Iwakuma 00740314

02/15/2008 9:37 PM ET
Notes: Current roster pleases Posada
Catcher endorses Yanks' offseason moves, including manager
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com







TAMPA, Fla. -- As Yankees catcher Jorge Posada checked in at his Spring Training locker, he didn't mind acknowledging the people who weren't around him, for one reason or another.
His one caveat -- he'd rather not make a habit of it.

While Andy Pettitte's teammates continue to field inquiries concerning the hurler's admission of using human growth hormone and testimony impacting Roger Clemens, at least the pink elephant in the room will arrive in camp on Monday and filter into the starting rotation.

Posada had been among the most outspoken Yankees stumping for Johan Santana, believing that the team needed a true No. 1 starter. But now that Santana is out of the American League, ready to bring his act across the Triboro Bridge, Posada said the Yankees will be just fine.

"It was going to take a lot to get him," Posada said. "I'm happy with the way we stand. We've got the young guys, and giving away Melky Cabrera -- for me, there was no way you can lose your center fielder. Johan is a great pitcher, but to lose Melky Cabrera or [Phil] Hughes in a package, it's tough."

At one point, Posada might have even wound up as one of the absent persons that other Yankees were talking about.

A free agent after a career campaign in '07, Posada flirted with the idea of testing free agency before the Yankees "made it really tough to go anywhere else," locking up the 36-year-old catcher with a four-year, $52.4 million deal.

Set in pinstripes financially and figuratively, Posada acknowledges this Yankees Spring Training will be different than the rest, especially because of the new man at the helm.

Manager Joe Girardi famously helped mold Posada into a serviceable big league backstop, even though Posada's success eventually led to Girardi's being replaced as New York's starting catcher. Posada expects that sort of work ethic to be a major influence as Girardi takes over the managerial post.

"Joe Girardi brings a little different [style]," Posada said. "He's a hands-on guy. He's going to be a little more critical. He's going to be a little tougher on us than we've had in the past.

"Whenever something was going wrong, he would come up and tell you. That's the way he is. It's good to have a guy like that. That's the way he approaches things -- he'll tell you right away."

Checking in from afar: Several Yankees have made contact with Pettitte in recent days to see how he is doing, including Girardi, who said he spoke to the left-hander on Thursday evening.

"He's doing good," Girardi said. "Obviously, he's been through a pretty traumatic offseason."

Pettitte's distractions weren't just limited to the Mitchell Report and his testimony for Congress. Pettitte's 13-year-old son, Josh, broke his arm and sustained head lacerations that required about 100 stitches in a four-wheeler accident after Christmas.

Still, Girardi said that he expects Pettitte to be in camp on Monday, when he'll be greeted by a clubhouse ready to embrace him. Posada said that he doesn't believe that Pettitte's admission of HGH use will be a season-long distraction.

"I think it's pretty much the same as [Jason] Giambi," Posada said, referring to the slugger's admission before the BALCO grand jury.

"He's going through a lot, he told the truth and he went on," Posada added. "Jason did the same thing. Once the season started, he could put it behind him. All of us here have to do the same thing as we did with Jason -- try to help him out and be there for him."

Posada, who caught Clemens more than any other catcher, said he also stands by his former batterymate.

"I'm supportive," Posada said. "He says he never took it, and I'm behind him 100 percent. Rocket is one of my favorite teammates ever. It doesn't take anything away from what he did. For me, he's the best pitcher I ever caught, and it doesn't change that."

Pettitte will throw a bullpen session Saturday to keep up with his teammates before he arrives at spring camp.

Mo ready to go: Mariano Rivera was back at his familiar locker stall on Friday, wearing a smile and with absolutely no plans to wear the road gray uniform pants hanging on the rack.

The Yankees don't pay Rivera to pitch Grapefruit League innings on the road, not when he can get all of his work done right within the Tampa city limits.

Rivera plans to throw off a mound for the first time on Saturday, when he'll get a closer look at some of the teammates whose assignment it will be to deliver the ball to the ninth inning.

"I think we have a good bunch of guys," Rivera said.

Rivera touted the acquisition of LaTroy Hawkins, signed as a free agent in December, and also said that he believes Joba Chamberlain will see time in the bullpen setting up. Girardi said nothing has been resolved yet, but Rivera said he's at least hoping to avoid pitching for more than three-out saves in '08.

"As closers, we all want to throw at least the ninth inning," Rivera said. "But I wish I'd only throw to one hitter. It doesn't matter, as long as you keep yourself strong."

The legend of Joba: Rivera isn't the only one hoping for superstar returns from Chamberlain this season. On the first day of on-field workouts at Legends Field, numerous fans were spotted wearing the "Joba Rules" T-shirts from last season -- such are the spoils when a rookie comes out of nowhere to post a 0.38 ERA.

Those numbers aren't going to be duplicated over the course of a full season, and Chamberlain's role hasn't even been completely defined yet. But don't tell that to the general public.

"It's amazing, the impression that people have and what they think he's going to do," Girardi said. "He still has work to do to be a power pitcher. He's really only pitched for a year professionally, and obviously, he was very successful. But we're preparing him to be a starter in the big leagues and an effective starter for a long time."

Come on down: Girardi said that he has not yet had a chance to speak with Hank Steinbrenner, but he is expecting to soon meet with the Yankees' senior vice president for a chat.

"I'm sure we'll talk on a regular basis," Girardi said, "and that's great. I love people who have a passion for the game."

Bombers bits: Hideki Matsui, rehabbing his right knee, took swings and shagged fly balls in the outfield on Friday, reporting no problems. "I can do everything, little by little," Matsui said. ... Shelley Duncan is the other Yankees position player in camp on rehab. ... Girardi played ball with his children -- Serena, 8, and Dante, 6 -- on the field after workouts on Friday. Coaches Mike Harkey and Bobby Meacham helped out by fielding barehand grounders.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.