A-Rod was back in the lineup last night, looking to follow up his dramatic season debut after hitting a three-run homer in his first at-bat.

"When he came in today, I said, 'How are you feeling?' He said, 'Great,'" manager Joe Girardi said. "I won't ask him to get in any more depth."

Before he went to the ballpark, Rodriguez did his daily 30-minute workout in the hotel swimming pool, something he will continue doing for most of the season. A-Rod said he might also do pool workouts after home games since the Yankees have the facilities to do so at the new Yankee Stadium.

"Alex has always been a worker and likes to do things in the morning, so that will be his routine," Girardi said. "We know that he'll do whatever it takes."

Although A-Rod reported no problems after playing nine innings at third base Friday night, the Yankees still have Ramiro Pena and Angel Berroa on the roster, giving them some insurance in case Rodriguez needs an occasional day off.

Girardi said the team would keep both utility infielders "for the time being. We've got to make sure Alex is okay, that he can bounce back. We're going to go on some turf and see how he bounces back, so for the time being, that's what we're going to do."

The Yankees called up right-hander Brett Tomko yesterday, adding an experienced arm to their inexperienced bullpen. Tomko, 36, was 1-0 with four saves and a 0.64 ERA for Triple-A Scranton, following up an impressive spring in which he posted a 1.17 ERA in 15 1/3 innings.

After losing out to Jonathan Albaladejo for the final bullpen spot at the end of spring training, Tomko asked the organization if he could work as the closer at Triple A, giving him late-inning, short-relief experience after spending the majority of his career as a starter.

"Not that I'm ever going to be a closer," Tomko said, "but I thought it would be a good way to get into the heart of the game, to pitch when it was on the line."

To make room for Tomko on the active roster, the Yankees optioned right-hander Dave Robertson to Scranton. Right-hander Eric Hacker was also designated for assignment, opening a spot on the 40-man roster for Tomko.

Chien-Ming Wang (adductor muscle weakness in his hips) will throw 100 pitches in a minor-league game on Tuesday, though the Yankees haven't yet decided where that will be. Wang threw five scoreless innings in an intrasquad game on Thursday, giving up three hits and striking out seven. ... Brian Bruney (elbow) played catch yesterday and reported no problems. Bruney will throw again Monday from 90 feet, then move on to long toss to test his injured arm.