Cashman addressed Yankees players Tuesday

Brian Cashman doesn't often feel the need to address his team.

Before Tuesday night's game, the Yankees' general manager did.

Cashman, according to a pregame report Wednesday on YES, talked, along with manager Joe Girardi, to the Yankees before their 3-2 victory over the Royals.

The report said the pair told the players it wasn't a "panic meeting," and that they still believed in them and their track records.

Girardi would not confirm the meeting occurred, but Alex Rodriguez did.

"Joe gave us a great talk," A-Rod said after Wednesday night's 8-3 victory. "He's a great manager and we have a lot of faith in him and I know he has a lot of faith in us. I thought Joe was great."

The last time of note Cashman addressed the team was June 23, 2009 in Atlanta, with the Yankees having lost four of their last five to drop five games back in the division at 38-31. The Yankees lost that night, 4-0, but then won seven straight and 10 of 11.

Soriano's the man

Girardi said Wednesday that, unequivocally, Rafael Soriano is his closer.

That, of course, was not news with David Robertson on the disabled list.

What was a minor headline, however, was that Girardi said when Robertson does return from his strained left oblique, it's not guaranteed he'll be reinserted as closer.

"Let's just see where we are when Robby gets back and how Robby's doing and how he feels," Girardi said.

Gardner not yet ready

Girardi said Brett Gardner, on the DL since April 18 with a right elbow strain, has a completely healed muscle but "he still has a little stiffness in there."