--LHP CC Sabathia did his part to dispel rumors that an injury had affected him in his opening-day drubbing at Baltimore, telling reporters Wednesday the heating pad he used was a part of his normal routine. Sabathia had drawn attention for using a heating pad between innings, and the speculation grew due to his poor performance -- he gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings and failed to strike out a batter for the first time since 2005. But Sabathia said he was healthy and the heating pad was something he uses at times.
--LF Johnny Damon had an interesting explanation for why he didn't offer up more of an argument after a fan kept him from catching an Orioles home run Monday. Damon, who didn't gripe about switching from his long-time leadoff spot to the No. 2 role, basically believes there's no crying in baseball -- because he doesn't want to hear any at home. "I was hoping they would at least look at it," Damon said of the umpires reviewing the play. "I guess I would have to just throw a hissy fit, and I don't condone hissy fits. I don't want my daughter to see that and think it's OK to do that at home." --INF Ramiro Pena made the club as a utility player after turning some heads in Yankees camp by batting .295 to take advantage of the absences of stars Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Pena, 23, has always been know as a standout defensive shortstop but his ability to hit for average snagged him a spot after playing to fill in for Jeter (World Baseball Classic absence) and Rodriguez (hip surgery). "We were all so happy," a smiling Pena told reporters of himself and his family after hearing the news. Pena, 23, will likely have a short stay as long as Rodriguez returns in mid-May as expected, but his long-term prospects could be more interesting as reports have speculated as to whether he could become Jeter's successor at short.
BY THE NUMBERS: .433 -- Spring training batting average for Mark Teixeira, who is hoping to break his trend of slow starts in April in his first season with the Yankees.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It took me an inning and a half to find a scoreboard with the balls and strikes. Everything is so different." -- Derek Jeter after playing in the first exhibition game at the new Yankee Stadium.
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