The LoHud Yankees Blog

After last night’s game in Sarasota, the Yankees clubhouse was not the most alert or busy place this morning. “I had to ask what day it was,” Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees bus is making it way to Orlando for this afternoon’s game against the Braves. Girardi’s not on the players bus, but we can be sure he won’t be driving himself. Turns out, his keys went missing last night in Sarasota and he had to leave his rental truck at the Orioles ballpark.

Kevin Long is a suspect in the case. He apparently borrowed the keys to get his hat out of Girardi’s truck. Long claims he gave them back. Girardi doesn’t remember getting them.

It’s a very sensitive and delicate situation.

• Still no diagnosis on Colin Curtis, who still has his arm in a sling. He can’t move it up and down too well. “Kind of unlucky,” he said. “Sick catch though.”

• No significant concern about Greg Golson, who felt some stiffness in his rib cage yesterday. Girardi said there are no tests scheduled. Turns out, Golson felt some discomfort when he woke up yesterday, but he thought it was normal soreness and decided to play through it. He had to be taken out of last night’s game. “Hopefully it’s not too long,” Girardi said.

• Ronnie Belliard is doing hitting, fielding and base running drills this morning. He’s expected to get in a game later this week. “He’s actually progressed a little bit quicker than we thought (he would),” Girardi said.

• Jorge Posada could get in a game at first base later this week.

• Andrew Brackman will make his first spring appearance today. The Yankees have been wildly impressed by Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances, now it’s Brackman’s turn. He’s been slowed by a groin injury, and Girardi said the only concern is that he’ll try to do too much to make up for lost time. “We have to make sure we watch that,” Girardi said.

• By the way… Any chance Brackman could eventually pitch his way into the bullpen this year? “I think that’s something you could definitely consider,” Girardi said.

• Phil Hughes, David Phelps and Steve Garrison had sides today.

• Available in the bullpen: Dellin Betances, Dave Robertson, Andrew Brackman, Robert Fish, Warner Madrigal, Romulo Sanchez, Daniel Turpen, Brian Anderson and Eric Wordekemper.

• Off the bench: C Gustavo Molina, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Kevin Russo, SS Doug Bernier, 3B Brad Suttle, LF Austin Krum, CF Melky Mesa, RF Jordan Paraz.

• There is no backup DH listed, suggesting the Yankees are going to let Posada get a full game of at-bats.

Brett Gardner LF
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Jorge Posada DH
Jesus Montero C
Jorge Vazquez 1B
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Brandon Laird 3B
Ramiro Pena SS

Freddy Garcia

Given the state of the Yankees rotation, the flurry of swing changes in camp, the emergence of Jesus Montero as a roster favorite and possible resurgence of Eric Chavez, the position battle that’s gone completely overlooked this spring is between Eduardo Nunez and Ramiro Pena for the utility job. The importance of a utility man will be diminished if a big hitter is available to backup at third, but clearly Derek Jeter isn’t going to play 162 games at short. One of these two is going to get fairly regular at-bats.

“I think I have a good chance,” Nunez said. “I’m working hard.”

Nunez and Pena are friends. They seem to be around one another constantly at the Yankees spring training complex, and their lockers are only a few feet apart, but they seem to be jockeying for one spot. The Yankees know what they have in Pena — terrific glove, big league experience, very little offense — but Nunez is something of an unknown with only 50 big league at-bats, and limited experience away from shortstop.

“I am getting more comfortable with Nuney at second,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s an exciting player. The young man has a lot of talent. It’s just a matter of putting it all together.”

This offseason, Nunez spent seven weeks working with Robinson Cano in the Dominican Republic. He said they worked on hitting and general fitness, but Cano also worked with him at second base, including some work on turning a double play. He’s looked pretty good there this spring, and today he hit a three-run homer that brought his spring average up to .286. Pena just picked up his first hit.

• Turns out Greg Golson hurt his rib cage during tonight’s game. “I’m not exactly sure what he did,” Girardi said. “He came in and said it was bothering him.” Doesn’t sound too bad, but the Yankees should know more tomorrow.

• With three more hits this afternoon, Eric Chavez is continuing to make a strong impression on the Yankees. “You could see it right away that he had life, that the ball was jumping off his bat when we first started,” Girardi said. “He looks good to me. I watched him run the bases. There’s nothing that I’m seeing from him that would tell me he’s been hurt the last couple of years. Let’s keep it that way.”

