--DH Hideki Matsui has "taken a step backward," manager Joe Girardi told reporters and could face a trip to the disabled list. Matsui missed his third game of the last four due to problems with the left knee that was operated on after last season. Matsui had fluid in the knee and Girardi acknowledged the club might have to consider a move to the DL if things don't change soon. "It's somewhat discouraging," said Girardi, whose team is already missing RF Xavier Nady, possibly for the season. "...It's something we're going to have to deal with throughout the season because of where he's at in his career with his knee."
--1B Juan Miranda was called up from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) and RHP Dave Robertson was demoted. Robertson had been called up after RF Xavier Nady was placed on the disabled list but with Nady out and DH Hideki Matsui possibly facing time there as well the Yankees needed more depth on the bench. Backup 1B Nick Swisher should be pushed into fulltime outfield duty. --C Jorge Posada missed the final game at the old Yankee Stadium last September, when his backup, Jose Molina, hit the last home run at the Stadium. But Posada made his own bit of history Thursday when he hit the first home run at the new Stadium with a solo shot in the fifth inning. Posada is hitting .267 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 30 at-bats.
--OF Johnny Damon had the first hit at the new Yankee Stadium with a single in the first inning. Damon, who finished 1-for-5, has at least one hit in six of the eight games in which he has played this season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Strikeouts by LHP CC Sabathia in his first start for the Yankees in the season opener at Baltimore. He took the loss after giving up six runs in 4 1/3 innings. However, he then allowed zero walks he had in his second start April 11 against the Royals, when he whiffed six in 7 2/3 shutout innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "My patience is good right now. Whatever happened last year, I'm leaving in the past." -- 2B Robinson Cano.
