Pineda fans 6, A-Rod flashes glove at 1B

A.J. Burnett started in Pittsburgh's Grapefruit League finale and permitted six hits over four scoreless innings. Burnett walked one and struck out two, throwing 47 of 65 pitches for strikes.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
A-Rod's glove story: Alex Rodriguez played first base in a Grapefruit League game for the second time this spring and continued to show that he may be a capable reserve at the position. Rodriguez made a nice backhand scoop to pick a one-hop throw from shortstop Stephen Drew in the first inning, retiring Marte, then made another nice pick on a Jordy Mercer groundout in the sixth.

A-Rod plays well at first base

PIT@NYY: A-Rod plays well in second start at first

4/2/15: Alex Rodriguez makes his second Spring Training start at first base, playing well on several chances

J-Hay flashes leather at third: With two on and one out in the fourth inning, Josh Harrison made a diving play to snag Refsnyder's hard-hit grounder down the third-base line. Harrison, who will be the Pirates' everyday third baseman after bouncing around the diamond last season, then made a strong throw across the infield to Pedro Alvarez to record the out at first.

Must C: Harrison sprawls out

Must C Clips: Harrison dives to make outstanding stop

4/2/15: Josh Harrison dives to his right to stop a sharp ground ball down the third-base line and fires a strike to first to record the out

Burnett escapes final tuneup: Scheduled to make his first start of the season in exactly a week, Burnett gave up six hits and a walk but held the Yankees scoreless over four innings of work. Burnett gave up three hits and a walk in the second but got out of it unscathed; Marte made a strong throw from center field to cut down a runner at the plate, and Burnett induced an inning-ending groundout to leave the bases loaded.

Marte throws out Jones

PIT@NYY: Marte throws out Jones from center to home

4/2/15: Starling Marte fields a single in center field and fires to Francisco Cervelli at the plate who makes the tag on Garrett Jones

Petit's debut: Gregorio Petit zipped up his bags at Astros camp in Kissimmee, Fla., Thursday morning and made the 75-minute trek south to Tampa, where a Yankees uniform with No. 27 was waiting in his assigned locker. Petit made his Yankees spring debut in the seventh inning, entering the game to replace Drew at shortstop. The contest marked the first spring action at shortstop for Drew, who has been focusing on second base.

QUOTABLE
"It's good. I'm very happy for that. I'm not really paying attention, but thank you for telling me about it. I'm very happy because I'm feeling, in Spring Training today, it's a really good number. I'm very happy. It's what I try to do: throw a strike when I get on the mound and get an out." -- Pineda, on his final spring numbers of one walk and 23 strikeouts.

Girardi discusses Pineda

PIT@NYY: Girardi discusses great spring for Pineda

4/2/15: Yankees manager Joe Girardi joins the broadcast team and discusses the great pitching of Michael Pineda during Spring Training

"Pitched out of a couple jams. The volume of pitches was right where he wanted [it] to be. Gave up no runs. So it was a good day's work for him." -- Pirates manager Clint Hurdle on Burnett's outing.

THIS AND THAT
Carlos Beltran was in the Yankees' original lineup on Thursday, serving as the designated hitter, but he was replaced by Austin Romine before the game. The Yankees announced that Beltran had a stomach virus and did not report to George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Marte has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games this spring, and he's batting .333 (21-for-63) with a team-leading 21 hits in 20 games.

WHAT'S NEXT
Pirates: With their Grapefruit League schedule behind them, the Pirates headed north to Philadelphia after Thursday's game. The Bucs will face the Phillies in two exhibition games at Citizens Bank Park before traveling to Cincinnati for Opening Day on Monday. Left-hander Jeff Locke is scheduled to start Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET against Phillies right-hander Aaron Harang, live on MLB.TV (Free Game of the Day) and Gameday Audio.

Yankees: The Yankees conclude their Grapefruit League schedule on Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, hosting the Nationals at 1:05 p.m. ET, live on MLB.TV (Free Game of the Day). Left-hander CC Sabathia makes his third and final start of the spring for New York, tuning up for his April 9 season debut against the Blue Jays. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg will be on the hill for Washington.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Torre to throw out first pitch on Opening Day

Joe Torre is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day as the Yankees host the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Monday at 1:05 p.m. ET.

Gates will open to guests with valid tickets beginning at 10:30 a.m., with ceremonies slated to begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. with the introduction of both teams on the baselines.

Torre managed the Yankees for 12 seasons from 1996 through 2007, winning four World Series championships and six American League pennants. Torre will also be honored with the "Pride of the Yankees Award" at the 36th Annual Homecoming Dinner following the game.

