Lineups set for New York Yankees' split squad

by Marc Carig

TAMPA, Fla. - The New York Yankees will participate in split squad games for the first time this spring. At Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees face the Houston Astros while the traveling team heads to Bradenton, Fla. to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Infielder Cody Ransom is in the lineup today after being hit in the back of the neck with a relay throw against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. He will start at second base.

A.J. Burnett makes his second spring start. Edwar Ramirez, who has been recovering from right shoulder bursitis, is scheduled to make his spring debut in relief.

Meanwhile, second baseman Robinson Cano (right shoulder) and reliever Damaso Marte (left pectoral) are scheduled to see the doctor later in the day.

Long reliever candidate Jason Johnson is set to make his spring debut against the Pirates. Doctors diagnosed the pitcher with retinal cancer earlier this spring.

"We feel like he can help us, whether it's as a sport start, or a starter, or a long reliever," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Friday. "During the course of the year, we believe he's a guy who can help. He's got a ton of experience. And obviously he's had to battle through some things this spring, but he's looked pretty competitive actually."

The lineups:

Game 1 (at Steinbrenner Field)
YANKEES
Brett Gardner, CF
Johnny Damon, LF
Xavier Nady, RF
Hideki Matsui, DH
Cody Ransom, 2B
Jose Molina, C
Juan Miranda, 1B
Angel Berroa, SS
Justin Leone, 3B
AJ Burnett, P
Followed by Dan Giese, Brian Bruney and Edwar Ramirez.

ASTROS
Kazuo Matsui, DH
Jason Michaels, CF
Hunter Pence, RF
Geoff Blum, 3B
Aaron Boone, 1B
David Newhan, 2B
Reggie Abercrombie, LF
J.R. Towles, C
Tommy Manzella, SS
Wandy Rodriguez, P

Game 2 (at McKenchie Field, Bradenton, Fla. vs. Pirates)
YANKEES
Melky Cabrera, CF
Nick Swisher, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Jorge Posada, DH
Austin Jackson, LF
Kevin Cash, C
Doug Bernier, 2B
Kevin Russo, 3B
Ramiro Pena, SS
Phil Hughes, P

Followed by Ian Kennedy, Christian Garcia, Jonathan Albaladejo, Mark Melancon and David Robertson.

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