New York Yankees notes

The Yankees plan on playing Carlos Beltran on Friday in right field which will be his spring debut.  Alex Rodriguez will take the day off tomorrow, he will get his work in back in Tampa and then play again on Friday in another home game.  He said he was surprised he got a hit in his first at bat, that he was nervous but it was good to be back out there and hear some cheers. 

Brendan Ryan had the day off.  He felt a little sore after the workout yesterday but said he felt good during it.  He is optimistic that he will be on the field soon.  He doesn't expect to play before next week.  Masahiro Tanaka threw a bullpen today and came through it fine.  He will make his first start sometime next week but will have a simulated game before that. 

Scott Baker will start on Saturday for the Yankees.  Girardi said he doesn't have a pitcher to announce after Saturday.  Esmil Rogers starts tomorrow and Chris Capuano and Bryan Mitchell will each pitch on Friday in the split squad game. 

Stephen Drew made an error today but he said he is still learning second base and he is happy to just get in a groove again and have a normal spring training.  He said he considers himself a second baseman and doesn't want any reps at shortstop.  it seems that he will be the starter with Gregorius at short and Ryan as the backup for now.  It is looking more and more like Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela will be back in AAA but that could change. 

Nathan Eovaldi impressed the Yankees today and even some scouts according to Chad Jennings of the Journal News.  He said he felt good and used some splitters that he has been working on.  He also is trying to pitch up in the zone more even if it is just to change the eye level of the batter. 

Rodriguez said he could play the field whenever Joe Girardi wants.  He said he had some good work in the back fields today and that he is ready whenever Girardi is ready for him to take the field.