Grapefruit League Game 23-Yankees at Tigers

Here are some pregame notes for this afternoons game and the lineup. The game is at 1:05PM on the YES network. A.J. Burnett will take on Nate Robertson. There are 8 spring games left after today as we are down to 8 days until Opening Night in Boston. Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, Dave Robertson and Chan Ho Park are scheduled to pitch out of the bullpen. This will be Chamberlains first appearance out of the bullpen again as he goes back to being the setup man. A.J. Burnett is making his 4th start of the spring, he is looking to do better, he was wild his last time out when he allowed 5 runs in 4 innings. He allowed them all in the first inning though and then settled down. Yankees Lineup: Gardner(CF) Johnson(1B) Posada(C) Thames(DH) Granderson(CF) Winn(RF) Pena(SS) Russo(2B) Laird(3B) I will have some more pregame info in a little while. Here are some notes from this mornings session with Joe Girardi via Chad Jennings.

Girardi has said time and again that his relievers have to earn their spot but he basically said that Joba will have a spot. "The assumption is that he will pitch at a high level and earn his spot." As for a role he isn't saying he will be in the 8th inning but did say this "You'd like to see someone lock it down, there are a lot of quality arms down there that could do it."

Joba will pitch one inning today and may get in back to back games before the end of spring but Girardi said it isn't a necessity.

Here is what Girardi said about his teams losing record this spring "If you're getting the pitching, then to me, that hitting is going to come." I would agree with him I don't pay too much attention to the record. If the pitchers are doing well and getting stronger that is all that really matters. The hitters are behind the pitchers and the full lineup isn't really together, this week they should all be playing regular and almost full games, that is when you look at it more, especially the last few games.

Joe Girardi said the decision to start Granderson in Center or left hasn't been made. He said he has just observed and hasn't put a lot of thought into it yet.

Enjoy the game everyone, remember it is televised on the yes network.