That was a real game in Toronto.

On Tuesday night, March 10, in George M. Steinbrenner Field, Baker put Alex Gonzalez at shortstop, hoping every ball would be hit his way in an exhibition game against the New York Yankees.

It was Gonzalez's first game in the field, a test of his surgically fixed left knee that kept him out of the 2008 season.

The fact Gonzalez was smiling after five innings of activity says it all.

"I'm excited," he said at least three times. "I'm right at the point where I want to be - no pain and able to play."

Gonzalez covered second base on three throws from the outfield, made a spectacular short-hop backhanded stop to start a 6-4-3 double play and made one other routine play.

And his knee did not collapse.

"Finally, I got to play on defense, and it was exciting," he said. "Now I feel good, feel real good. I look better running and I feel comfortable in the field."

Before the game, Baker said the major test will see if Gonzalez can stand on his legs for lengthy periods. He passed that test, too.

"I felt much better running to first and I haven't felt pain the last couple of games and I think I have my speed back," he said. "Not tired. A lot looser the last couple of games. I'm where I want to be."

It wasn't awful, but Nick Masset needs to be better if he wants to stay in the chase for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. He gave up three runs and eight hits (one homer) in four innings. The Yankees whipped the Reds, 7-1.