In addition, the United States Military Academy at West Point Band will perform the national anthem and a giant American flag will be unfurled by 75 West Point cadets. The West Point Color Guard will present the colors.

During the seventh-inning stretch, Paul Nolan, of the current Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago and formerly of the Tony Award-winning musical Once, will perform "God Bless America."

The Yankees are strongly urging guests to budget extra time for arrival and entry to Yankee Stadium for all home games throughout 2015 and future seasons.

As part of Major League Baseball's initiative to elevate and standardize security procedures at the 30 Major League parks, all visitors are required to be screened via metal detectors before entering Yankee Stadium. The increased security is the result of MLB's continuing work with the Department of Homeland Security. The added measures are in addition to bag checks that are conducted at all MLB ballparks.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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A-Rod showing comfort at 1B

"A lot more action today. It was fun," Rodriguez said. "I had a good time out there."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that after watching Rodriguez in the field on Thursday, he is starting to realistically envision using Rodriguez as a third line of defense behind first basemen Mark Teixeira and Garrett Jones.

A-Rod scoops throw

PIT@NYY: A-Rod makes nice scoop at first from Drew

4/2/15: Stephen Drew fields a ground ball and fires to Alex Rodriguez at first base who makes a nice scoop on the throw to record the out

"He got some plays today," Girardi said. "He was upset with himself that he didn't turn the double play; he expected it. It was good."

After playing only shortstop and third base in his big league career, Rodriguez said that he has enjoyed a chance to see the game from a new angle.

"For one, I didn't realize how involved and alert you have to be on every play," Rodriguez said. "Even on a base hit up the middle, I had to sprint to the mound for a cutoff man. Those are things that I've never really had to do. A couple times, you find yourself just kind of standing around not knowing what to do and then you kind of go. It's not really natural."

Rodriguez received a little extra work thanks to Drew, who has been strictly playing second base this spring, but now has returned to take reps at his original position following an injury to backup shortstop Brendan Ryan. Two of Drew's tosses to first dropped well short of the bag, but Rodriguez displayed quick reflexes to snatch them.

"I told Alex, he needs practice over there. We talked about it earlier," Drew said. "I said, 'We might as well just give you some while we're at it in Spring Training.' And look what happens."

Rodriguez also will be called on to play some third base this season, though he is primarily going to be used as a DH. He was 0-for-3 in the victory and is batting .286 (12-for-42) with a double, three homers and four RBIs in 18 Grapefruit League games.

"Most importantly, I feel healthy," Rodriguez said. "That's always a relief, to get out of here as healthy as possible. For the most part, as a team, we've done a good job of that. Just being back in the mix with my teammates, getting the support of a lot of people, I feel good."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Warren officially named Yankees' fifth starter

TAMPA, Fla. -- One of the worst-kept secrets in Yankees camp has been revealed, as Adam Warren is now officially tabbed to begin the season as the club's fifth starter.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi confirmed the decision after Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the Rays. Warren was 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in five Grapefruit League starts, permitting 17 hits with a walk and 11 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings.

"I think part of that is he has more confidence in himself, and he understands he can do it," Girardi said. "I think whenever you're a young player and you come up for the first time, something goes wrong and you're going to question a little bit. But I think he knows he has the ability to do it now."

Girardi said that he has been pleased by Warren's four-pitch mix and strike-throwing ability, as well as his ability to get left-handers and right-handers out and hold baserunners. Warren made 69 relief appearances for New York last year, going 3-6 with a 2.97 ERA.

"He does the little things, fields his position," Girardi said. "He just does a lot of things right."

Warren is scheduled to pitch the Yankees' fifth game of the season on April 11 against the Red Sox, and Girardi said that the Yankees plan to stay on rotation through their off-days.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Refsnyder in line to break camp with Yanks?

"I can't really control any of those situations. I really don't know," Refsnyder said. "I'm just going about my business, trying to get in rhythm for the season."

Refsnyder has lived up to his billing as an enticing prospect at the plate this spring, batting .333 (13-for-39) with a homer and five RBIs in 23 games. Any issues have come in the field, where Refsnyder has shown a need for polish at second base -- his six errors lead all big leaguers this spring.

"I wish I could have played better on all sides of the ball, but I'm happy with where my work is right now," Refsnyder said. "Hopefully it translates in the game a little bit more in the season."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that because Didi Gregorius and Stephen Drew are both healthy, it presents the opportunity to add a second baseman and use Drew as Gregorius' backup. Jose Pirela would have had the inside track to break camp with the club, but he has not played since March 22 due to a concussion.

