. He hit .333 this spring with three homers, 10 RBI, a double and a triple. You don’t like that he struck out 12 times, but that part of his game should improve. Pitch selection is rarely a strength for 22-year-olds who grew up playing as much basketball as baseball.

Mr. October loves him and has worked with Austin for several years, visiting his minor-league teams. He also spent some time with him in the cage this spring. “He’s my man,” Reggie said. “I loved seeing that home run.”

Austin welcomes the advice. If Reggie Jackson talks, you listen.

“It’s a good thing. He works with me in the cage and gets me back zoned in to where I need to be at when I’m struggling a little bit,” Austin said. “It’s good to have a Hall of Famer working with you every day. … If I see a pitch I like, he wants me to let it fly.”

The Yankees have worked with Jackson on how he “loads” his body at the plate, which is essentially a transfer of weight forward in his swing and a shift of his body so he can better pick up pitches.

“I have a lot of things I need to accomplish before I get to the next level,” Jackson said. “I need to recognize off-speed pitches better.”

Said Joe Girardi: “I think he was night and day when compared to last year’s camp, the adjustments that he’s made. He has played heads-up baseball. … He and (Brett) Gardner can bring a lot to a club. It’s not offense, offense, offense. They can run the bases and track down balls. It’s an exciting brand of baseball.”

Jackson will likely start the season with AAA Scranton. He’s an exciting player and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in the Bronx in September and competing for a job next season. I’ve had a chance to spend some time talking with Austin and he has a great personality. I’ll be rooting for him to succeed.

· Eduardo Nunez also was reassigned while Juan Miranda was optioned down. The Yankees have 39 players in camp now.

YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Teixeira 1B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Nady RF
Ransom 3B
Gardner CF

Pitching tonight: A.J. Burnett followed by Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte, Edwar Ramirez and Dave Robertson.

RED SOX
Ellsbury CF
Lowrie SS
Ortiz DH
Carter LF
Baldelli RF
Kottaras C
Wilkerson 1B
Green 2B
Chavez 3B

Pitching tonight: Tim Wakefield, Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez.

Notes: The game will be on YES and WCBS. … Derek Jeter will rejoin the Yankees for the first time since March 1. He was with Team USA playing in the World Baseball Classic. … Back with much more later on.

UPDATE, 2:20 p.m.: That looks like the Opening Day lineup to me.

UPDATE, 3:21 p.m.: Here is Derek Jeter’s interview in the clubhouse this afternoon:

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UPDATE, 3:50 p.m.: The Red Sox lineup has been posted. That’s Chris Carter in left, Nick Green (one-time Yankee) at second and Angel Chavez at third. Nick is likely to make the team as a utility man with Julio Lugo out.

UPDATE, 6:38 p.m.: Both Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi had praise for Ramiro Pena and said he was definitely in the mix for the utility job. Cashman said his glove was “absolutely” major-league caliber. … Phil Coke got another day off with that leg bruise and is now scheduled for Thursday. … The Yankees have to have center field figured out by Sunday or Monday so they can play their regular lineup down the stretch.

UPDATE, 7:02 p.m: Here’s some cool photos courtesy of the Yankees. Angel Nunez (left) and Jeff Gennarelli (right) apply the finishing touches on theinterlocking NY logo as it is painted on the field behind home plate today for the first time at the new Yankee Stadium.

UPDATE, 7:12 p.m.: We’re underway here in Tampa. Big crowd on hand. … Joe Girardi talked some more about Nick Swisher today and said he was watching yesterday to see how he reacted to the news that Nady would be the right fielder. “He was the same guy,” Girardi said. Girardi compared the situation to when he played and the Yankees had guys like Tino Martinez and Cecil Fielder sharing spots. “Sometimes you need to make sacrifices for the good of the team,” he said.

UPDATE, 7:21 p.m.: 1-2-3 for AJB in the first inning. He fanned Ortiz with a change-up on a 1-2 pitch.

UPDATE, 7:24 p.m.: Burnett is scheduled to throw 75 pitches tonight. … Huge cheer for Jeter as he stands in.

