CLEARWATER, FLA. — Joe Girardi announced one of the two worst-kept secrets in Yankees camp Friday.
Masahiro Tanaka will start Opening Day against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. The next rotation news will be when the manager officially installs Adam “Secretariat’’ Warren as the No. 5 starter.
“Tanaka, [Michael] Pineda, CC [Sabathia] and [Nathan] Eovaldi,’’ Girardi said would be the order his top four pitchers will work.
Though GM Brian Cashman all but anointed Warren the fifth starter Wednesday when he said there was a “Secretariat’’ in the race to replace Chris Capuano (strained quadriceps), Girardi wasn’t going that far. He agreed the right-hander who spent last year in the bullpen has pitched very well.
“We feel that is the way it works the best,’’ Girardi said of lining up his starters to face the Blue Jays in the first three games and the Red Sox for one. “That gives everyone a chance to be pretty ready. Tanaka will be on a pitch count the first time, not so much the second and third time. We think it’s an opportune time for him. It’s a spot where you go on six days a little bit more. They will all get six days before their first start.’’
Since Tanaka suffered a small tear in the right ulnar collateral ligament last July, the Yankees have been taking it easy on the $175 million investment and likely will continue to do that whenever they get a chance across a six-month season.
Using Sabathia, who drew the Opening Day assignment for the past six years, as the No. 3 starter was done with the long-range plan in place.
“It was just making sure he was ready,’’ Girardi said of Sabathia, who pitched in eight games last season before undergoing right knee surgery. “I felt I could have put him anywhere. It kind of gives everyone the extra day.’’
Sabathia will pitch in a minor league game Saturday and have one more exhibition game start before the regular season begins.
Pineda rewarded Joe Girardi making him the No. 2 starter by throwing five scoreless innings in a rain-shortened 10-0 Yankees victory over the Phillies at Bright House Field on Friday. The game was halted with one out in the sixth.
“Everything was good,’’ said Pineda, who allowed five hits and fanned five. “I have one more start. I am feeling good and I am ready. I am happy for the opportunity [to be the No. 2 starter]. I continue to work hard to help the team.’’
Girard isn’t ready to announce his batting order, but he isn’t worried about the possibility of hitting four lefty swingers in a row. If Stephen Drew bats eighth, Didi Gregorius ninth, Jacoby Ellsbury first and Brett Gardner second, that’s four straight from the left side.
“It’s not out of the question because I don’t worry about the top two against lefties, if those are the top two,’’ Girardi said. “Didi and Drew: Drew hit a tough lefty today, Didi has been swinging the bat good. It very possibly could be them.’’
Ellsbury was encouraged by his workout Friday at Steinbrenner Field.
“Today was a really good day,” Ellsbury said. “Whatever the next step is, I’m ready to do. It was basically a full workout for me today, I did BP, ran. I’m doing all the baseball activities.”
Girardi said: “All good, going in the right direction.’’
Girardi is shooting for Ellsbury to play in a minor league game Tuesday.