• Andrew Brackman is scheduled to make his spring debut tomorrow.

• Here’s Girardi explaining the Colin Curtis situation: “He’s going to be out a while. I don’t have the exact diagnosis for you yet. He took the MRI today and Dr. Ahmad is going to look at it. My sense is he’s going to be out a while.”

• Rafael Soriano’s spring debut will be either Wednesday or Thursday. He pitched a simulated inning this morning but had to face one extra hitter because he got three outs too quickly.

• Girardi said we could start to see all of the Yankees regulars in the same lineup as soon as Sunday. “We’re getting closer to playing with some different things (with the lineup),” he said. This morning, the Daily News reported that there’s a strong push for Brett Gardner to slide into the leadoff spot.

• When asked about A.J. Burnett’s outing, Girardi cited the exact same at-bat that Burnett talked about this afternoon. “The way he finished getting (Wilson) Valdez,” Girardi said. “Strike after strike after strike, in a 2-2 count, down and away. I was really happy.”

• Four pitchers likely to make the big league roster pitched today (Burnett, Chamberlain, Feliciano and Mitre). They combined for eight scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks. Burnett, Chamberlain and Feliciano carried a perfect game through the fifth inning of this afternoon’s game.

• Mark Prior pitched another scoreless inning in the afternoon game. He’s still an extreme long shot to make the team, but he’s allowed just one hit through three innings. There might still be something left in that arm.

• Sergio Mitre made his first start after two relief outings. He went three innings, having not thrown more than two in either of his previous appearances. Mitre said he felt no fatigue and got better as the game progressed. “I’m trying to make their (rotation) decision as hard as possible,” Mitre said.

• Mitre’s three scoreless innings were also thanks to a terrific throw by Golson, who threw out Mark Reynolds at the plate, making an on-the-fly throw from mid center field. “We saw (his arm) last year,” Mitre said. “It’s a cannon. Saves runs.”

• Curtis Granderson hit his second spring homer, part of a two-hit day. Jorge Posada also had two hits. Of course, those came in today’s first game. The second game was a scoreless tie with four Yankees hits: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Melky Mesa and Damon Sublett. Adam Warren and D.J. Mitchell each pitched two scoreless innings in the nightcap, Andy Sisco and Ryan Pope pitched a scoreless inning apiece.

Associated Press photos of Nunez, Granderson and Posada

YANKEES (4-5-1)
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Andruw Jones DH
Justin Maxwell LF
Greg Golson CF
Melky Mesa RF
Austin Romine C

RHP Sergio Mitre (0-0, 0.00)
Mitre vs. Orioles

ORIOLES (4-2-1)
Brian Roberts 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Luke Scott 1B
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Mark Reynolds 3B
Adam Jones CF
Felix Pie LF
Matt Wieters C
J.J. Hardy SS

LHP Zach Britton (0-0, 0.00)
Britton vs. Yankees

TIME/TV: 7:05 p.m., not on television

WEATHER: Sunny skies right now. Shouldn’t be a any sort of weather issues when night falls.

UMPIRES:

ON THE LINE: This is Mitre’s first spring start after pitching twice out of the bullpen. He’s being looked at as a possible back-of-the-rotation starter, though he could just as easily slide back into his long-relief role… The Yankees are not bringing any relievers who are expected to break camp on the major league roster.

OUT OF THE BULLPEN FOR THE YANKEES: Likely Triple-A starters Adam Warren and D.J. Mitchell will be the first two out of the pen for the Yankees. Andy Sisco and Ryan Pope are also available.

BULLPEN FOR THE ORIOLES: RHP Kevin Gregg, RHP Jeremy Accardo, RHP David Riske and LHP Clay Rapada

UPDATE, 7:39 p.m.: Another monster throw from Greg Golson, this time on the fly from center field to home plate to get Mark Reynolds trying to score from second on a single. Hard to beat last year’s throw against Tampa Bay, but this one was pretty impressive. Melky Mesa started bowing to him from right field.

UPDATE, 8:06 p.m.: Mitre went three scoreless, allowing three hits and striking out three. He threw 47 pitches, 32 for strikes.

UPDATE, 9:08 p.m.: Hard to say much about a scoreless spring training game. Just finished talking to Sergio Mitre who thought he was better in his previous outing. He said he felt like he was pushing the ball through his early innings, but he settled in at the end and started pitching much better.

A few very quick notes before tonight’s game.