UPDATE, 7:30 p.m.: Chris Carter roped a double off Burnett to lead off. The guys who cover the Red Sox say that he can really hit but doesn’t have a position.

UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: Burnett worked out of trouble, getting Baldelli (6-3), Kottaras (F-9) and Wilkerson (P-6) to end the inning.

UPDATE, 7:47 p.m.: Huuuuuuuuge moment for Jorge Posada there as he throws out Jacoby Ellsbury. Looks like the catcher is OK.

UPDATE, 8:08 p.m.: Burnett is dominating the Red Sox. His line so far: 5 1 0 0 1 3. He has gotten nine outs in the ground. Wakefield, in an entirely different fashion, is doing much the same to the Yankees. He has a two-hit shutout.

UPDATE, 8:27 p.m.: Burnett seemed to get a little tired in the sixth inning. Two singles and two walks have led to a run. He leaves with the bases loaded and two outs. Jon Albaladejo in to pitch.

UPDATE, 8:35 p.m.: He’s gritty.

He’s gutty.

Brett Gardner triples to lead off the bottom of the sixth. The ball flicked off the glove of the diving Ellsbury in center and Gardner raced to third base, diving in ahead of the throw. The Little G then scored on a grounder to first.

Does that sequence get him the job? No other Yankee scores that run.

UPDATE, 8:52 p.m.: Counting the Team USA game, Gardner is 21 of 47 this spring with eight extra-base hits. How does he not get the job?

Mo just threw another perfect inning. He has faced 13 hitters and retired 12 this spring. He’s thrown 30 of his 43 pitches for strikes.

UPDATE, 9:42 p.m.: Sorry for the recent lack of updates. Had to do my newspaper work.

The Yankees lead 3-1. Melky walked in the eighth before Ramiro Pena bunted for a single. An error on the play moved Melky to third. Angel Berroa’s double scored Melky. With the bases loaded, a catcher’s interference call while Matsui was batting forced in another run.

Back later with a wrap-up.

UPDATE, 9:44 p.m.: I stuck around the press box to watch Austin Jackson hit. Good call as he drilled a grand slam on a 3-2 pitch. The ball was scorched to left and just inside the foul pole. Three dingers for AJax this spring.

7-1 Yankees now. Great moment for Austin. Cashman said today that he is one of the young players that scouts are buzzing about this spring along with Eduardo Nunez and Ramiro Pena.

Some random baseball thoughts:

· Curt Schilling is a Hall of Fame phony. His performance in front of Congress was one of the all-time fold jobs when he backtracked on his steroid claims. But I’ll miss him. Schilling wrapped his arms around the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry like few others. In a day when most players say it’s just another game, he never did. Plus he was easy to hate and a good villain always makes any story better.

· It was cool that Japan and Korea played in WBC final. It’s a testament to the idea that running the bases, playing defense, bunting and having the pitcher throw breaking pitches at any point in the count actually works. They play baseball now the way Americans did back in the 1950s and 60s.

The Asian players have style, don’t they? Ichiro is a bad ass.

· That said, what incentive is there for MLB teams to keep supporting this event? Derek Jeter has been gone from the Yankees since March 2. He’s had a grand total of 29 at-bats and played six games in the field.

· Yu Darvish? Yu gotta throw strikes, son. Meanwhile, Korea’s Bum Ho Lee has the greatest name in baseball.

· T-Kep, Sandy and I tried to come up with a French WBC team during the rain delay on Monday in Clearwater. We decided the WBC “rules” would certainly allow Juan Pierre on the roster.

· I have an answer to the question, “What player surprised you in Yankees camp?” The answer is Eduardo Nunez. Keep an eye on him this season.

· CC Sabathia actually holds runners. He looks at them, slide steps and everything. This is something no Yankees starter (outside of Mike Mussina) has done in years with any degree of care. No wonder Jorge Posada blew out his shoulder.

· I’d like to see Austin Jackson and Brett Gardner on the same team. You can’t keep up with the Rays with the same old geezers.

