AJ is number two

I don’t mean he is fecal matter, although that’s debatable.

Girardi announced today that AJ will be the second starter behind CC, putting to rest rumors that Phil Hughes usurped the spot in the rotation. Hughes had been pitching before AJ this spring, but once the season begins he’ll move to the third slot.

Girardi:

"That’s what we brought AJ here to do. He struggled last year, but we believe he is going to be back."

I’m glad the team is going this route. Had AJ been bumped back in the rotation, especially for a 24-year-old kid, it might have messed with his head. The last thing the Yanks need is AJ losing his marbles after a pretty good spring training.

Plus, I think he’s going to have a great year. 2011 will be the Year of AJ, and all the doubters will once again jump back on the bandwagon. You heard it here first.

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Joba said his bullpen session went well today with no pain or discomfort, and if no issues arise with his oblique he could pitch in a game real soon. He said he feels he is ready for game action.

Pedro Feliciano also threw a bullpen today — at 80 percent — and said everything was gravy. He’ll throw another in a few days and see how he feels. He also downplayed his triceps injury and said it was normal for spring training.