The first week of the season ended better than it began for the Yankees, though hopes of a sweep of the Royals disappeared with a furious eighth inning rally by Kansas City in its 6-4 win Sunday. Top two starters CC Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang failed to record a strikeout in a combined eight innings as the Orioles won the first two games of the season, but Sabathia quieted concerns with 7 2/3 dominant scoreless innings against the Royals in his subsequent start. Nick Swisher didn't arrive with the fanfare of Sabathia or Mark Teixeira, but Swisher hit .438 (7-for-16) in starting the final four games of the week -- including the last two at first base in place of the injured Mark Teixeira (sore left wrist) -- as he helped the Yankees to a 3-1 record in that span.
PLAYER NEWS: --3B Alex Rodriguez, who underwent right hip surgery March 9, took batting practice at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa and hit three home runs in 49 swings. Rodriguez is expected to return by mid-May.
--RHP David Robertson was recalled from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace injured OF Xavier Nady on the 25-man roster. Robertson wasted no time making his big-league season debut as he tossed two shutout innings in which he allowed two hits and struck out three. Robertson, 24, went 4-0 with a 5.34 ERA in 25 relief appearances for the Yankees last season.
--OF Xavier Nady was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury. Nady, who suffered the injury while throwing the ball in the seventh inning against the Rays on Tuesday, reportedly suffered a ligament tear and may need season-ending Tommy John surgery. It would be the second Tommy John surgery for Nady, who also underwent the procedure in 2001.
MEDICAL WATCH:
OF Xavier Nady (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 15. He might need a second Tommy John surgery.
DH Hideki Matsui (left knee surgery in September 2008) won't play in the field before June.
3B Alex Rodriguez (arthroscopic right hip surgery in March 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He resumed baseball activities April 13 and could be back as soon as late April. He could have more extensive surgery during the offseason, although he is indicating that might not be necessary.
ROTATION:
LHP CC Sabathia
RHP Chien-Ming Wang
RHP A.J. Burnett
LHP Andy Pettitte
RHP Joba Chamberlain
BULLPEN:
RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)
RHP Brian Bruney
LHP Damaso Marte
LHP Phil Coke
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP Jose Veras
RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
RHP David Robertson
CATCHERS:
Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
INFIELDERS:
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Robinson Cano
SS Derek Jeter
3B Cody Ransom
INF Ramiro Pena
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Johnny Damon
CF Brett Gardner
RF Nick Swisher
DH Hideki Matsui
OF Melky Cabrera
