CLEARWATER, Fl. -- In an uncharacteristic burst of candor, Joe Girardi this morning came as close as he can to acknowledging that Masahiro Tanaka will be the New York Yankees’ Opening Day starter. If all goes well, of course.
Tanaka's journey to the Yankee Stadium mound for the April 4 opener against the Houston Astros begins Sunday afternoon at Bright House Field against the Philadelphia Phillies (1:05 p.m., WFAN radio). Here are the lineups:
YANKEES
Aaron Hicks RF
Rob Refsnyder 3B
Lane Adams LF
Tanaka RHP
PHILLIES
Brock Stassi 1B
Cedric Hunter LF
David Lough RF
Andrew Knapp DH
Charlie Morton RHP
Tanaka will go two innings or approximately 35 pitches. Of additional interest today is Refnsyder's debut at third base. If the rookie 2B shows he can handle the position shift, it might be his ticket to a roster spot as Headley's backup when the club heads north.
