Aching Granderson gets a rest

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Joe Girardi left Tropicana Field Wednesday night fairly certain he'd give Curtis Granderson a rest Thursday night. Thursday's phone conversation with the outfielder -- who Girardi said had been "beat up" the previous two games -- confirmed the plan.

"I asked how his foot was -- good; shin -- good; back -- [he said] I want to take BP and see," Girardi recalled. "That kind of gave me a heads-up it's probably pretty sore."

Granderson was hit in the left foot by a pitch Tuesday, then had an even more painful Wednesday. He crashed into the centerfield wall while making a terrific catch, fouled a ball off his right calf area and took a 95-mph fastball from David Price between the shoulder blades.

He batted for Chris Dickerson and flied out to end the seventh last night and struck out vs. Kyle Farnsworth to end the game.

Gardner leads off

On Wednesday, Girardi said he was "considering" hitting Brett Gardner leadoff against righties -- his role at the start of the season -- and putting Derek Jeter in the two-hole, which is what he did against James Shields. Jeter was hitting .243 with a .286 OBP vs. righties compared to .291/.367 for Gardner. Girardi said Jeter still will lead off against lefthanders because of his .325 average and .419 OBP against them. Gardner is .291/.391 against lefthanders.

Extra bases

Playing for Class A Tampa, Rafael Soriano allowed two hits and an earned run in the first inning and Eric Chavez (1-for-3, double, RBI) started at third and played six innings. It was his first appearance in the field in three rehab games . . . Alex Rodriguez (knee surgery) had his stitches removed yesterday.