On the Yankees beat

Bad news for the Yankees' outfield: it's not in great shape. Hideki Matsui's left knee has been bothering him for some time, and Joe Girardi is not comfortable playing him in the outfield. Now Johnny Damon is having trouble with the arch in his left foot. That began Sunday, and Damon sounds far less optimistic about it than Girardi does. Justin Christian was brought up from Triple-A and is starting in leftfield.

Damon, when asked about the possibility of going on the DL, said: "We definitely hope not. We're hoping a couple days will do it some good."
Damon first felt pain during BP Sunday, and it got worse during the course of that game. He continued to play, as Matsui was unavailable. Said Damon: "On Sunday, it was real bad in the arch, and the foot wen ta little numb. It wasn't good and it's not good now."
This is a particular problem because Damon has been playing terrifically of late.
Girardi said, "No, no, no, no," when asked if Damon was a DL possibility.
As for Matsui, Girardi said: "His knee has been a little sore, so we're probably not going to play him in the outfield here (in Pittsburgh). He'll be a pinch hitter extraordinaire."

Christian, 28, was batting .309 with 39 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 18 steals for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year. A former infielder, he has played all three outfield positions this season. He was never drafted -- not out of high school, Skyline Junior College, Auburn University or Southeastern Missouri State University. He was playing independent ball with the River City (Mo.) Rascals in the independent Frontier League when the Yankees signed him in 2004.
"It's kind of a dream come true," Christian said, "but I'm trying to keep it all in perspective right now."
Girardi said one reason Christian got the call over fellow Triple-A speedster Brett Gardner is that the Yankees face five lefties in the next six days. but also, Girardi said, "He's earned it."

The Yankees optioned Billy Traber back to Triple-A and designated Steven White (who was on the 40-man roster) for assignment.

No word yet on who will start the other game of Friday's doubleheader, though it is expected to be Sidney Ponson. Kyle Farnsworth is expected to be able to pitch tonight if necessary.

Lineup

Yankees
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Christian LF

Rasner RHP

Pirates
Nate McLouth CF
Freddy Sanchez 2B
Jason Bay LF
Ryan Doumit C
Adam LaRoche 1B
Doug Mientkiewicz RF
Jose Bautista 3B
Jack Wilson SS

Tom Gorzelanny LHP