· Joe Girardi is really trying to change his style with his players and coaches (and the media, for that matter). But the true test comes when they start playing games that count.

· Scouts from other teams rave about how much pitching the Yankees have in their system and the talent of the players who were with Single-A Charleston last season.

· i find the idea that Derek Jeter should go play the outfield to be ridiculous. We have no idea if he can as he’s literally never played there a day in his life. So his lack of range at shortstop will disappear in the outfield?

He’s your shortstop until his contract expires after the 2010 season. Then you have two choices: Bid him a fond farewell or offer him some sort of DH/super utility role at a respectful salary.

The Yankees painted themselves into a corner when they signed Posada for four years, A-Rod for 10 (Seriously, great idea Hank. Just excellent.) and Mark Teixeira for eight. You can’t move Jeter to first or third and Posada isn’t going to be an everyday catcher forever. He’ll DH at some point.

· It’s is pointless now to debate whether Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher starts in right field. What is important is how well Girardi uses Nady, Swisher, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. Working those four players into three spots will be a daily question for him.

NON-BASEBALL MATTERS

· The NCAA tournament has been sort of boring so far. Of the top 16 seeds, 14 made it to the Sweet 16. The other two are fifth-seeded Purdue and Arizona, a powerhouse program that landed a No. 12 seed. My Final Four — Pitt, Oklahoma, Michigan State and Missouri — is alive.

· It’s hard to take the NCAA women’s tournament seriously when seventh-seeded Rutgers hosts second-seeded Auburn in the second round. How is that fair?

· Somebody needs to tell Jay Cutler that he’s not good enough to complain about the Broncos looking at other quarterbacks.

· The iPhone has an application called Shazam that “listens” to a song, identifies it and then provides a link to iTunes to download it. I’ve picked up a few songs off the Nick Swisher playlist with it. Live Your Life from T.I. and Rihanna is a new fave.

· The new Facebook layout is egregiously awful. I spend easily 50 percent less time on the site as a result.

· Friday Night Lights is all-consuming. I want Bill Belichick to hire Coach Taylor to run his offense. Meanwhile, how does any college recruit Tim Riggins? He never goes to school or practice. Somebody needs to tell the writers that every high school game doesn’t go down to the final play. The Panthers need a few blowouts.

· Finally, a sincere thanks to everybody who has said hello during spring training. It has been a real pleasure to get to meet so many nice people. The best part about covering the Yankees is that so many folks have a genuine love of the team and are invested in the coverage.

It was never really a decision. But Joe Girardi said yesterday that Xavier Nady will be his right fielder. Nick Swisher wasn’t real happy but vowed not to make waves.

Derek Jeter returns to the team today. This notebook also has word on a winding road for Jorge Posada and Chien-Ming Wang, another rough day for Brian Bruney, a semi update on A-Rod and pitching plans for the Cubs game.

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Red Sox-Yankees in Tampa tonight at 7:15 p.m. The game is on YES and WCBS. Back around 2 p.m. or so with the lineup.

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This from the Yankees:

TICKETS FOR EXHIBITION AND REGULAR SEASON GAMES TO GO ON SALE ON-LINE ONLY TODAY AT 10:00 AM AND EVERYWHERE ELSE ON MARCH 25; YANKEES TO OFFER SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL-GAME VALUE PROGRAMS

Tickets for individual games to see the 26-time World Champion New York Yankees in the inaugural season at Yankee Stadium will go on sale today at 10:00 AM at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com only. Beginning Wednesday, March 25, tickets may also be purchased at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, at all area Ticketmaster outlets, via Ticketmaster by phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327, and at all Yankees Clubhouse Shops.

As in past years, the Yankees will make available individual-game ticket value programs throughout the 2009 season. A complete list of ticket specials, including game dates, seating locations, and terms and conditions, can be found at www.yankees.com/ticketspecials, by calling (718) 293-6000 or e-mailing tickets@yankees.com.