In addition to Refsnyder, the Yankees also have non-roster infielders Cole Figueroa and Nick Noonan in camp. Girardi said that he was preparing to have some "long discussions" on Wednesday afternoon to regroup, and while Figueroa and Noonan have done well in utility roles, Girardi said that he expected Refsnyder to be a part of the conversation.

"He's played pretty well," Girardi said. "The young man, I think, has continually improved. He's a name that I'm sure is going to fly around a lot today."

Drafted as an outfielder, Refsnyder has been playing second base since 2013. Girardi said that playing good defense is important, but he has seen progress in the 24-year-old's work with infield coach Joe Espada.

"It's encouraging to see how far I've come since 2013, and they've said some really nice things," Refsnyder said. "I definitely think I've got a future at second base. I love being part of this organization. A lot of people have helped me out along the way. I'm super fortunate."

Refsnyder said that he was not discouraged by the Yankees' statements earlier in camp that indicated he was likely to begin the year at Triple-A.

"Coming into camp, I was 23, I'm 24 now, and I'm playing with some of the best players in the entire world -- some of the best guys," Refsnyder said. "It's definitely not discouraging. Every day you can learn and get better from all these guys."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees make trade, acquire infielder Petit from Astros

The Yankees acquired infielder Gregorio Petit from the Astros on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.

Petit hit .278 in 37 games for the Astros last season. He was having a productive spring, batting .310 (9-for-29) through 18 Grapefruit League contests, but was unable to crack the club's crowded infield. He was among several players sent to the Minors on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Venezuelan is joining his fifth Major League organization since he signed with the Athletics as a free agent in 2001. He also made brief appearances in the big leagues with the A's in 2008 and '09.

Through 62 career games in the Majors, Petit owns a .278 average (42-for-151) with two homers and 10 RBIs.

Chad Thornburg is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Tanaka, Yanks relieved after healthy spring

"Obviously, it wasn't the best pitching today out there on the mound, but I felt that I was able to work on what I wanted to work on this spring," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I feel pretty much ready to go for the season."

Tanaka threw 76 pitches (56 for strikes) and served up a solo home run to Eduardo Escobar in preparation for his Opening Day assignment on April 6, when he'll face the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he expects Tanaka will be able to throw about 90 pitches in that outing.

"I felt pretty decent about him going into the offseason, but I think you feel a little bit better now, just watching him go through his starts and getting built up," Girardi said. "But you never know about pitchers today."

Girardi has said that he doesn't expect to be sitting on the edge of the dugout bench with every pitch, as he did when Tanaka made his last two starts of the 2014 campaign, but Tanaka's partially torn ulnar collateral ligament will always be in the background.

Most lingering concerns were eased by the fact that Tanaka never reported any stiffness and seemed to be able to throw close to 100 percent effort during the spring. In 14 2/3 innings, Tanaka permitted six runs (five earned) and 13 hits for a 3.07 ERA, walking one and striking out 13.

"I feel good that I was able to come through camp healthy right now," Tanaka said. "I think I'm a bit relieved."

Tanaka has said that he is shying away from throwing four-seam fastballs, preferring to go with his two-seamer, as an accommodation to the fact that his four-seamers were hit hard last season. Catcher Austin Romine said that Tanaka relied on his two-seamer and slider in Tuesday's outing.

"He looked all right in the beginning. I think maybe his stuff wasn't as sharp as it was in the past," Romine said. "The splitter was a little erratic sometimes, but his slider was there for him and it kept him in the game for a little while. Some pitches hit a little bit too much of the plate. I think he pitched well for what he had today."

Tanaka's velocity sat between 87-90 mph on Tuesday, touching 92 mph. Tanaka has said that he is unconcerned about that dip, as well as a more conservative workload that saw him throw 6 1/3 fewer innings this spring than last.

"I'm not really overthinking about that at all," Tanaka said. "I was kind of taking it slow at the beginning, but at the end, I think I was able to build up to where I wanted to be. I'm not really worried about the innings."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Didi may sit Wednesday with swelling in left wrist

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius is still experiencing some swelling in his sprained left wrist and may not be ready to play Wednesday as originally planned, manager Joe Girardi said.

Gregorius rolled on his wrist diving for a ground ball on Saturday against the Orioles. Precautionary X-rays and a MRI were negative, and Gregorius has been receiving treatment at George M. Steinbrenner Field for the last three days.

"Didi still had a little swelling, so I don't know if he'll play tomorrow," Girardi said after the Yankees' 3-1 loss to the Twins on Tuesday. "I feel like he's ready to go, and obviously we'd like him to play before we leave, but he still had a little bit, so I don't know if he'll be a player tomorrow yet."

