Yankees-Devil Rays 1:15 on YES (3/30)

The Yankees wrap up the Florida portion of Spring Training when they host the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today at 1:15 ET. After the game the Yankees will head to Arizona for a two game exhibition series with the Diamondbacks.

Mike Mussina get his final pre-season tune up today for New York, while Edwin Jackson takes the hill for Tampa. The Yankees knocked Jackson around in a game this past weekend.

Notes

Randy Johnson wrapped up his spring work on Wednesday with a 5-inning outing against the Phillies' Clearwater 'A' team. The Unit allowed 3 runs, including a 2-run home run to J.J. Johnson, but didn't seem concerned. "If you make a mistake to even a young kid, he's going to hit a home run," said the left-hander. "I don't have the room to make any mistakes from this point out, but you know I will, because that's the nature of the game." Johnson's opening day start will be the 13th of this career.


Keith McDonald, recently acquired as insurance at the catcher position, was reassigned to the minor league camp leaving 36 players remaining with the big club.

Scott Proctor was originally ticketed to start the year at Columbus, converting to a starter. But injuries to Carl Pavano and Aaron Small, and an outstanding spring has Proctor heading north with the team. Proctor has allowed just 2 eared runs in 17 innings pitched - that translates to a 1.06 ERA.

Update 2:15 pm

The Yankees trail the Devil Rays 2-1 in the 4th inning. Russell Branyan opened the scoring for the D-Rays, belting a solo home run off of Yankees' starter Mike Mussina. The Rays added another run in the third on a truple by Carl Crawford and an RBI ground out by Jorge Cantu. The Yankees got one back in the third when Johnny Damon singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a lined single to right by Derek Jeter. The two then pulled off a double steal with Damon stealing home.