Homer gives struggling Raul Ibañez a lift

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Raul Ibañez's spring training had been nothing short of horrendous, and it was starting to get to the 39-year-old a bit.

Though Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi continued to express confidence that the veteran eventually will hit, Ibañez entered Saturday's game 2-for-37.

So his two-run homer to centerfield on a first-pitch fastball from Max Scherzer felt as good as Ibañez, who went 1-for-3, could remember. At least as far as spring training homers go.

"It was one at-bat, but the feel today was much better than it has been," Ibañez said. "Today it felt a lot better . . . As an athlete, you always want to show what you can do and show yourself. I think that's human nature. Not to impress but to do your job right."

Ibañez has been doing extra work early in the morning with hitting coach Kevin Long and started to notice a difference.

"I was not feeling very good at all," Ibañez said. "But K-Long, he's diligent. He's the hardest-working guy I've ever seen. He sticks with you and sticks with it and stays positive. He's been very, very helpful."

Girardi said he detected a sigh of relief of sorts from Ibañez after the homer.

SEE PHOTOSLong Island in the pros: MLB edition

"I think that's the human factor that we all deal with," Girardi said. "We all want to do well, and when you don't do well, you get upset about it and you don't like it. I think you can put a little bit on your shoulders."

Return of RobertsonDavid Robertson, who suffered a bone bruise in his right foot March 8, is scheduled to pitch Sunday. "Hopefully I can get in there and have a good outing," said Robertson, who wasn't happy with his command before he got hurt.

Extra basesFrancisco Cervelli left in the seventh after being hit below the left knee. "It's fine, no problem," he said . . . Nick Swisher (right groin) took BP Friday and again Saturday and said he is doing "better" and could return to games soon . . . With the Yankees off Monday, Phil Hughes will throw in a minor- league game. CC Sabathia will start Tuesday against Toronto and Hiroki Kuroda goes Wednesday against Atlanta.