A-Rod to bat third against righhthanders

Robinson Cano's move to the esteemed third position in the Yankees' batting order lasted all of six games. Joe Girardi flipped Cano and Alex Rodriguez in the lineup for Friday's home opener against the Angels and righthander Ervin Santana, and Girardi said that's the plan against righties the rest of the season.

"We just feel with some of these clubs that have two lefthanders or even the one lefthander, it makes it a little more difficult to navigate through," Girardi said of splitting up the lefthanded-hitting Curtis Granderson, who hits second against righties, and the lefthanded-hitting Cano.

Switch-hitting Nick Swisher has been batting second against lefthanded starters, so Cano will hit third and Rodriguez fourth against lefties.

Girardi said the switch had nothing to do with A-Rod getting off to a slow start (until Friday, when he went 3-for-4).

"Sometimes when you think of lack of production, you move people down in the lineup," Girardi said. "It really has nothing to do with that. It's more just making it more difficult on the other clubs."

Entering Friday, A-Rod had 3,656 career at-bats hitting fourth (the most he's had at any spot in the order) and 2,793 hitting third (the second most).

"No matter where you hit, you have to produce," A-Rod said. "I know it does one thing: it presents a decision for the opposing manager each and every day."

SEE PHOTOSLong Island in the pros: MLB edition

Said Cano, "Whatever they decide, I'm good with it. Like I always say, I'm just happy to be in the lineup."

Just another guyDavid Robertson said the last time he got nervous because of the hitter he was facing was his rookie season in 2008, when he faced Ken Griffey Jr. But he's established himself since then, and while he was aware and respectful that he was facing a future Hall of Famer when Albert Pujols batted in the ninth, this time he just pitched -- and induced a 6-4-3 double play.

"You just have to treat him like any other hitter," Robertson said. "Don't try to do something you're not capable of doing."

Some rideRookie righthander David Phelps had his dad, brother and cousin in attendance, and although he didn't get in the game -- he did warm up in the ninth -- the day was plenty memorable. Being part of the pregame introductions, announced just ahead of Mariano Rivera, sufficed. "It was tough to suppress a smile," Phelps said.

Of his year so far, which started in spring training as a long shot to make the roster, he smiled again. "It's been," he said, "a wild ride."