· $5 Games – For select games throughout the season, tickets in select areas of the Terrace and Grandstand Levels and Bleachers will be $5. Tickets for $5 Games may be purchased in advance or on the day of the game. Available games include: 4/20 vs. Oakland, 4/21 vs. Oakland, 5/7 vs. Tampa Bay, 5/20 vs. Baltimore, 6/3 vs. Texas, 6/17 vs. Washington, 7/2 vs. Seattle, 7/20 vs. Baltimore, 8/11 vs. Toronto, 8/27 vs. Texas, 9/15 vs. Toronto and 9/28 vs. Kansas City.

· Youth Games – All fans 14 and younger, when accompanied by an adult, can purchase half-price tickets for Saturday games. Tickets are available only on the day of game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows.

· Student Games – Students who present their valid high school or college ID cards when purchasing tickets for any Wednesday game can receive one half-price ticket in designated seating locations. Tickets are available only on the day of game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows.

· Senior Citizen Games – Senior Citizens (60 and older) can purchase $5 tickets for any Monday through Thursday game in designated seating locations. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day of game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows ONLY. Tickets will not be held for either advance or day of game sales. All tickets are first come first served. A valid form of identification must be presented at the time of purchase.

· Family Games – Families can enjoy specially priced tickets on designated Monday through Thursday games in April, May and September. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day of game.

· Value Pack Games – For select games, groups of four fans can get a great deal at an affordable price. Each Value Pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four non-alcoholic beverages and one New York Yankees Official 2009 Yearbook.

Tickets to the first two exhibition contests at Yankee Stadium vs. the Chicago Cubs on April 3 at 7:05 p.m. and April 4 at 1:05 p.m. will also go on sale on Tuesday, March 24 at 10:00 AM at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com only and everywhere else on Wednesday, March 25.

For the exhibition games vs. the Cubs, Bleachers tickets will be 25¢ and Grandstand tickets will be $1.10—the same prices they were the day the original Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923. Tickets on the Terrace Level will cost between $20-35, tickets on the Main Level will be priced between $20-45, and tickets on the Field Level will range from $45-$50.

The 26-time World Champion Yankees will begin their 81-game home regular season schedule on Thursday, April 16 at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Cleveland Indians.

The Yankee Stadium Ticket Office is located outside the new Yankee Stadium adjacent to Gate 4 on 161st Street and Jerome Avenue. Beginning March 25, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This press release from the Yankees …

YANKEES AND LEGENDS HOSPITALITY TO DEBUT NEW GENERAL CONCESSIONS LINEUP IN YANKEE STADIUM; FOCUS PLACED ON QUALITY, CONVENIENCE, VARIETY AND VALUE

THE NEW YORK YANKEES announced today their new general concessions lineup for the 2009 season. Led by Legends Hospitality, the exclusive provider of concessions, catering and merchandising services at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees are committed to bringing QUALITY, CONVENIENCE, VARIETY and VALUE to fans in the inaugural season of Yankee Stadium.

QUALITY

Beginning this season, the Yankees are implementing a “Fresh-To-Order” system, which will provide fans with the freshest and hottest possible food.

Approximately 70% of the newly constructed concession areas in Yankee Stadium will have cooking capability – almost twice the 40% standard for new ballpark construction and five times the 14% that existed in the original Yankee Stadium. This capability will allow the Yankees to drastically reduce the amount of pre-wrapped food throughout the Stadium.

One of the most unique characteristics of the Stadium, and an example of the Yankees’ commitment to serve “Fresh-To-Order,” is a window found in the left-field concourse of the Field Level where fans can see butchers from Lobel’s of New York preparing prime, dry-aged steaks to be served in various locations in the Stadium. Fresh Lobel’s steak sandwiches will be sold on a cart outside this location.

CONVENIENCE

Concessions have been designed with the fan in mind. With 25 permanent concessions stands and 112 portable locations, lines will be shorter and fans can return sooner to their seats to enjoy the game. The point-of-sale ratio for fans has increased by over 50% from the original Stadium. Moreover, no matter where fans are in the Stadium, they will be able to keep in touch with the game. Open concourses throughout the Stadium will allow continuous viewing of the action on the field while at concession stands. Further, hundreds of state-of-the-art high-definition video monitors placed at concession stands and in dining areas will carry the live broadcast of the game. Credit cards (Mastercard, American Express and Visa) will be accepted at all stands and, for the first time, at all carts. Great locations to purchase food and drink include the Food Court on the third-base side of the Field Level, the Main Level Beer Garden and the Bleachers Café in center field.

