MLB

Joseph plays first and second for Yankees in doubleheader

CLEVELAND — Corban Joseph played both ends of yesterday’s doubleheader. It didn’t go exactly as he thought it would.

“My first start being at first base, I never thought that would happen,” said Joseph, who had never played the position before this year and started just three games there with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “It was kind of overwhelming, but there’s an opportunity and when you get called to do the job, you make your best effort.”

Though everything didn’t go smoothly at first base in the first game, or at second base in the second game, he survived unscathed in the field and doubled to lead off the Yankees’ six-run seventh in their 7-0 win in the nightcap.

“He played 18 innings and started a big rally for us,” manager Joe Girardi said.

Joseph’s stint with the Yankees will be a short one. He was called up as a 26th player — a roster allowance of one extra body for doubleheaders — and will be sent back down today.

* Catcher Austin Romine picked up his first hit of the season, but has struggled since being recalled to replace Francisco Cervelli (fractured right hand). He said it has been a difficult transition not playing all the time.

“It’s a little hard,” Romine said. “I’m used to a routine and being the guy who comes in knowing what I’m doing every single day. It’s my job right now. [Chris] Stewart knows the team better.”

But he’ll take his current backup role instead of being in the minors.

“The food’s better up here,” Romine said.

* Girardi said Ivan Nova’s health issue is around the left side of his upper back. The right-hander will not throw in Tampa for at least a couple of days, and may make another rehab start.

* Kevin Youkilis (lumbar spine sprain) has resumed limited on-field work in Tampa, playing catch and fielding grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt at third base. … Alex Rodriguez, coming back from hip surgery, continued hitting drills in an indoor cage and jogged as he started his second week of workouts at the Yankees’ complex. … Mark Teixeira (right wrist) continued taking batting practice and running the bases.

* Joba Chamberlain (right oblique strain) is expected to report to Triple-A today to being a rehab assignment.

* The Indians presented Mariano Rivera with a gold record of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” between games.

“I got a gold record without singing,” Rivera said. “I appreciate it. It shows a lot of respect. To me, that’s priceless. I didn’t announce my retirement for things.”

* CC Sabathia will go up against Felix Hernandez in tonight’s series opener against the Mariners at Yankee Stadium. Sabathia said he didn’t alter his routine after throwing just four innings in his last start, when he was removed following a rain delay in Denver.