• Colin Curtis is going to be out for a while. Joe Girardi said there’s no definite diagnosis yet, but he expects Curtis to be out for an extended period of time.

• Andrew Brackman will make his spring debut tomorrow.

• Rafael Soriano threw his second sim game this morning, and he’ll get into a game before the end of the week.

• Nick Swisher tumbled over a railing making a catch this afternoon, but Girardi said he’s fine. Russell Martin is also feeling good after back-to-back starts behind the plate. “It probably felt better today than it did yesterday,” Martin said.

Just got to Sarasota. Word was that Chris Tillman was starting for the Orioles. Looks like it’s Zach Britton instead. The Orioles are going with all of their regulars in the lineup.

ORIOLES
Brian Roberts 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Luke Scott 1B
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Mark Reynolds 3B
Adam Jones CF
Felix Pie LF
Matt Wieters C
J.J. Hardy SS

LHP Zach Britton

Especially at the top of the Phillies lineup, A.J. Burnett faced a legitimate group of big leaguers this afternoon. He sent the side down in order in three straight innings, including a strikeout of Ryan Howard.

In his second spring start, though, Burnett stated the obvious: Numbers aren’t showing us what’s truly important. Three scoreless is nice, but Burnett is happier that he’s not only repeating his mechanics, but repeating them without thinking about every step of the process.

“The fact I was in control,” he said. “The fact the last batter of the game I faced, I think the last five pitches were all down and away, and they were all in the exact perfect spot. I’m able to repeat easier, and as of right now, my mind’s clear. I’m not thinking about this and that, I’m just attacking.”

Burnett threw 45 pitches, 30 for strikes. His curveball isn’t where he wants it to be, but he said that pitch always comes slowly.

“I’ve got confidence, where I’m at now on the mound, that it’s going to be there,” Burnett said.

Of course, we had our annual Burnett-talks-about-his-changeup conversation this afternoon.

“I told (Russell Martin) I wasn’t going to shake for it, so if you want me to throw it, you’ve got to put it down,” Burnett said. “Sure enough, first lefty, he put it down.”

Martin caught Burnett in the bullpen earlier this spring, but this was his first time catching Burnett in a game. His opinion isn’t clouded by last year’s results, and he said he was impressed by how aggressive Burnett worked with his fastball.

“All you can really do is look forward,” Martin said.

YANKEES (3-5-1)
Brett Gardner LF
Russell Martin C
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Jorge Posada DH
Eric Chavez 1B
Jorge Vazquez 3B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Ramiro Pena 2B

RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, 0.00)
Burnett vs. Phillies

PHILLIES (5-5)
Shane Victorino CF
Placido Polanco 3B
Jimmy Rollins SS
Ryan Howard DH
Ben Francisco RF
Ross Gload 1B
John Mayberry LF
Carlos Ruiz C
Wilson Valdez 2B

RHP Roy Oswalt (0-0, 4.50)
Oswalt vs. Yankees

TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m., YES Network

WEATHER: It looked kind of rainy this morning, but the clouds seem to be moving out and the sky is pretty blue at this point. Light breeze blowing in from center field.

UMPIRES: HP Vic Carapazza, 1B Marty Foster, 2B Mark Carlson, 3B Dan Iassogna

ON THE LINE: Burnett will make his second spring start, another chance to ease some of the concern that came with his rough 2010… Eric Chavez is getting another start at first base, while the guy who’s suddenly catching everyone’s eye — Jorge Vazquez — gets a start at third… Russell Martin is catching back-to-back days for the first time.

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A SOPRANO SAXOPHONE? Kenny G will perform the National Anthem. That’s… unexpected. Truthfully, I’ve never really listened to Kenny G, but I have to think he’ll do a nice job.

OUT OF THE BULLPEN FOR THE YANKEES: Joba Chamberalin, Pedro Feliciano, Hector Noesi and Mark Prior will be the first four of the pen. Luis Ayala could clean up the ninth inning.

BULLPEN FOR THE PHILLIES: RHP Vance Worley, LHP Ryan Feierabend, RHP Drew Naylor and RHP Brian Bass.

TOMORROW’S TRAVELERS TODAY: Forgot to include this in the morning notes.

Pitchers who will be making the trip to Orlando: Brian Anderson, Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman, Robert Fish, Freddy Garcia, Warner Madrigal, Dave Robertson, Romulo Sanchez, Daniel Turpen, Eric Wordekemper

Players who will not be making the trip to Orlando: Francisco Cervelli, Russell Martin, Ronnie Belliard, Robinson Cano, Eric Chavez, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Colin Curtis and Andruw Jones.