VARIETY

Fans visiting Yankee Stadium will immediately notice the increased range of options, with something for every taste from traditional favorites to New York’s best foods making their Stadium debut, along with new cuisine, healthy alternatives and child-friendly options.

Traditional Favorites:

o Bazzini nuts
o Carl’s Steaks
o Carvel Ice Cream
o Cracker Jack
o Famous Famiglia Pizza
o French’s Mustard
o Hebrew National
o Heinz Ketchup
o Mike’s Arthur Avenue Italian Deli, featuring zeppoli and antipasto
o Nathan’s Famous, serving hot dogs in natural casing
o New York Pretzel
o Premio Sausage, serving grilled coiled sausages
o Poland Spring Water
o Tyson chicken
o Utz Potato Chips

Stadium Debuts:

o Boar’s Head made-to-order deli sandwich stand, including soups and salads
o Brother Jimmy’s BBQ
o Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee
o Highlanders traditional ballpark food with a New York flair, including hot dogs with sauerkraut and “pushcart” onions
o Johnny Rockets
o Lobel’s of New York
o Moe’s Southwest Grill
o Otis Spunkmeyer
o Pepsi Cola Products, including Lipton Iced Tea, Tropicana Lemonade and Gatorade
o Tommy Bahama’s Bar serving mixed drinks
o Turkey Hill Ice Cream

New Cuisine:

o Garlic Fries stand, a staple of West Coast ballparks
o Latin Corner, serving hot-pressed Cuban sandwiches, nachos and burritos
o Noodle Bowls stand with other Asian-inspired items
o Soy Kitchen sushi and salads
o Triple Play Grill, offering beef and chicken sliders, and Lobel’s steak sandwiches

Healthy Alternatives and Specialty Items:
o Melissa’s, a traditional farmers market, carrying fresh fruits and vegetables
o Various Glatt Kosher options

Child-Friendly Options

o The Big Apple stand, offering candy, caramel and chocolate-dipped apples
o Dale and Thomas popcorn stand
o Kids Cart with school-lunch favorites and smaller-portion items, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, milk, small hot dogs and Kozy Shack Pudding

VALUE

The Yankees continue to offer exceptional value on food and merchandise. They are offering a $3 hot dog, a $3 soft drink and a $6 beer. Traditional Stadium fare, such as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, sausages and Cracker Jack, remain the same price as last season. New sizes of soda, many including a souvenir cup, are offered at a variety of prices. In addition, a Family Value Line of merchandise has been created with low-priced items, including pennants, Yankees T-shirts, key chains, and more.

FULL-SERVICE DINING

Stadium attendees and the general public will have the opportunity to enjoy full-service dining at restaurants in Yankee Stadium all year long. The Hard Rock Cafe and NYY Steak will provide upscale alternatives to Stadium concessions and exciting new dining options for the neighborhood with entrances both inside the Stadium and at street level. The Hard Rock Cafe, located at Gate 6 on the corner of 161st Street and River Avenue, will house memorabilia from top artists with an emphasis on New York talent. NYY Steak located above the Hard Rock Cafe, will offer a first-class dining experience with a menu featuring USDA prime dry-aged beef, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list.

NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH

The Yankees want to ensure that the local Bronx community and the greater New York metropolitan area are positively affected by as many aspects of the new Stadium project as possible. To that end, the Yankees are proud to have hired approximately 4,000 union workers to staff concessions in the Stadium throughout the season, with approximately 2,500 individuals working on any given game day. Additionally, the Yankees will continue their policy of donating leftover edible food to those in need, this year working with the Rock and Wrap It Up program and the Food Bank of New York, which will work together in picking up food from the Stadium and delivering it to shelters, soup kitchens, senior centers, youth programs and other emergency and community food programs throughout the Bronx.

