MLB

NETTLES BATTLING CANCER

TAMPA – Cancer has invaded the Yankees’ family again.

Former third baseman Graig Nettles is facing April 8 prostate surgery at Manhattan’s Sloan Kettering Hospital.

“I was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving,” Nettles told The Post yesterday. “They wanted to do it at the end of January but I wanted to come to [spring training]. They said that was OK because it’s slow moving and there was no rush to do it.”

A call from his 60-year-old brother Jim with the news that Jim had prostate cancer prompted Nettles to get checked.

“His doctor told him that it ran in the family and sure enough,” said Nettles.

Graig Nettles, 63, was a mainstay at third base for the late 1970s and early 1980s Yankees clubs. He spent 10 years in pinstripes, won two Gold Gloves and is a spring training instructor for the Yankees.

Former Yankees outfielder and current YES broadcaster Bobby Murcer was diagnosed with a brain tumor late in 2006 and had a recent scare that didn’t turn out to be serious.

***

Morgan Ensberg was put on the 40-man roster last night but that doesn’t guarantee the right-handed hitter being the Yankees’ second utility infielder. Ensberg, who could have opted out before midnight, is competing with Cody Ransom for a roster spot.

“It’s great, great news,” said Ensberg, who will be a right-handed hitting DH and the fourth first baseman if he makes the team. “The 40-man roster is the first step.”

Ensberg, who will make $1.75 million if he makes the team, went 0-for-4 in last night’s 2-1 win over the Rays at Legends Field. He is batting .270 (10-for-37).

“It’s still a competition and there are decisions to be made in the next eight days,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He can play first, third or DH and you can put him at second in a pinch. We face a lot of left-handed starters.”

Ensberg, who was assigned Paul O’Neill’s No. 21, would like a change. Wilson Betemit wears the number (14) Ensberg wore in Houston and he said he would make a bid for it.

To make room for Ensberg on the 40-man roster, Carl “American Idle” Pavano was placed on the 60-day DL. It’s the fourth straight year Pavano has been on the 60-day DL.

***

Girardi chatted with Don Zimmer before last night’s game against the Rays. Girardi and his former mentor were at the center of the Yankees-Rays controversy two weeks ago. Zimmer was talking to Yogi Berra near the Rays’ dugout and Girardi joined the conversation. Elliot Johnson, who crashed into Francisco Cervelli and fractured the catcher’s wrist and started the feud, was batting leadoff last night.

***

Because Andy Pettitte is slated to start against the Blue Jays in the second game of the season on April 2, the Yankees didn’t want him to face Toronto today. Instead, Pettitte will pitch in a minor league game today.