UPDATE, 1:36 p.m.: Eduardo Nunez’s first spring home run is a three-run shot off Oswalt for a 3-0 Yankees lead in the second inning. Meanwhile, A.J. Burnett has sent the side down in order through the first two innings.

UPDATE, 1:56 p.m.: Nine up, nine down for Burnett. Meanwhile, Granderson just sent a rocket over the wall in right field, a two-run shot that has given the Yankees a 5-0 lead.

UPDATE, 2:03 p.m.: RBI single by Chavez, except Posada missed third base on his way home, and he was called out. Strange moment. It was 6-0 for a while, but now it’s back to 5-0 after three innings.

UPDATE, 2:36 p.m.: Here come the minor leaguers. After Chavez’s second hit of the game — an RBI single in the fifth — Luke Murton is in to pinch run with a 7-0 Yankees lead.

A lot of extra minor leaguers in camp today, helping the Yankees fill their split-squad rosters. All of the additions are position players. There are still enough pitchers in camp to pitch 18 innings and then some.

Right now, CC Sabathia is on the main mound here at Steinbrenner Field, throwing a side session with Larry Rothschild and Mike Harkey watching from the first-base side of the mound. Otherwise, things are pretty quiet leading into the first game of today’s split double header.

• Rafael Soriano and Ivan Nova threw sim games this morning. They faced Bradley Suttle and Jordan Parraz.

• Looks like Andrew Brackman might get into tomorrow’s game. He’s on the travel squad for Tuesday’s game in Orlando.

• Brandon Laird is getting his first outfield playing time of the spring.

• Jesus Montero said his hand feels fine — “Happens all the time,” he said — and he’ll stay in Tampa to catch off the bench in today’s home game.

• I mentioned there are a lot of extra minor leaguers in camp today. The comedy of today was watching some of the reactions when people realized there’s a Krum and Kruml in the Yankees system. Most assumed the L in Kruml was a typo and that Krum was pulling double duty today.

• The Phillies are bringing a solid set of regulars including Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard. Roy Oswalt has the start for Philadelphia.

This afternoon’s home game
vs. Phillies

• Available out of the bullpen: Joba Chamberlain, Pedro Feliciano, Hector Noesi, Mark Prior, Luis Ayala, Dave Robertson, Romulo Sanchez and Warner Madrigal (Robertson is backing up today and probably won’t pitch)

• Off the Yankees bench: C Jesus Montero, 1B Luke Murton, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Jose Pirella, 3B Bradley Suttle, LF Brandon Laird, CF Ray Kruml, RF Jordan Parraz, DH Gustavo Molina

• Catcher Mitch Abeita and outfielder Neil Medchill will also be with the Yankees in Tampa as backup players off the bench.

Tonight’s road game
vs. Orioles

• Available out of the bullpen: Adam Warren, D.J. Mitchell, Andy Sisco, Ryan Pope, Dellin Betances, Robert Fish, Eric Wordekemper and Daniel Turpen

• Off the Yankees bench: C Kyle Higashioka, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Kevin Russo, SS Doug Bernier, 3B Addison Maruszak, LF Jack Rye, CF Austin Krum, RF Taylor Grote, DH Damon Sublett

• Catcher J.R. Murphy and utility man Justin Snyder will also make the trip to Sarasota to be available off the bench. Murphy can play multiple positions, but he’s listed as a catcher.

PHILLIES
Shane Victorino CF
Placido Polanco 3B
Jimmy Rollins SS
Ryan Howard DH
Ben Francisco RF
Ross Gload 1B
John Mayberry LF
Carlos Ruiz C
Wilson Valdez 2B

RHP Roy Oswalt

Associated Press photo of Derek Jeter warming up before yesterday’s game

Austin Romine will start tonight’s game in Sarasota. Russell Martin must be fine after yesterday’s game, because he has the start this afternoon.

Home game, 1:05 p.m.
Brett Gardner LF
Russell Martin C
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Jorge Posada DH
Eric Chavez 1B
Jorge Vazquez 3B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Ramiro Pena 2B

RHP A.J. Burnett

Road game, 7:05 p.m.
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Andruw Jones DH
Justin Maxwell LF
Greg Golson CF
Melky Mesa RF
Austin Romine C

RHP Sergio Mitre