GREEN INITIATIVES

Concession operations incorporate the eco-friendly initiatives found throughout the facility. The Yankees Sustainability Facility Program ensures the efficiency of all equipment while focusing on energy reduction. Beverage cups in the Stadium are made of biodegradable material instead of petroleum-based plastics, and the Yankees are committed to purchasing paper products that are 100% recyclable. By composting and recycling cardboard, glass, metal, plastics and paper, approximately 40% of the Stadium’s trash should be diverted away from landfills, resulting in fewer trash pickups.

GATE OPENINGS

Yankee Stadium concessions will begin serving food when Stadium gates open, approximately three hours prior to the scheduled start times of games. Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. for games with a 1:05 p.m. scheduled start time, at 1:00 p.m. for 4:10 p.m. starts, at 4:00 p.m. for 7:05 p.m. starts, and at 5:00 p.m. for 8:05 p.m. starts.

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Pepsi instead of Coke? The Yankees are Coke and the Mets are Pepsi. This is an outrage.

We tried this for the first time on March 5, so it’s time for another shot.

OPENING DAY ROSTER
Lineup
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Teixeira 1B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Nady RF
Ransom 3B
Gardner CF

Bench
Swisher 1B-RF-LF
Molina C
Cabrera OF
Berroa 2B-SS-3B

Rotation
Sabathia
Wang
Burnett
Pettitte
Chamberlain

Bullpen
Rivera
Bruney
Marte
Veras
Ramirez
Coke
Tomko

Changes from the last time: Tomko is now ahead of Aceves and Geise for the long-man spot. … Looks like Edwar Ramirez has made it back from his injury. Joe Girardi seems to love him, but I’d rather have Dave Robertson.

Strengths: The rotation is clearly imposing. I mean, Joba Chamberlain is the No. 5. … The bullpen will be strong and will get stronger once they mix in another power arm. … The lineup will do just fine even without A-Rod for a while.

Weaknesses: The bench isn’t much beyond Swisher. I personally don’t see the need to keep Cabrera around if he can’t beat out Gardner. I’d rather have an extra infielder or an extra catcher so Posada can DH once a week without any concerns. … Berroa is just a place holder until A-Rod gets back although Ramiro Pena might be a better choice. … Matsui remains a health concern but Posada seems to have bounced back well.

Possible moves: Ransom looks like a safe bet to start the season at third base. But it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Brian Cashman goes out and gets somebody. … What looks like wishful thinking in Angels camp has the Yankees being interested in Gary Matthews Jr. But Anaheim would have to eat a huge chunk of the $33 million he has left on his foolish contract.

The captain of the Yankees, Derek Jeter, will return tomorrow and play shortstop against those no-good Boston Red Sox. The Yankees would have been OK with him not playing until Thursday.

In other news …

· Brian Bruney, he of the 7.56 ERA in spring training, joked about whether he would make the team. Joe Girardi said that wasn’t in doubt. But Girardi was dead serious when he said Bruney needed to get himself going.

Bruney has allowed three homers in 8.1 innings.

· Nick Swisher was not thrilled to learn he would be on the bench. He and Girardi met this morning back in Tampa. But Swisher kept his composure when talking about it, saying he thought carefully about what he wanted to say.

“You might say something that will come out the wrong way. I’m not going to do that,” he said. “This is a great team and we have an opportunity to do some wonderful things this year. I want to be a part of that; I want to win. Coming over here, that was the biggest thing, I want to win. But I also want to be a part. I’ve played every day pretty much my whole career. I think there’s going to be a lot of at-bats out there for me. I’ve got to be ready when I’m told I’m ready to play.

“I don’t know how to put it. I don’t know how I’m feeling or whatever. I just know I want to be in there everyday. That’s it, that’s what I can say.”

· Dan Giese and Brett Tomko will pitch against the Braves on Saturday in Orlando. CMW will pitch in a minor-league game.

