CLEARWATER, Fla. — Not all the injury news was bad for the Yankees yesterday.
Boone Logan said he felt “great” after pitching a scoreless fifth in a 4-1 loss to the Phillies in his first appearance of the spring.
“I was pretty locked in with my pitches,” said the southpaw, who had been sidelined with a sore elbow before yesterday’s outing. “It was fun again.”
PHOTOS: YANKEES SPRING TRAINING
After giving up a single to Chase Utley, he retired Ryan Howard on a fly to right then struck out Domonic Brown and Laynce Nix — all lefties.
“That’s what I was expecting,” Logan said of his performance. “I wasn’t gonna have my first game be an excuse not to get the job done.”
Logan figures on getting in four more games before the end of spring training and was confident that would be enough for him to get ready for Opening Day.
“If I can stay the way I’m feeling right now, I’ll be in pretty good shape,” he said.
He said he intends to ice his arm after he pitches this season to avoid further soreness.
“I never did [it],” Logan said. “I was more of the theory of letting the blood flow through the arm, but the ice seems to be helping this spring. I’ll probably stick to it this year.”
And he said he doesn’t plan to work any less.
“I can’t,” Logan said. “If Joe [Girardi] asks for me, I’ve gotta go.”
Girardi said he was “pleased” with how Logan looked.
* Adam Warren, who could be the long reliever if Phil Hughes isn’t ready to start the season, started and gave up two runs in 3 2/3 innings. … Girardi said he wasn’t sure how he would handle Robinson Cano’s playing time when he returns from the WBC: “I’ve got to see how he’s doing physically. I know he’s playing a lot of nine-inning games, so maybe I’ll give him a day. He’s getting good at-bats.”
Brennan Boesch said he was aware of the interest from the Mets before he signed with the Yankees. And despite the potential for more playing time at Citi Field, he had no trouble choosing The Bronx.
“I would consider any team that called,” said Boesch, who went 0-for-3. “But as soon as the Yankees called, I knew that’s where I wanted to be, regardless of anything else.”
* Joba Chamberlain struck out the only batter he faced yesterday. … Kevin Youkilis saw more time at first base, with Ronnier Mustelier back at third.