Workhorse Feliciano may start on DL

TAMPA, Fla. -- There's a reason sports superlatives often are accompanied by phrases such as "on paper."

An example came Saturday morning when Yankees manager Joe Girardi said lefthanded reliever Pedro Feliciano, one of the reasons many believe the Yankees have the best bullpen in baseball, could start the season on the disabled list.

"He's supposed to play catch [Sunday]," Girardi said. "We'll probably know by Tuesday."

Feliciano has not pitched since March 9 because of soreness in the muscle where his left shoulder socket meets the armpit. He has thrown several bullpen sessions since then, most recently Wednesday. Said Girardi, "When he came in, it didn't feel great."

If Feliciano starts the season on the disabled list, possible replacements are righthanders Romulo Sanchez, Luis Ayala and Mark Prior, who has not pitched in a major-league game since 2006 but has stood out throughout spring training.

"I guess anything's conceivable," Girardi said of Prior. "Each time he's went out, his stuff has gotten better . . . We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves."

But there is worry with Feliciano, who has led the majors in appearances each of the last three years. "It's a muscle back here," Girardi said, pointing to the back of his arm. "Muscles heal, but yeah, it's a concern because you want him Opening Day."

Outfield pain

Outfielder Curtis Granderson (right oblique strain) hit off a batting tee Saturday, a positive sign, though he categorized himself as "50-50" for Opening Day. Still, "I feel like everything is fine in terms of avoiding the DL," he said.

Outfielder Chris Dickerson, acquired Friday from the Brewers for Sergio Mitre -- partly because of the uncertainty surrounding Granderson's injury -- started Saturday in leftfield and had three hits. But Dickerson, 28, left the game in the seventh with cramping and spasms in his left hamstring. "He was cramping up a little bit this morning and did not inform anyone," Girardi said in a tone suggesting he wasn't pleased. "We'll know a lot more tomorrow. Hopefully, it's just cramps."

Girardi acknowledged Dickerson's silence probably had to do with "trying to make a good first impression."

Looking good

Infielder Eric Chavez, signed to a minor-league contract, can opt out of the deal and become a free agent if he's not informed by Monday that he's on the roster. "I think it looks good, but you never know until it happens," said Chavez, who is hitting .410 with a .439 OBP.

General manager Brian Cashman won't add Chavez until necessary but said: "I don't think he can look any better than he looks. He's done everything he needs to do."

Extra bases

Russell Martin was supposed to catch CC Sabathia's three-inning minor-league start -- Sabathia allowed no runs and five hits -- but Girardi said the catcher's left hamstring was a little "stiff." Girardi said Martin will catch Monday . . . Alex Rodriguez, who has been crushing the ball, hit his sixth homer, a two-run shot off Kevin Correia, the Pirates' Opening Day starter.