BY SCOTT LAUBER
(Twitter: @ScottLauber)
TAMPA, Fla. -- Greetings from Steinbrenner Field, spring-training home of the Yankees, where Kyle Kendrick will make his second Grapefruit League appearance and first start. As y'all know, Kendrick is battling for the fifth-starter job with Jamie Moyer, so each of his spring starts will be noteworthy.
Before he takes the mound, though, we have a bit of news: As expected, Shane Victorino will start tomorrow night against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Charlie Manuel indicated yesterday that the center fielder likely would make his spring-training debut Tuesday night, but with the lineup posted in the clubhouse this morning, we know for sure. Victorino has been hampered by a sore right shoulder, but he's been taking batting practice and playing catch from longer distances. So, he's ready to test it out in a game situation.
Here's today's lineup against Yankees right-hander Javier Vazquez: SS Jimmy Rollins, 3B Placido Polanco, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard, LF Raul Ibanez, DH Jayson Werth, CF Ben Francisco, RF John Mayberry Jr., C Carlos Ruiz.
And the Yankees' lineup against Kendrick: CF Brett Gardner, DH Nick Johnson, 1B Mark Teixeira, C Jorge Posada, 2B Robinson Cano, RF Nick Swisher, LF Marcus Thames, 3B Kevin Russo, SS Ramiro Pena. (If you're wondering, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are playing in a split-squad game against the Pirates in Bradenton today.)
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In today's paper, we took a closer look at Francisco, also known as The Other Guy acquired in the Cliff Lee trade last July. After being the Indians' opening-day left fielder last season, he's now the Phillies' fourth outfielder, but he's cool with getting less playing time if it means getting a chance to reach the World Series again.
Also, within the notebook, we have more on Phillippe Aumont's retooled delivery.