Gordon finally gets to hit as a pitcher

CINCINNATI -- No way Brian Gordon would have predicted this circumstance. "If you would have told me 10 years ago I'd be getting my first major-league at-bat as a pitcher, I'd be laughing at you," he said.

But that will be the case for the 32-year-old, who will make his second career big-league start Tuesday night against the Reds.

In his first start against the Rangers on Thursday, Gordon -- drafted by the Diamondbacks as an outfielder in the seventh round of the 1997 draft and converted to a pitcher after the 2006 season -- allowed two runs and seven hits in 51/3 innings. That morning, Gordon officially became a Yankee, signing a major-league contract after going 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA for the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, Lehigh Valley.

Gordon said controlling his emotions was among the biggest challenges he faced last week. He expects the same Tuesday night, not necessarily a bad thing.

"I don't think so," he said of handling the emotions of start No. 2 better than No. 1. "It doesn't matter where I'm throwing, I just get so excited to take that mound. It's something I love to do, something I feel completely blessed to do, and it's something that excites me every time I get to do it. I think it will be the same intensity, same nerves, same everything. I'm going to have to tackle those things one more time."

Joe Girardi had almost zero to go on insofar as a scouting report for the righthander he sent to the mound Thursday. "I know what to expect more, that's for sure," he said Monday. "I hope I'm pleasantly surprised like the last one."

The lefthanded-hitting Gordon, who hit 118 home runs in 10 seasons as a minor-league outfielder and batted at least .280 in four of those years, also will get a chance to contribute offensively Tuesday night.

With Bartolo Colon and Phil Hughes still not ready to return to the rotation, Girardi said Gordon will get at least a third start regardless of what happens Tuesday night. "Depends on what happens with guys coming back, but my plans are to keep him going," Girardi said.

Gordon almost certainly will get bumped at some point, but being kept as a reliever isn't out of the question. Any role, he said, will suffice.

"I'd be tickled, I'll be whatever," he said. "They're paying me to throw the ball for them and wherever they want me to go, that's where I'm going to go. They brought me over here to help them and I'm going to do my best to fill whatever role they need me as. I'm excited in any role. If they want me to be the official rosin bag guy, I'll be that guy."