Girardi bats Gardner first, Jeter second

TAMPA, Fla. -- True to his word, Joe Girardi tinkered Thursday night. He had Brett Gardner batting first and Derek Jeter second against the Rays a day after batting Jeter in the leadoff spot.

"I can hit him one through nine," Girardi said of the Yankees' captain. "I have nine spots I can put him."

He was kidding. Jeter will bat first or second to start the season.

"We signed Jeet to be a top-of-the-order hitter and to score runs and be a catalyst," Girardi said.

It's clear, however, that Girardi is intrigued by having the speedy Gardner atop the order. "What is the value of him getting an extra 70 or 80 at-bats a year?" he said. "That's what you look at."

Jeter and Gardner each went 0-for-3 in the 3-2 win over the Rays.

Yogi fine

Yogi Berra was OK after stumbling behind the batting cage before the game. His fall was broken by Rays manager Joe Maddon. Berra, 85, had fallen in the clubhouse last week. He relaxed in Girardi's office and later was escorted to the suite level by executive Felix Lopez.

Hank's Yank debuts

Leonel Vinas, a 19-year-old from Freeport and former member of Hank Steinbrenner's "Hank's Yanks," made his first appearance Thursday in a minor-league intrasquad game. He struck out one in a perfect inning.

"It was like having a son there," Steinbrenner said. "I was very nervous." 

Extra bases

Sergio Mitre (oblique) is scheduled to pitch in relief vs. Toronto Friday . . . Joba Chamberlain (oblique) threw for the first time since Sunday . . . Boone Logan (elbow fatigue) pitched for the first time since March 4.