SB Nation New York - New York Yankees Roster: Curtis Granderson Likely To Play, Luis Ayala On Teamhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-03-30T18:06:05-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18456102011-03-30T18:06:05-04:002011-03-30T18:06:05-04:00New York Yankees Roster: Curtis Granderson Likely To Play, Luis Ayala On Team
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<p>The New York Yankees have finalized their 25-man Opening Day roster in advance of Thursday's season opener at Yankee Stadium against the Detroit Tigers (1:05 p.m., YES). The biggest news is that it appears starting center fielder Curtis Granderson, nursing an oblique injury the past week or so of Spring Training, <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110329&content_id=17180100&notebook_id=17184882&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy&partnerId=rss_nyy">should be in the lineup</a> against Detroit's Justin Verlander.</p>
<p>Let's break down the 25-man roster the Yankees will introduce Thursday afternoon -- weather permitting, of course.</p>
<p><b><u>Starters</u></b><br> C: Russell Martin<br> 1B: Mark Teixeira<br> 2B: Robinson Cano<br> 3B: Alex Rodriguez<br> SS: Derek Jeter<br> LF: Brett Gardner<br> CF: Curtis Granderson<br> RF: Nick Swisher<br> DH: Jorge Posada</p>
<p><b>Comment: </b>The big issue with this group is how Joe Girardi will set the lineup. All spring the question has been whether <b>Brett Gardner</b> or <b>Derek Jeter</b> will lead off. The answer is, in reality, both guys will depending on who is playing and whether a lefty or righty is pitching. For me, that is no big deal. I have another question. It look like <b>Robinson Cano</b> will stay in the fifth slot, where he hit last season. Why isn't Cano, the best pure hitter on the team, batting third with <b>Mark Teixeira</b>, perfect protection for <b>Alex Rodriguez</b> as a switch-hitter, in the five-hole?</p>
<p><b><u>Bench</u></b><br> IF: Eduardo Nunez<br> IF: Eric Chavez<br> OF: Andruw Jones<br> C: Gustavo Molina</p>
<p><b>Comment: </b>No one saw <b>Gustavo Molina</b> opening the season as the backup catcher. He will likely be around until <b>Francisco Cervelli </b>recovers from his broken foot. <b>Eric Chavez</b>, a former star with Oakland whose career has been derailed by injuries, made the team as a caddy for Rodriguez and Teixeira at the corners. If he can stay healthy Chavez should give the Yankees the ability to keep Rodriguez fresh throughout the season. Nunez took the middle infield job away from incumbent <b>Ramiro Pena</b>.</p>
<p><b><u>Rotation</u></b><br> LHP CC Sabathia<br> RHP A.J. Burnett<br> RHP Phil Hughes<br> RHP Ivan Nova<br> RHP Freddy Garcia</p>
<p><b>Comment: </b>With this group, there is lots of pressure on <b>CC Sabathia</b>. He is an ace, and he needs to pitch like one. A.J. Burnett is the nominal No. 2 starter, and the Yankees need for him to pitch like it -- not like the guy who went 10-15 with an ERA above 5.00 a year ago. <b>Ivan Nova </b>and<b> Freddy Garcia</b> start the season as the fourth and fifth starters. Somehow, I don't think they finish it that way.</p>
<p><b><u>Bullpen</u></b><br> RHP Mariano Rivera<br> RHP Rafael Soriano<br> RHP Joba Chamberlain<br> RHP David Robertson<br> RHP Bartolo Colon<br> LHP Boone Logan<br> RHP Luis Ayala</p>
<p><b>Comment:</b> Ayala got the final spot, which opened due to lefty specialist Pedro Feliciano being placed on the disabled list. The Yankees signed Feliciano to get big outs late in games, and because of his durability during eight years with the Mets. Let's hope this is not a bad sign. With Mariano Rivera and Rafael Soriano at the end of games, the Yankees should be pretty much a lock to win games if they can get to the seventh inning with a lead. They had better be, with the question marks surrounding their starting pitchers.</p>
<p><b><u>Disabled List</u></b><br> C Francisco Cervelli<br> LHP Pedro Feliciano</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/30/2332437/new-york-yankees-roster-curtis-granderson-likely-to-play-luis-ayalaEd Valentine