· A-Rod will apparently not get back to Tampa while the team is still here. His rehab will continue in Colorado. Insert joke on hookers here.

· Here’s how you know the season is dawning: clubhouse manager Rob Cucuzza was walking around today with a chart of the clubhouse at the new Stadium letting guys pick their lockers. Most of the big-name guys have already made their choice.

· Jorge Posada on his travels today: “It was like Little League, looking for a dry field to play.” Said Wang: “Like kids, we went everywhere.”

YANKEES
(New lineup)
Posada C
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Nady RF
Cano 2B
Ransom 3B
Cabrera CF
Pena SS
Wang RHP

Pitching today: Brett Tomko followed by Dave Robertson, Jon Albaladejo, Dan Giese and Brian Bruney.

PHILLIES
Bruntlett 3B
Werth CF
Utley 2B
Howard 1B
Ibanez LF
Stairs RF
Donald SS
Paulino C
J.A. Happ RHP

Pitching today: Happ followed by Clay Condrey, Scott Eyre and Brad Lidge.

Notes: Chien-Ming Wang will hang back in Tampa and pitch in a minor-league game as the Yankees do not want him to swing a bat. Based on the minor-league schedule, it looks like Wang will pitch for Single-A Tampa against Toronto prospects. … After not playing at Clearwater all spring, the Yankees are there today and again on Thursday.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 10:00 a.m.: Girardi said this morning that if the season started tomorrow, Xavier Nady would be his right fielder based on what he did last season.

UPDATE, 11:46 p.m.: The minor-league game in Tampa was rained out. Wang and Posada are headed to Dunedin to play in the AAA game.

UPDATE, 12:19 p.m.: The tarp is on the field here. No word yet on whether they will play.

UPDATE, 12:42 p.m.: OK, now we’re hearing that CMW got rained out in Dunedin and is headed here with Jorge Posada. So stay tuned for a lineup change.

UPDATE, 1:05 p.m.: CMW and Posada have arrived and the lineup has been changed. They’re also preparing to pull the tarp.

So … Wanger and Posada started the day in Tampa. Then then they went to Dunedin. Now they’re in Clearwater. They’re 0 for 2 in terms of rainouts.

UPDATE, 2:05 p.m.: This is hilarious. Wang is standing in the back far corner of the batters box not swinging the bat under orders. J.A. Happ fell behind 3-1 before striking Wang out as Joe Girardi watched nervously.

No score going into the bottom of the second.

UPDATE, 2:40 p.m.: Wang up again. 2-0 count. J.A. Happ should be ashamed of himself.

UPDATE, 2:41 p.m.: Wang fans looking. He has seen 11 pitches in two at-bats despite not being allowed to swing. He’s just so terrifying at the plate.

It’s 1-1 in the middle of the fourth.

UPDATE, 2:51 p.m.: Wang is pitching well despite his journeys today. He has allowed one run on three hits over four innings. Still 1-1. Plus he has seen more pitches than Melky and Robbie do in a week.

UPDATE, 3:03 p.m.: Xavier Nady’s RBI single gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Then Wang had a 1-2-3 fifth inning. CMW has 65 pitches through five innings. He might stay out there for another inning.

UPDATE, 3:09 p.m.: Clay Condrey saw the scouting report as he struck Wang out on three pitches. CMW looked like Manny facing Mariano last summer.

2-1 Yankees.

UPDATE, 3:17 p.m.: Wang allowed a double and a single to start the inning and was pulled. Melky might have had a chance to throw the runner out at the plate but he overran the ball in center.

UPDATE, 3:21 p.m.: It’s raining pretty hard here. Not sure why they are still playing.

UPDATE, 3:29 p.m.: Rough inning for Brian Bruney as Matt Stairs homers to center. 5-2 Phillies.

UPDATE, 3:35 p.m.: The Yankees just announced that Kei Igawa has been reassigned to the minor-league camp.

UPDATE, 3:47 p.m.: Miguel Cairo homers and it’s 8-2.

Jorge Posada threw out three runners in a minor-league game and said his shoulder is back to 100 percent.

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