Freddy Garcia still has something to prove

TAMPA, Fla. -- Freddy Garcia, signed only to a minor- league contract, came into spring training last season needing to prove something to stick.

Armed with a guaranteed deal this year, Garcia believes he still has to prove something -- and with the surplus of starters in camp, he's right.

"We have six guys, so I have to fight for a spot," said Garcia, who allowed a two-run homer to Hunter Pence in the first inning Sunday before throwing a scoreless second.

Garcia signed with the Yankees when they had a pitching deficit, before they brought in Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda. But only Kuroda -- and CC Sabathia -- have been publicly assured of rotation spots.

Garcia had a 4.91 ERA in spring training last season, vastly better than his 10.38 in 2010 and 16.71 in 2009. "I've always said, don't underestimate Freddy," Alex Rodriguez said.

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Pineda, the 6-7, 280-pound righthander acquired this offseason from the Mariners in the Jesus Montero deal, makes his exhibition debut Monday in Clearwater against the Phillies.

"I am anxious to see him," Girardi said. "I'm anxious to see him try to throw a couple of changeups, too. See if it works."

Pineda has been working on a new grip on his changeup with pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

Pineda's locker is located between CC Sabathia's and Garcia's. The latter said Pineda has peppered him with questions throughout camp, many of them about the transition from pitching in Seattle to New York.

Garcia, a former Mariner, said "media" has been their primary topic. "Seattle in spring training, there's only two or three guys [reporters], and sometimes they don't even ask questions," he said. "Sometimes you pitch and go. Here, it doesn't matter how good or bad you pitch, you wait for the media."

By Rivera.

"When he tells me he's ready,'' Girardi said, "I'm going to put him in."