Becoming a Yankee - Webisode 1

Becoming a Yankee - Webisode 1

Check out what Didi Gregorius had to say about becoming a Yankee and how he feels about filling Derek Jeter's spot

Gregorius has been envisioned as the Yanks' Opening Day shortstop since being acquired from the D-backs in December, taking over the position following Derek Jeter's retirement. He is batting .300 (12-for-40) with four doubles, two triples and six RBIs in 17 games this spring.

In the event that Gregorius' injury turns out to be a lingering issue, Girardi has said that his first thought would be to use Brendan Ryan at shortstop, as Stephen Drew has been focusing on second base. The Yanks also have infielders Nick Noonan and Rob Refsnyder remaining in camp.

Ryan's diving stop

NYY@MIN: Ryan robs Nunez with great diving stop

3/31/15: Brendan Ryan ranges to his left and makes a great diving stop on a grounder from Eduardo Nunez and fires to first for the out

Girardi said that he does expect first baseman Mark Teixeira to return to action on Wednesday against the Rays. Teixeira was hit on the right knee by a pitch in a Minor League game on Sunday and was diagnosed with a contusion.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Ellsbury likely to test oblique Wednesday

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury returned to action in a Minor League game on Tuesday in Tampa, delivering two singles in five at-bats and playing five innings of defense as he works his way back from a strained oblique.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he has Ellsbury penciled in to play for the big league squad on Wednesday against the Rays. That would mark Ellsbury's first Grapefruit League game since March 15, when he sustained the strain while playing catch.

"I've listened to them the entire process," Ellsbury told reporters in Tampa, Fla. "If they feel, 'Hey, you're a go for tomorrow,' I'll be out there tomorrow. If they're like, 'Hey, get some swings in and be out there the next day,' I'm fine with that too."

Ellsbury played for the Double-A Trenton squad and said that he has no concern about being ready for Opening Day on April 6 against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

"That's why we took it like we did, because they didn't want me feeling [the oblique] in any activity," Ellsbury said. "Let's take it each day, let's not push it, and make sure when we do come back, it's ready to go. They did a good job of getting me back pretty quick."

Adam Warren, who is expected to be the Yankees' fifth starter, also pitched in a Minor League game on Tuesday. The right-hander surrendered five runs and nine hits over four innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, striking out two and walking one in the 82-pitch outing.

"The results weren't the best, just trying to get ready for the season," Warren told reporters. "It's tough out here to get the adrenaline going, so you try to lock it in, work on some things. That's really what I try to focus on, getting ready for the season."

Carlos Beltran went 0-for-4 with a walk in the same game as Warren. Girardi said that the Yankees wanted to spare Beltran the long bus ride to Fort Myers, where the big league squad lost, 3-1, to the Twins.

"We want him there for his at-bats, instead of riding 2 1/2 hours," Girardi said.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Eovaldi praised by hometown legend Ryan

"I haven't watched him in person, only on television, but I've followed him ever since he's been in high school," Ryan said. "I really think that the better part of his career is still ahead of him."

Eovaldi put on a good show for the strikeout king, hurling 4 2/3 innings of scoreless, three-hit ball in the Yankees' 7-0 Grapefruit League victory. Eovaldi struck out five and walked none, though he used 89 pitches (60 strikes) to do it and said he would like to be more economical in the future.

Acquired in December by the Yanks, Eovaldi has enjoyed a sharp spring, allowing just one earned run in 13 2/3 innings (0.66 ERA) as he prepares to begin the season as New York's No. 4 starter. Eovaldi seemed happy to hear of Ryan's praise.

"I appreciate it," Eovaldi said. "Just coming from him, it's a reminder to keep working hard and not give in, really."

Eovaldi's five strikeouts

TB@NYY: Eovaldi fans five over three innings

3/9/15: Nathan Eovaldi strikes out five Rays over three innings, allowing just three hits and no runs in a Spring Training outing

Ryan said that he has done his homework on Eovaldi, quizzing former teammate Charlie Hough, who served as one of Eovaldi's Minor League pitching coaches while the right-hander was in the Dodgers' system.

"Charlie really liked him," Ryan said. "You know, there's not many that have come out of Alvin that have played professional baseball. It's kind of neat to see him and follow his career."

Ryan and Eovaldi didn't cross paths on Sunday, as Eovaldi headed to the clubhouse after being removed from the game, but they have made prior contact. Two years ago, when Eovaldi was with the Marlins, he said that he received an unexpected surprise in the mail.

"He sent me a ball and said, 'Congratulations,'" Eovaldi said. "He signed a baseball and sent it to me; it said, 'Go Jackets,' -- that was our Alvin high school team -- and 'Congratulations on your career, keep going.'"

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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