Ransom has big spikes to fill but isn't nervous
Yankees 2009 season, game by game
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BALTIMORE - Cody Ransom knows he can't match Alex Rodriguez's numbers. He'll just try to be himself.
Rodriguez is a three-time Most Valuable Player. Ransom, 33, has played in 166 major- league games and has a total of 183 at-bats. But the Yankees are counting on Ransom to man third base until Rodriguez returns from hip labrum surgery in late April or early May.
Ransom had a strong spring training, batting .280 with nine RBIs and 16 runs scored in 28 games. He led the Yankees with 75 at-bats and said: "I feel like I got my work in."
As of Sundayafternoon, a day before the Yankees' season opener against the Orioles at Camden Yards, Ransom said he wasn't nervous. His dad and brother were flying in from Arizona last night to attend the opening series, and his wife will be at the home opener April 16.
Johnny Damon named Ransom as the team's best athlete and the player most likely to surprise. Ransom is more humble, saying: "Any time you're able to take the field, I feel like it's a great opportunity."
Manager Joe Girardi said he had no news from Rodriguez, who is rehabbing in Vail, Colo. Rodriguez is expected to move his rehab to Tampa, Fla., in the next week to 10 days.
Joba strong in last tuneup Joba Chamberlain pitched in a minor-league game in Tampa Sundayto keep him in line for his first scheduled regular-season start Sunday in Kansas City. Chamberlain allowed one earned run, three hits and three walks in five innings and recorded some extra outs to get his pitch count up to 76 (50 strikes). Chamberlain struck out five.
"I wanted to work on fastball command and my changeup," Chamberlain told The Associated Press, "and I think I did a great job with those two. I think it was one of my most productive days as far as consistency."
Peña excited to make team Ramiro Peña smiled as bullpen coach Mike Harkey checked out the new dark-blue suit Peña wore while traveling to Baltimore yesterday. Peña purchased two new suits Friday in New York in case he made the team. He learned Saturday that he would need them.
Peña said his mother, Armandina (in Monterrey, Mexico) greeted the news with tears of joy. When Peña, 23, reported to spring training, he never expected this, saying: "I really, really didn't think that I had the chance to make the team."
